[en] The Government has given the Swedish Radiation Protection Institute an assignment to review the limitation of releases of radioactive substances from nuclear power plants and, if necessary, suggest further actions including relevant alterations of the statutes. In this document contemporary legislation and regulations, sources and source terms for releases, clean-up systems and release paths for radionuclides, risk reduction philosophy, and health risks are reported. SSI judges that a survey of the existing regulations regarding releases of radioactive substances to the environment is motivated. The regulations which hitherto have been solely based on limitations of radiation doses to man should in the future also take into account other environmental effects similar to environmental legislation in general and international conventions. The cover letter to the Government is also included as a supplement