The principle of optimisation of radiation protection, also known as ALARA is the cornerstone of the radiological protection system. In practice, its implementation is to search for a given exposure situation, what is the reasonable level of protection taking into account economic and societal factors.

The demonstration that actual exposures are ALARA is in many cases not sufficient, objectified or made visible. In some cases, the use of cost-benefit analysis associated with the use of reference monetary values of person-sievert remains confidential, even if it is in some cases used to guide investment decisions in the nuclear industry.

Rather than trying to develop tools or to adopt numerical values, experience shows that the quest for reasonableness would benefit to be further discussed and shared, both at the national and international levels, with the various stakeholders. In particular, the implementation of the optimisation process should take into consideration more explicitly societal and ethical considerations.

The proposed workshop aims to review the current practices in implementing ALARA and particularly to question the respective roles of decision-aiding techniques and stakeholders in establishing reasonable levels of protection. The aim is also to initiate a reflection on ethical and societal values that underpin the concept of reasonableness.

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