[The new x-ray ordinance--responsibilities of those answerable for radiation protection and their delegates, expert knowledge].

The Federal German X-Ray Regulations as amended on 8 January 1987 represent a revision and reformation of the old regulations of 1 March 1973. The new version is largely based on the requisite conclusions resulting from the recommendations made by the International Radiation Protection Commission and the standards of the EC derived therefrom. In this manner the Federal German regulations have been adjusted to conform with European legislation. Other changes effected in the regulations concern mainly the delineation of the responsibilities of the owner of the x-ray equipment concerned against the responsibilities of the safety delegates appointed by him, these responsibilities being limited to decisions within the area of the owner's company or medical practice, as the case may be. Further reformulations refer to the extension of expert knowledge in radiation safety, to the required proof thereof and experience in the requisite field of application, to the supervision and responsibility to be exercised by expert physicians and to the training of medical assistant staff.