Objective To refine the standard system for radiological health, meet the demands for radiological health standardization work under new circumstances, and promote sustainable and healthy development of radiological health work.

Methods We analyzed the current status radiological health standards; referred to relevant domestic laws, regulations, and normative documents, as well as relevant technical documents and publications issued by international organizations; followed principles for preparing standard systems; and combined two pre-standard systems for radiological protection and diagnosis of radiation-induced diseases. Thereupon, we studied and discussed the hierarchy of standard system for radiological health in China.

Results We established a new hierarchical structure and proposed a new standard system for radiological health. The classification of the standard system was changed into eight classes, including basic standards, planned exposure, emergency exposure, existing exposure, occupational health administration, diagnosis and management of radiation-induced diseases, test and evaluation, and others, and each class was further subdivided. To be specific, the division of exposure situation was in line with the classification of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) Publication 103 and the Radiation Protection and Safety of Radiation Sources: International Basic Safety Standards (IBSS, 2014) by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Conclusion Because the new standard system for radiological health reflects the present situation of radiological health standards in China and is of prospective nature, it conforms to the trend of the development of radiological health work in China.