LES ACTIVITÉS NUCLÉAIRES : RAYONNEMENTS IONISANTS ET RISQUES POUR LA SANTÉ ET L’ENVIRONNEMENT To continue grading the regulatory requirements to the radiation exposure risks, all activities using electrical devices emitting X-rays used for veterinary diagnostic radiology have been subject to the registration system since July 2021 (see point 2.4.2), with the exception of dog-related activities which remain eligible for the notification system). Consequently, only a few high-risk activities (brachytherapy, external-beam radiotherapy and interventional radiology) stemming from the medical sector are still subject to licensing. The devices used in the veterinary sector are sometimes derived from the medical sector. However, the profession is increasingly adopting new devices specially developed to meet its own specific needs. With regard to veterinary facilities, the administrative situation has been continuously improving for a number of years now. At the end of 2025, ASNR counted nearly 6,400 notifications, registrations or licences, that is to say virtually all of the veterinary facilities identified as using ionising radiation in France. Among the veterinary activities, those performed on large animals (mainly horses) outside specialised veterinary practices (under “field” conditions), are considered to be those with the most significant radiation exposure risks, more specifically for persons external to the veterinary practice taking part in these procedures (horse owners and stable lads). During its various oversight actions (carried out as and when required or during thematic campaigns) covering all veterinary activities involving ionising radiation, ASNR has seen the results of the efforts the veterinary bodies have made in the last few years to comply with the regulations and has noted good field practices in the inspected veterinary facilities, including in particular: ∙worker occupational exposure monitoring by passive dosimetry; ∙the virtually systematic use of personal protective equipment; ∙an optimisation approach to the associated operations in nearly all the facilities using ionising radiation for performing diagnostic radiology on large animals. 1. Klystron: speed modulation tube used to create or amplify microwave currents. The profession must nevertheless remain attentive to the following points: ∙the initial and periodic verifications of the radiation devices and the radiology premises; ∙the radiological zoning, particularly when an operation area has to be set up; ∙the radiation protection of people external to the veterinary facilities who may participate in the diagnostic procedures; ∙the formalisation and traceability of the documents proving due compliance with the regulatory requirements relating to radiation protection; ∙updating, as soon as necessary, the administrative situation of professionals (e.g. change of equipment model) or information (e.g. change of radiation protection advisor, legal entity representative) that must be sent to ASNR. There are also some (rare) cases of veterinary facilities in which the radiation protection organisation is highly unsatisfactory. These shortcomings can lead ASNR to take more stringent or even enforcement measures, if a “soft” approach has no effect. Over the last few years ASNR has also observed large-scale recourse to Radiation Protection Organisations (RPOs) external to the veterinary facilities to fulfil the function of Radiation Protection Expert (RPE) in these facilities. Such outsourcing is possible, but must not reduce the sense of responsibility of the veterinary surgeons, who retain prime responsibility for appropriate radiation protection in their facilities. The strong nationwide commitment of the profession to harmonising practices, raising awareness, training student veterinary surgeons and drafting “framework documents” and guides is considered very positive by ASNR, which has regular interchanges with the profession’s national bodies (more particularly the veterinary radiation protection commission). These interchanges enable ASNR to take the particularities of the veterinary environment into account when defining its doctrine. For example, in 2024 they led ASN to introduce an administrative simplification for non-salaried veterinary surgeons (private practice associate, locum or consultant veterinary surgeon) who use the diagnostic devices provided by a veterinary facility. This simplification, which takes into account low radiation exposure risks, is therefore not applicable to activities that are subject to the licensing system and present substantial risks. Local relations between regional representatives of the profession and the ASNR regional divisions are also encouraged, in particular to resolve difficulties with certain uncooperative professionals or those with serious shortcomings in their radiation protection organisation or administrative situation. 1.3.3 – The other uses of electrical devices emitting ionising radiation This category covers all the electrical devices emitting ionising radiation other than those mentioned above and which are not concerned by the licensing, registration or notification exemption criteria set out in Article R. 1333‑106 of the Public Health Code. This category includes, for example, devices generating ionising radiation but not used for this property, namely ion implanters, electron-beam welding equipment, klystrons(1), certain lasers, certain electrical devices such as high-voltage fuse tests. Lastly, some applications use particle accelerators (see point 3.3.1). 0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000 3,500 4,000 4,500 5,000 5,500 6,000 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 440 5,074 15 388 5,371 122 161 5,605 219 116 5,456 335 77 5,875 430 Number of veterinary authorisations Number of veterinary notifications Number of veterinary registrations GRAPH 4 Use of electrical devices generating ionising radiation for veterinary activities ASNR Report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2025 237 01 05 02 06 03 04 09 10 07 11 13 08 12 A / Z
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