Council Directive 2013/59/Euratom of 5 December 2013 laying down basic safety standards for protection against the dangers arising from exposure to ionising radiation, and repealing Directives 89/618/Euratom, 90/641/Euratom, 96/29/Euratom, 97/43/Euratom and 2003/122/Euratom (c. 59)

ANNEX XII Information to members of the public about health protection measures to be applied and steps to be taken in the event of an emergency as referred to in Articles 70 and 71

A. Prior information to the members of the public likely to be affected by an emergency

1. Basic facts about radioactivity and its effects on human beings and on the environment;

2. The various types of emergency covered and their consequences for the public and the environment;

3. Emergency measures envisaged to alert, protect and assist the public in the event of an emergency;

4. Appropriate information on action to be taken by the public in the event of an emergency.

B. Information to be provided to the affected members of the public in the event of an emergency

1. On the basis of the emergency response plan previously drawn up in the Member States, the members of the public actually affected in the event of an emergency shall rapidly and regularly receive:

(a)

information on the type of emergency which has occurred and, where possible, its characteristics (e.g. its origin, extent and probable development);

(b)

advice on protection, which, depending on the type of emergency, may:

(i)

cover the following: restrictions on the consumption of certain foodstuffs and water likely to be contaminated, simple rules on hygiene and decontamination, recommendations to stay indoors, distribution and use of protective substances, evacuation arrangements;

(ii)

be accompanied, where necessary, by special warnings for certain groups of the members of the public;

(c)

announcements recommending cooperation with instructions or requests by the competent authority.

2. If the emergency is preceded by a pre-alarm phase, the members of the public likely to be affected shall already receive information and advice during that phase, such as:

(a)

an invitation to the members of the public concerned to tune in to relevant communication channels;

(b)

preparatory advice to establishments with particular collective responsibilities;

(c)

recommendations to occupational groups particularly affected.

3. This information and advice shall be supplemented, if time permits, by a reminder of the basic facts about radioactivity and its effects on human beings and on the environment.