Radioprotection 2026, 61( 2), 156 – 165 © P. Lestaevel et al., Published by EDP Sciences 2026 https:// doi. org / 10.1051 / radiopro / 2025022
Available online at: www. radioprotection. org
ARTICLE
Information system for monitoring occupational exposure to ionizing radiation( SISERI) in France
P. Lestaevel *, T. Bah, H. Roy, D. Lin, F. Rousseau, E. Bauduin, M. Pultier and Y. Billarand
Division of Health Research and Expertise, Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Authority( ASNR), 31 Avenue de la Division Leclerc, 92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France.
Received: 16 April 2025 / Accepted: 19 August 2025
Abstract – A comprehensive analysis of the Information System for Monitoring Exposure to Ionizing Radiation( SISERI) in France is presented, focusing on its origin, its evolution, regulatory framework, and recent developments in occupational radiation exposure. Established in 2005, SISERI has undergone significant transformations, including a redesign in 2023 aimed at enhancing data accuracy and accessibility. The study analyzes trends in occupational exposure from 2015 to 2023 across various sectors, including medical, nuclear, and natural radiation exposure. Results reveal fluctuations in the number of monitored workers and average annual doses, reflecting changes in workplace practices and external factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Some cases of exceeding regulatory dose limits of 20 mSv / year should be mentioned, mainly in the medical field. Moreover, French dosimetry data are compared to European( ESOREX) and international( UNSCEAR), noting the harmonization efforts through ISO 24426 to improve data comparability. Despite the challenges associated with transitioning to unified methods, SISERI’ s data collection aligns with these standards, positioning France as a significant contributor to international radiation protection efforts. Overall, the study underscores the importance of robust monitoring systems in ensuring the safety and health of radiation workers. Radiation protection practices for workers will adapt / evolve in the coming years, especially with emerging technologies in medical applications and the challenges posed by aging nuclear facilities.
Keywords: Worker / occupational exposure / average annual dose / radiological protection / ESOREX platform
1 Introduction
Given the identified risks of ionizing radiations( IR), the radiation protection of workers was included in the French regulations in 1967, then reinforced in 1975 for the nuclear industry and, in 1986 for the medical sector. Both legislations( laws) and regulations( decrees and ministerial orders) were overhauled during the final transposition into French law in 2003 of the Directives 96 / 29 and 97 / 43 Euratom and later in 2018 of Directive 2013 / 59 Euratom( Council Directive, 2013), directives taking into account the recommendations from international organizations such as the International Commission on Radiological Protection( ICRP) and the International Atomic Energy Agency( IAEA). It is worth noticing that the French laws and decrees related to IR are transcribed into the Labor Code since 2003, facilitating the access and the comprehension of any new or modified legislative and regulatory disposition.
* Corresponding author: philippe. lestaevel @ asnr. fr
Since dosimetry is a significant part of the radiological protection of workers, the French regulations made it mandatory to all organizations and companies where workers were exposed to IR to record doses. Initially dosimetric data were those of passive dosimetry with films on a monthly basis for category A workers and quarterly for category B personnel. The principle of traceability in monitoring workers’ exposure was established with a regulatory order( Legifrance, 1968) taken in application of a decree of 1967( Legifrance, 1967), which for the first time mandated the compulsory transmission of workers’ dosimetric surveillance results to a central body responsible for their archiving. This was initially managed by the Central Service for Protection against Ionizing Radiation( SCPRI) created in 1956 and after 1994 by the Office for Protection against Ionizing Radiation( OPRI) which replaced SCPRI. This collection at the national level permitted to set up statistical data, to identify and manage the situations of doses exceeding the regulatory limits and to establish the dosimetric career of a worker whenever necessary, e. g., in case of suspicion of professional disease. Collection and transmission of data on paper sheets represented a huge amount of work
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