Heads of European Radiological Protection Competent Authorities (HERCA)

Heads of European Radiological Protection Competent Authorities (HERCA)

HERCA is an association within which the heads of the European competent authorities for radiation protection jointly make every effort to continuously identify common issues and solutions relating to protection against ionizing radiation.

The aim of HERCA is to contribute to achieving a high level of radiation protection in Europe. In order to achieve this aim, HERCA has set itself the following objectives:

- building and maintaining a European network of the heads of the European competent authorities for radiation protection, with the aim of involving all the competent authorities in Europe;

- promoting the exchange of ideas and experience, by avoiding the duplication of activities with other organizations and associations and by sharing best practices;

- developing a common approach to radiation protection and to the manner of its transposition into legislation;

- discussing and, where possible, reaching a consensus on significant regulatory topics.

HERCA also carries out its work in annual plenary meetings and in working groups that address specific topics: the Working Group on medical applications, the Working Group on veterinary applications, the Working Group on research, industrial sources and practices, the Working Group on natural radiation sources, the Working Group on emergency situations and the Working Group on education and training in radiation protection.