ALARA meaning

ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) describes the optimisation duty in radiation protection: in any work or medical use involving ionising radiation, exposures and discharges must be reduced as far below applicable dose limits as is reasonably achievable, consistent with the purpose of the activity and taking account of available technology, its costs, benefits to public health and safety, and wider societal and socioeconomic factors. The concept originates in ICRP recommendations and is reflected in the Euratom Basic Safety Standards (Directive 2013/59/Euratom). In UK law the duty is implemented principally through the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 (and the medical exposure regime), which require exposures to be kept “as low as reasonably practicable” (ALARP). Although the acronym ALARA is not the statutory term, UK practice aligns with it; environmental permitting also applies “best available techniques” to radioactive discharges. In Ireland, the Directive is implemented through national regulations enforced by the EPA, which adopt the ALARA optimisation principle. Across England & Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland, usage is broadly consistent. ALARA guides licensing, compliance and risk assessments for nuclear, industrial and medical activities, and sits alongside enforceable dose limits and justification/limitation requirements.