[Introduction to the new roentgen ordinance]

Quality assurance (within the larger framework of quality control) is a tool introduced by the new Federal German roentgen ordinance to optimise image quality and dosage in x-ray diagnostics. Over and above this, the new ordinance comprises new regulations governing expert knowledge in radiation protection, as well as changed rules on the use of x-rays and on the licensing or certification of x-ray equipment. In addition, a new dosage concepts has been introduced on the basis of the effective dose on the lines of the recommendations by the IRCP; as a result, the definitions of radiation protection areas and of dosage limit values had to be revised and reworded.