The Radioactive Substances Legislation


If you have any questions about these regulations and how they might apply to your organisation, please do get in touch.

The following radioactive substances legislation is in place around the UK:

These regulations are aimed at controlling the use of radioactive substances and ensuring the protection of the public and the environment.

These regulations are likely to apply to the vast majority of employers working with radioactive substances, including those working with sealed and open radioactive sources, those releasing radioactive waste into the environment and those working with naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM). They do not apply to users of X-ray equipment.

EPR16 (England and Wales)

Under these Regulations, radioactive material and waste can fall into the following categories:

  • Out of scope - not considered to be legally radioactive, i.e. the Regulations do not apply.

  • Conditionally exempt - exempt from the requirement to obtain a Permit, providing certain conditions are met.

  • Permitted - a Permit is required from the Environment Agency.

In England these Regulations are enforced by the Environment Agency, and in Wales by Natural Resources Wales.

Permits

The Environment Agency has produced Permit guidance for operators on nuclear licensed sites and non-nuclear licensed sites.

Standard Rules Permits

Generic Permits are available for common, low risk activities including:

  • Category 5 sealed sources - the use of sealed sources with less stringent security requirements.

  • The unintentional receipt of radioactive sources at facilities operating radiation detectors - commonly used at scrap yards.

Bespoke Permits

Higher risk activities will require a custom Permit before they can take place. Such permits will have more stringent security requirements and are more costly to obtain. Common activities requiring a bespoke Permit include:

  • High Activity Sealed Sources

  • Mobile radioactive sources

  • Using unsealed radioactive sources and discharging radioactive waste

  • Remediation of land contaminated with radioactivity