Brussels, 29/12/2003 (Agence Europe) - The Council has formally adopted the new directive to enhance controls of and prevent accidents involving radioactive sources, setting out specific requirements to ensure every single high activity radioactive source in Europe is always kept under control. The purpose of the new Directive is to better protect the population and workers, by reducing the likelihood of their being accidentally exposed to ionising radiation as a result of a lack of control on radioactive sources, in particular when sources are no longer being used. In a press release, the Commission welcomes the adoption of the new legislation. Loyola de Palacio, Energy Commissioner, commented: "Radioactive sources must be controlled from cradle to grave, so that we can be sure that no "orphan source" will be accidentally found by our citizens. Traceability of radioactive sources is the keyword, as it will prevent sources from becoming lost and will also reduce the risk of radioactive sources being misused".