The terms of reference of COMARE are: "to assess and advise Government and the devolved authorities on the health effects of natural and man-made radiation and to assess the adequacy of the available data and the need for further research". COMARE is an independent expert advisory committee with members chosen for their medical and scientific expertise and recruited from universities, research and medical institutes. Members have never been drawn from the nuclear or electrical power supply industries. The committee offers independent advice to all government departments and devolved authorities, not just the health departments, and is responsible for assessing and advising them on the health effects of natural and man-made radiation. It is also asked to assess the adequacy of the available data and advise on the need for further research. COMARE had produced fourteen reports on a wide range of radiation issues by 2011. The COMARE secretariat is provided by
Public Health England which has incorporated the former
Health Protection Agency's Radiation Protection Division, formerly the
National Radiological Protection Board. ==CERRIE==