The Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports (DDPS) uses materials and systems containing radioactive substances (e.g., de-icing warning system in its Superpuma helicopters) and operates facilities that generate ionising radiation (e.g., x-ray machines). Just like any private or industrial company, the DDPS must comply with radiation protection legislation. The Federal Office for Public Health (FOPH) and SUVA are responsible for monitoring compliance.

The General Secretariat of the DDPS created its own Competence Centre for Radiation Protection to ensure coordination between the Department and other authorities, to facilitate the implementation of the legal provisions and to provide user training. It operates within Spiez Laboratory.

Main tasks

• Ensuring legal compliance in relation to radiation protection
• Monitoring radioactivity with mobile radiation measuring devices
• Carrying out radon measurements in the DDPS
• Central point of contact for supervisory and licensing authorities
• Providing trainings in the field of radiation protection