1. ICRP
  2. ICRP History
  3. Main Commission Meetings
  4. Copenhagen 1953 Summary

ICRP Main Commission Meeting

1953 July 16,18 Copenhagen, Denmark



The Commission accepted the amendments given in paper ICRP/53/16 which were related to rules governing the selection and work of ICRP.

Matters related to the Report to International Executive Committee were discussed and several items were agreed upon. Dr. Cipriani was nominated as Chairman of Sub-Committee on radioisotopes and disposal of radioactive waste. The Scientific Secretary was also requested by the Commission to produce a shortened version of the report to the ICR.

The Commission conducted its election of executive positions on the Commission and the membership. Sir Ernest Rock Carling was elected as Chairman of ICRP. Referenced in the meeting minutes are memberships of Sub-Committees I-V.

The matter of ICRP merging with ICRU was considered and left to members to think about for the next year.

Following a discussion on possible creation of IARP and the role of ICRU and ICRP in international affairs, it was decided that ICRP should focus on the following topics:
  • Establish maximum permissible doses
  • Give fundamental data on radiation protection
  • Deal with methods of monitoring. Codes of practice should be dealt with at the national, not international level
A general view held by the Commission in the discussions was that effective work could not be carried on without a permanent secretariat. On this topic, no decision was reached but it was agreed by the Commission that for the time being, ICRP should
  • Continue to operate with the ICR,
  • Aim at strengthening its influences in the field of radiation protection
  • To expand to industrial techniques of radiation protection
In connection with this point, the Chairman decided to have the Scientific Secretary write to Chairmen of Sub-Committees III, IV, and VI instructing them to expand the scope of their reports from just medical radiation protection to industrial methods as well.

A discussion was held regarding structure of Sub-Committees and it was decided to retain the experimental structure as it existed for the time being with the exception of Sub-Committee IV and V being combined together.