Book excerpt: This Safety Guide provides recommendations on meeting the requirements of IAEA Safety Standards Series No. GSR Part 1 (Rev. 1), Governmental, Legal and Regulatory Framework for Safety, on the regulatory body's core functions and associated regulatory processes. This guidance is particularly important for regulatory bodies having responsibilities covering a range of facilities and activities that give rise to radiation risks and the important organizational interfaces between various regulatory authorities, which require effective coordination and cooperation. It promotes a consistent approach to regulation and specifically addresses the release of facilities and activities from regulatory control including sites, buildings, equipment and material. The publication is intended to be used mainly by regulatory bodies but will also be useful for governments that are developing a regulatory framework for safety. It will also assist authorized parties and others dealing with radiation sources in understanding regulatory procedures, processes and expectations.