Korea to Standardize Radiation Worker Health Checks in Animal Diagnosis

Korea to Standardize Radiation Worker Health Checks in Animal Diagnosis

The Korean Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) has announced proposed amendments to its regulations concerning the safe management of radiation-generating devices used in animal diagnostics. The primary goal of these changes is to streamline and standardize health examinations for professionals working with such equipment, making the process more efficient and consistent across different government agencies.

Under the current system, specific blood test items required for health checks of radiation workers can vary slightly depending on the overseeing ministry. This inconsistency often forces individuals to undergo redundant examinations when changing jobs or moving between departments that fall under different regulatory bodies. The proposed amendment, which is a ministerial ordinance, aims to resolve this inconvenience by unifying the required blood test components. These will now consistently include assessments of hemoglobin levels, red blood cell count, white blood cell count, and platelet count.

Furthermore, the revised rule seeks to standardize the format for health diagnostic reports. This standardization will enable the mutual recognition of health check results between MAFRA, the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC), and the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) – which includes the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). This collaborative approach will ensure that a health examination conducted under one ministry’s purview will be valid for others, significantly reducing administrative burden and improving worker mobility.

MAFRA is currently seeking public input on these proposed changes. Interested individuals, organizations, and groups are invited to submit their opinions during the public notice period, which runs from March 31, 2026, until May 11, 2026. This feedback will play a crucial role in shaping the final version of the amendment.

To submit your opinion, you can choose from several methods:

• Online: Utilize Korea’s Integrated Legislative Notice System at http://opinion.lawmaking.go.kr.
• Email: Send your feedback to kiyeonk@korea.kr.
• Mail: Address your comments to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Companion Animal Industry and Veterinary Medicine Division, Government Complex Sejong Building 5, Dasom2-ro 94, Eojin-dong, Sejong Special Self-Governing City, 30110, Republic of Korea.
• Fax: Send your意见 to 044-868-9025.

For further inquiries regarding the amendment, please contact the Companion Animal Industry and Veterinary Medicine Division at 044-201-2653. Additional details and the full text of the proposed amendment are available on the MAFRA website (http://www.mafra.go.kr) under the “Public Communication – Legislation Information – Legislative/Administrative Notice” section.

Source: 법제처 — Original Article (Korean)