The German Commission on Radiological Protection has the task to advise the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) on issues concerning the protection from the risks of ionising and non-ionising radiation. Key subjects of this consultation are:

• radiation effects and dose-effect-relationships,
• proposals for dose limits and derived limits,
• monitoring the exposure of the population, special population groups and workers,
• guidelines and special measures of protection against hazards arising from ionizing and non-ionizing radiation,
• guidelines on emergency preparedness and measures to reduce the radiation exposure in the event of a nuclear emergency or catastrophe,
• dispersion models for airborne and liquid releases of radionuclides from licensed facilities,
• the consequences of international recommendations on the German system of radiological protection,
• development and scientific support of research programmes on radiological protection topics.

In the case of a nuclear or radiological event or corresponding exercises the Commission on Radiological Protection is represented by.an emergency advisory board (SSK emergency advisory board).

Since 01.01.2012 SSK has the right to comment on decisions proposed by the German Federal Joint Committee (G-BA), if they pertain to methods applying radioactive substances or ionising radiation to humans. The Federal Joint Committee is the highest decision-making body of the joint self-government of physicians, dentists, hospitals and health insurance funds in Germany.