ICRP: past, present, and future

The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) is a premier international organisation for the protection of workers, patients, and the public against ionising radiation. It was established in 1928 to advance, for the public benefit, the science of radiological protection, with its work in the early years focusing mainly on occupational exposure in medicine. The name 'International Commission on Radiological Protection' was adopted in 1950 to reflect the wider and more diverse areas of work that were being undertaken. ICRP has published 13 sets of general recommendations and these form the basis of radiation safety standards worldwide. ICRP consists of the Main Commission and five standing committees. There are 84 official members of the Main Commission and Committees 1-5, but more than 200 members who work with ICRP through its task groups. ICRP has developed a strategic plan for 2011-2017 and has made progress with some of its initiatives. These include establishing close liaison with other radiological protection organisations, responding to the needs and concerns of the radiological protection community, and identifying areas of work that require scrutiny of science and practice to produce relevant recommendations. This strategy means that ICRP will continue to be a leader in radiological protection for many years to come.