5.10. 84 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 265/1 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COUNCIL COUNCIL DIRECTIVE of 3 September 1984 laying down basic measures for the radiation protection of persons undergoing medical examination or treatment ‘ (84/466/Euratom) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, and in particular Article 31 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, drawn up after obtaining the opinion of a group of persons appointed by the Scientific and Technical Committee, ' Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (1), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (2), Whereas the Council has adopted Directives laying down the basic safety standards for the health protection of the general public and workers against the dangers of ionizing radiation, as last amended by Directive 80/836/Euratom (3); Whereas these standards also relate to problems of radiation protection connected with the use of ionizing radiation for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes; Whereas, on the one hand, apart from natural background radiation, medical exposure to radiation is at present by far the major source of exposure to ionizing radiation; whereas this problem has been reviewed repeatedly by the World Health Organization, the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects (1) OJ No C 149, 14. 6. 1982, p. 102. (2) OJ No C 230, 8. 9. 1980, p. 1. (3) O] No L 246, 17. 9. 1980, p. 1. of Atomic Radiation and the International Commission on Radiological Protection, which have already recommended measures to prevent excessive medical exposure; Whereas, on the other hand, ionizing radiation has enabled great progress to be made in the diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive aspects of medicine, particularly since new techniques are under development, notably in nuclear medicine, high-energy therapy and the wuse of computer-controlled tomography; whereas, although there is certainly no desire to raise objections to the proper use of ionizing radiation for legitimate reasons and under good radiation-protection conditions, it is nevertheless important to eliminate unnecessary radiation exposure; Whereas measures which make it possible to improve the radiation protection of patients and of the general . public in no way jeopardize the benefits — whether early recognition, diagnosis or therapy — obtainable from radiation; whereas, on the contrary, measures which avoid inappropriate or excessive radiation levels improve the quality and effectiveness of medical uses of radiation; Whereas it must also be recognized that the number of radiological installations and the variety of uses of ionizing radiation are increasing; whereas any resultant unjustified increase in public exposure must be prevented; Whereas, given the growing use of ionizing radiation and the proliferation of techniques, it is necessary to ensure that users have the necessary competence and experience to avoid inappropriate uses of these techniques; whereas any unnecessary proliferation of radiological installations must be avoided;