The European Directive (Council Directive 2013/59/EURATOM) laying down basic safety standards for protection against the dangers arising from exposure to ionising radiation, introduces a new concept of “non-medical imaging”. “Non-medical imaging” implies any intentional exposure of humans to ionizing radiation (including dental medicine) for the purposes of obtaining an X-ray image, not for the benefit of their health. Such exposures have regulatory control. As is the case with medical imaging, limits and dose constraints for individuals do not apply to non-medical imaging, and those that use it must develop special local diagnostic reference levels.

Non-medical imaging may be carried out using the radiological equipment used in medicine and dental medicine as well as radiological equipment not used in medicine and dental medicine. The following text refers only to those X-ray examinations carried out by using radiological equipment used in medicine and dental medicine.

Non-medical imaging is carried out in cases such as assessment of medical conditions for the purposes of employment, immigration or insurance. Non-medical imaging also includes an assessment of physical development of children and adolescents for the purposes of establishing the health ability for an athletic and dance career or the like, imaging for the purposes of age assessment and identification of hidden items within the human body. Imaging as part of legal proceedings (lawsuits and similar), for which an X-ray image proving a medical irregularity is extremely important, also represents non-medical imaging.

It is important to stress that any type of procedure using sources of ionizing radiation for the purposes of non-medical imaging must be generally accepted and that any individual procedure using sources of ionizing radiation for the purposes of non-medical imaging must be previously justified, taking into account the special objectives of that procedure and characteristics of the person exposed to such imaging.

It is also necessary to keep in mind that all provisions of regulations regarding X-ray examinations as part of medical imaging, in connection with optimization, responsibility, education and special measures for pregnant women, as well as adequate ivolvrmrnt of medical physics expert, also apply to X-ray examinations as part of non-medical imaging. The legal entity or natural person performing X-ray examinations as part of non-medical imaging shall develop and apply special protocols that comply with the purposes of that imaging and the required quality of information obtained. The equipment used for the purposes of non-medical imaging must comply with the same requirements as the equipment used for medical imaging.

Before performing an X-ray examination as part of non-medical imaging, a clinically responsible healthcare worker must ensure that the patient or his or her legal representative, temporary guardian or caretaker, as well as carers and comforters who support and help the patient during the procedure, are provided with adequate information about the benefit and risk of the patient’s dose as a result of such imaging, of which a written record must exist. It is also necessary to request a written consent from the patient regarding such imaging. As an exception, a written consent may not be necessary if non-medical imaging is requested by relevant state administration or judiciary bodies.