The activities of a consulting radiation expert (CRE) in this category extends to assessing diagnostic imaging apparatus for compliance with the requirements as set out in Radiation Standard 6: Compliance requirements for ionising radiation apparatus used in diagnostic imaging - Parts 1-6.
The type of apparatus that a CRE may assess depends on the conditions of accreditation that the EPA has issued to the CRE, which is based on the qualifications of the applicant.
Only an EPA-accredited CRE may assess apparatus and issue a certificate of compliance verifying that the apparatus complies with the mandatory requirements of Standard 6.
Radiation Standard 6
- Standard 6 tests for part 1 must be conducted by following the test protocols found in the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists, mammography quality control manual (2002).
- Standard 6 test protocols in parts 2-4 and 6 sets out the basic test protocols that must be followed by CREs in the assessment of radiation apparatus for compliance with the mandatory requirements of Parts 2-4 and 6 of Radiation Standard 6.
- Standard 6 part 5 test protocols have been provided in part 5 as a guide and should not be taken as the only method of testing. Some protocols may not be suitable for a particular vendor and/or model of computed tomography apparatus. Vendor’s test protocols should be used as guidance where necessary.
- The current (2024) edition of Radiation Standard 6: Compliance requirements for ionising radiation apparatus used in diagnostic imaging includes:
- Part 1: Mammography (PDF 396KB)
- Part 2: Radiography (medical) and bone mineral densitometry (PDF 667KB)
- Part 3: Dentistry (including maxillofacial) (PDF 589KB)
- Part 4: Fluoroscopy (PDF 1.4MB)
- Part 5: Computed tomography (PDF 530KB)
- Part 6: Veterinary science (radiography and fluoroscopy) (PDF 677KB)
Fixed radiation gauges
Radiation Guideline 3: Recommendations for minimum standards and safety requirements for fixed radiation gauges (PDF 75KB) and the Code of practice and safety guide for safe use of fixed radiation gauges, RPS 13 must be followed by appropriately qualified CREs in the assessment of fixed radiation gauges.
An accredited person will also need to comply with relevant provisions of the recommendations and the Code, except in so far as any provision is inconsistent with the Protection from Harmful Radiation Act 1990 and/or the regulations under that Act.
Mutual recognition of registered persons from another Australian state or territory or New Zealand
A person who is registered in an equivalent occupation in another state or territory or New Zealand may be entitled to apply to the EPA for a NSW CRE accreditation under the mutual recognition scheme.
Note: CRE accreditation is currently excluded from the automatic mutual recognition scheme in NSW
Certificate of compliance
CREs accredited under the Radiation Control Act to assess radiation apparatus for the purpose of certifying compliance with the requirements of Standard 6 must only use an electronic certificate of compliance approved by the EPA for reporting compliance. A copy of an electronic certificate of compliance can be obtained by e-mailing dgrp.licensing@epa.nsw.gov.au.
- For a copy of an electronic certificate of compliance email dgrp.licensing@epa.nsw.gov.au.