Licensing in the Italian regulatory system in the use of radioisotopes

The regulatory system in force in Italy concerning radioisotopes is based on two statutes dating back to 1962 and 1964; the latter is based on a 1962 Directive of European Community, of which Italy is a Member. European Directives of 1980, 1984, 1989, 1990 and 1992 will be enacted into Italian legislation by January 1st, 1996. In the statutes in force the basic rules are established governing the holding and use of, trading in and disposal of radioactive material. These activities are subject to notification and licensing. Notification and licensing are based on two tiered system: a local, regional or provincial level and a national one, depending on the intersection of a number of parameters. The role of the governmental organs, state agencies such as ANPA (National Agency for Environmental Protection), local administrative bodies, their competence and their powers are discussed with regard to notification and licensing.