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Ionising radiation may be of natural origin, such as cosmic radiation, various radioactive minerals and elements, radon in water and the nature or from artificial sources, such as X-ray equipment and computed tomography (CT scans), industrial radiography and nuclear reactors.
The Radiation Inspection and Control Service (RICS) was established in 2002 and operates as one of the sections of the Department of Labour Inspection (Radiation Protection Section) of the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance, under the Protection against Ionising Radiation and Nuclear and Radiological Safety and Security Law of 2018.
RICS implements legislation on radiation protection and nuclear safety and security, including the management of radioactive waste, radioactivity environmental monitoring, radiological/nuclear emergency preparedness and response, and control of transport of radioactive materials. This legislation defines the general framework of obligations and procedures for authorisation of all sources of ionising radiation and of practices involving the use or may cause exposure to ionising radiation, as well as the means of protection from risks arising due to exposure to ionising radiation, and gives the power to the Council of Ministers to issue relevant regulations.
Under this legislation, the Minister of Labour and Social Insurance is the competent authority in Cyprus for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety and Security and RICS is discharged with the implementation and enforcement of the legislation.
More information on the roles, responsibilities and activities of RICS can be found in the following links:
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