Egypt is a country of high population density. A widespread and rapid increase in the use of radioactive materials is occurring in many applications (in nuclear medicine, industrial radiography, agriculture, teaching and research). Moreover there are several nuclear installations in the country, e.g. two research nuclear reactors (2 MW and 22 MW), for reactor physics research and isotope production, 40.000 Ci cobalt sterilization facility, 20 MeV cyclotron facility and a 1.5 MeV electron linear-accelerator facility. Another risk ensues at the Suez Canal due to the passage of radioactive material cargoes as well as nuclear-powered ships. These activities are subject to control by the National Center for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Control (NCNSRC) inside the country. The purpose of the present paper is to indicate the role of the national regulatory body controlling possible radiological hazards which could ensue inside the country. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.