Regulation 2 Amendment of the Radioactive Substances Act 1993

(1)

The Radioactive Substances Act 1993 is amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (8).

(2)

In the Section headed Preliminary in so far as it extends to Northern Ireland—

(a)

in section 1A (meaning of radioactive material) in the first line after “sections 1E, 1F,1G” insert “, 1GA”;

(b)

after section 1D (radionuclides not of natural terrestrial or cosmic origin) insert—

“Dilution to reduce concentration of radioactivity: Northern Ireland

1DA.

For the purposes of section 1B, 1C and 1D, a substance or article is to be treated as having a concentration of radioactivity which exceeds the value referred to in section 1B(2), 1C(c)(i) or 1D(a), if a person has deliberately diluted the substance or article with the intention of ensuring that its concentration of radioactivity does not exceed that value.”; and

(c)

after section 1G (contaminated substances or articles) insert—

“Historic radium contamination: Northern Ireland

1GA.

A substance or article is not radioactive material or radioactive waste where the substance or article arises from the remediation of land contaminated by radium and—

(a)
the substance or article contains Ra-226 or its progeny;

(b)
in the absence of Ra-226 or its progeny, the substance or article would not otherwise be radioactive material or radioactive waste under this section;

(c)
the contamination occurred prior to 13 May 2000; and

(d)
the concentration of Ra-226 and any progeny resulting from the decay of Ra-226 does not exceed the following values—

(i)
for a substance or article which is a solid or a substance which is relevant a liquid, 1Bq/g;

(ii)
for a substance which is any other liquid, 1Bq/l; or

(iii)
for a substance which is a gas, 0.01 Bq/m³.”.

(3)

After section 14 (accumulation of radioactive waste) insert—

“Radioactive waste: requirements to be imposed on persons authorised to dispose of and accumulate radioactive waste: Northern Ireland

14A.

(1)
The chief inspector shall require a person who holds an authorisation to carry on the radioactive substances activity described in section 13(3) (disposal of radioactive waste) or section 14(2) (accumulation of radioactive waste) to—
(a)
achieve and maintain an optimal level of protection of members of the public;

(b)
accept into service adequate equipment and procedures for measuring and assessing exposure of members of the public and radioactive contamination of the environment;

(c)
check the effectiveness and maintenance of equipment as referred to in paragraph (b) and ensure the regular calibration of measuring instruments; and

(d)
seek advice from a radioactive waste adviser in the performance of the tasks referred to in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c).

(2)
In this section “radioactive waste adviser” means a person with the knowledge, training and experience needed to give radioactive waste management and environmental radiation protection advice in relation to radioactive waste in order to ensure the effective protection of members of the public, and whose competence in that respect is recognised by the chief inspector.”.

(4)

In section 16 (grant of authorisations) in so far as it extends to Northern Ireland after subsection (8) insert—

“(8A)
In exercising the functions under this Act in relation to radioactive material and radioactive waste, the chief inspector shall observe the requirements of Article 30(4) of the Basic Safety Standards Directive^f1.

(8B)
This subsection applies where the chief inspector is exercising functions under this Act in relation to radioactive substances activity where there are no radioactive discharges specified in conditions in the authorisation—

(a)
the chief inspector shall impose appropriate conditions in the authorisation concerning—

(i)
the monitoring, or the evaluation, of radioactive airborne or aqueous discharges into the environment; and

(ii)
the reporting to the chief inspector of the results of such monitoring or evaluation;

(b)
for the purposes of this subsection, where the chief inspector is exercising functions under this Act in relation to a nuclear power station or nuclear reprocessing plant, the conditions imposed in the authorisation shall require the monitoring of radioactive discharges and reporting to the chief inspector of such information on radioactive discharges as the appropriate Minister directs; and

(c)
notification and recording of significant events to ensure compliance with Article 96 of the Basic Safety Standards Directive.”.

(5)

In section 17A (review of authorisations) in so far as it extends to Northern Ireland—

(a)

in the title, after “authorisations”, insert “and inspection of premises authorised in this Act”;

(b)

at the end of subsection 1(a) omit “and”;

(c)

at the end of subsection 1(b) omit “.” and insert “;”;

(d)

following subsection 1(b) insert—

“(c)
shall make appropriate periodic inspections of premises for which an authorisation was granted in accordance with section 13 or 14 of this Act; and

(d)
when establishing an inspection programme for the purposes of subparagraph (1)(c) in relation to radioactive substances activities, shall take into account the potential magnitude and nature of the hazard associated with such activities, a general assessment of radiation protection issues in the activities, and the state of compliance with the requirements of this Act.”.

(e)

after subsection (1), insert—

“(1A)
Where the chief inspector makes an inspection of an undertaking that is a radioactive substances activity, the chief inspector shall—

(a)
record the findings of that inspection; and

(b)
communicate those findings to the operator of the authorised premises.”.

(6)

In section 30A (recovery and disposal of orphan sources) in so far as it extends to Northern Ireland in subsection (1) after “, to” insert “control and”.

(7)

In section 47 (general interpretation provisions) in so far as it relates to Northern Ireland—

(a)

in subsection (1)—

(i)

at the appropriate alphabetical place insert—

““the Basic Safety Standards Directive” means Council Directive 2013/59/EURATOM laying down basic safety standards for protection against the dangers arising from the exposure to ionising radiation and repealing Directives 89/618/Euratom, 90/641/Euratom, 96/29/Euratom, 97/43/Euratom and 2003/122/Euratom;”;

(ii)

for the definition of “the appropriate Minister” substitute—

““the appropriate Minister” means, in relation to Northern Ireland, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs;”;

(iii)

omit the definition for “the HASS Directive”;

(iv)

omit the definition of “high-activity source”;

(v)

after the definition of “the appropriate Minister” insert—

““high-activity sealed source” means a sealed source for which the activity of the contained radionuclide is equal to or exceeds the relevant activity value laid down in Annex III of the Basic Safety Standards Directive;”;

(vi)

for the definition of “orphan source” substitute—

““orphan source” has the same meaning as in the Basic Safety Standards Directive;”;

(vii)

after the definition of “waste” insert—

“(1A)
Any reference to “the HASS Directive” in this Act shall be deemed to be a reference to the Basic Safety Standards Directive.

(1B)
Any reference to “high-activity source” in this Act shall be deemed to be a reference to “high-activity sealed source”.”;

(b)

in subsection (5A) for “Council Directive 96/29/EURATOM” substitute “Council Directive 2013/59/EURATOM”;

(c)

for subsection (6) substitute —

“In the application of this section to Northern Ireland, the reference in subsection (2) to the Secretary of State shall have effect as a reference to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.”.

(8)

In Schedule 1A (tables of NORM industrial activities, radionuclides and summation rules) in so far as it relates to Northern Ireland—

(a)

in Table 1, NORM Industrial Activities, in Part 2, after the row “China clay extraction” insert a further row called “Geothermal energy production”;

(b)

for Table 2 (concentration of radionuclides: NORM industrial activities) substitute—

“

Table 2

Concentration of radionuclides: NORM industrial activities

Radionuclide Solid or relevant liquid concentration in becquerels per gram (Bq/g) Any other liquid concentration in becquerels per litre (Bq/l) Gaseous concentration in becquerels per cubic metre (Bq/m³)

U-238sec 1 0.1 0.001
U-238+ 5 10 0.01
U-234 5 10 0.01
Th-230 10 10 0.001
Ra-226+ 1 1 0.1
Pb-210+ 5 0.1 0.1
Po-210 5 0.1 0.1
U-235sec 1 0.1 0.0001
U-235+ 5 10 0.01
Pa-231 5 1 0.001
Ac-227+ 1 0.1 0.001
Th-232sec 1 0.1 0.001
Th-232 5 10 0.001
Ra228+ 1 0.1 0.01
Th-228+ 1 1 0.001

”

Radionuclide	Solid or relevant liquid concentration in becquerels per gram (Bq/g)	Any other liquid concentration in becquerels per litre (Bq/l)	Gaseous concentration in becquerels per cubic metre (Bq/m³)
U-238sec	1	0.1	0.001
U-238+	5	10	0.01
U-234	5	10	0.01
Th-230	10	10	0.001
Ra-226+	1	1	0.1
Pb-210+	5	0.1	0.1
Po-210	5	0.1	0.1
U-235sec	1	0.1	0.0001
U-235+	5	10	0.01
Pa-231	5	1	0.001
Ac-227+	1	0.1	0.001
Th-232sec	1	0.1	0.001
Th-232	5	10	0.001
Ra228+	1	0.1	0.01
Th-228+	1	1	0.001

(c)

for Table 3 (concentration of radionuclides) substitute—

“

Table 3

Concentration of radionuclides

Radionuclide Concentration in becquerels per gram (Bq/g)

H-3 10²
Be-7 10
C-14 10
F-18 10
Na-22 0.1
Na-24 1
Si-31 10³
P-32 10³
P-33 10³
S-35 10²
CI-36 1
CI-38 10
K-42 10²
K-43 10
Ca-45 10²
Ca-47 10
Sc-46 0.1
Sc-47 10²
Sc-48 1
V-48 1
Cr-51 10²
Mn-51 10
Mn-52 1
Mn-52m 10
Mn-53 10²
Mn-54 0.1
Mn-56 10
Fe-52+ 10
Fe-55 10³
Fe-59 1
Co-55 10
Co-56 0.1
Co-57 1
Co-58 1
Co-58m 10⁴
Co-60 0.1
Co-60m 10³
Co-61 10²
Co-62m 10
Ni-59 10²
Ni-63 10²
Ni-65 10
Cu-64 10²
Zn-65 0.1
Zn-69 10³
Zn-69m⁺ 10
Ga-72 10
Ge-71 10⁴
As-73 10³
As-74 10
As-76 10
As-77 10³
Se-75 1
Br-82 1
Rb-86 10²
Sr-85 1
Sr-85m 10²
Sr-87m 10²
Sr-89 10³
Sr-90+ 1
Sr-91+ 10
Sr-92 10
Y-90 10³
Y-91 10²
Y-91m 10²
Y-92 10²
Y-93 10²
Zr-93 10
Zr-95+ 1
Zr-97+ 10
Nb-93m 10
Nb-94 0.1
Nb-95 1
Nb-97+ 10
Nb-98 10
Mo-90 10
Mo-93 10
Mo-99+ 10
Mo-101+ 10
Tc-96 1
Tc-96m 10³
Tc-97 10
Tc-97m 10
Tc-99 1
Tc-99m 10²
Ru-97 10
Ru-103+ 1
Ru-105+ 10
Ru-106+ 0.1
Rh-103m 10⁴
Rh-105 10²
Pd-103+ 10³
Pd-109+ 10²
Ag-105 1
Ag-108m+ 0.1
Ag-110m+ 0.1
Ag-111 10
Cd-109+ 1
Cd-115+ 10²
Cd-115m+ 10²
In-111 10
In-113m 10²
In-114m 10
In-115m 10²
Sn-113+ 1
Sn-125 10
Sb-122 10
Sb-124 1
Sb-125+ 0.1
Te-123m 1
Te-125m 10³
Te-127 10³
Te-127m+ 10
Te-129 10²
Te-129m+ 10
Te-131 10²
Te-131m+ 10
Te-132+ 1
Te-133+ 10
Te-133m+ 10
Te-134 10
I-123 10²
I-125 10²
I-126 10
I-129 0.01
I-130 10
I-131+ 10
I-132 10
I-133 10
I-134 10
I-135 10
Cs-129 10
Cs-131 10³
Cs-132 10
Cs-134 0.1
Cs-134m 10³
Cs-135 10²
Cs-136 1
Cs-137+ 1
Cs-138 10
Ba-131 10
Ba-140 1
La-140 1
Ce-139 1
Ce-141 100
Ce-143 10
Ce-144+ 10
Pr-142 10²
Pr-143 10³
Nd-147 10²
Nd-149 10²
Pm-147 10³
Pm-149 10³
Sm-151 10³
Sm-153 10
Eu-152 0.1
Eu-152m 10
Eu-154 0.1
Eu-155 1
Gd-153 10
Gd-159 10²
Tb-160 1
Dy-165 10³
Dy-166 10²
Ho-166 10²
Er-169 10³
Er-171 10²
Tm-170 10²
Tm-171 10³
Yb-175 10²
Lu-177 10²
Hf-181 1
Ta-182 0.1
W-181 10
W-185 10³
W-187 10
Re-186 10³
Re-188 10²
Os-185 10³
Os-191 10²
Os-191m 10³
Os-193 10²
Ir-190 1
Ir-192 1
Ir-194 10²
Pt-191 10
Pt-193m 10³
Pt-197 10³
Pt-197m 10²
Au-198 10
Au-199 10²
Hg-197 10²
Hg-197m 10²
Hg-203 10
TI-200 10
TI-201 10²
TI-202 10
TI-204 1
Pb-203 10
Pb-210+ 0.01
Pb-212+ 1
Bi-206 1
Bi-207 0.1
Bi-210 10
Bi-212+ 1
Po-203 10
Po-205 10
Po-207 10
Po-210 0.01
At-211 10³
Ra-223+ 1
Ra-224+ 1
Ra-225 10
Ra-226+ 0.01
Ra-227 10²
Ra-228+ 0.01
Ac-227+ 0.01
Ac-228 1
Th-226+ 10³
Th-227 1
Th-228+ 0.1
Th-229 0.1
Th-230 0.1
Th-231 10²
Th-232 0.01
Th-232+ 0.01
Th-232sec 0.01
Th-234+ 10
Pa-230 10
Pa-231 0.01
Pa-233 10
U-230 10
U-231 10²
U-232+ 0.1
U-233 1
U-234 1
U-235+ 1
U-235sec 0.01
U-236 10
U-237 10²
U-238+ 1
U-238sec 0.01
U-239 10²
U-240+ 10²
Np-237+ 1
Np-239 10²
Np-240 10
Pu-234 10³
Pu-235 10²
Pu-236 1
Pu-237 10²
Pu-238 0.1
Pu-239 0.1
Pu-240 0.1
Pu-241 10
Pu-242 0.1
Pu-243 10³
Pu-244+ 0.1
Am-241 0.1
Am-242 10³
Am-242m+ 0.1
Am-243+ 0.1
Cm-242 10
Cm-243 1
Cm-244 1
Cm-245 0.1
Cm-246 0.1
Cm-247+ 0.1
Cm-248 0.1
Bk-249 10²
Cf-246 10³
Cf-248 1
Cf-249 0.1
Cf-250 1
Cf-251 0.1
Cf-252 1
Cf-253 10²
Cf-253+ 10²
Cf-254 1
Es-253 10²
Es-254+ 0.1
Es-254m+ 10
Fm-254 10⁴
Fm-255 10²
Any other solid or non-aqueous liquid radionuclide that is not of natural terrestrial or cosmic origin 0.01, unless the concentration which gives rise to the same 10 µSv/year dose criteria as used in column 2 of this table can be calculated by reference to the IAEA publication “Application of the Concepts of Exclusion, Exemption and Clearance” IAEA Safety Standards Series NO. RS-G-1.7.

”

Radionuclide	Concentration in becquerels per gram (Bq/g)
H-3	10²
Be-7	10
C-14	10
F-18	10
Na-22	0.1
Na-24	1
Si-31	10³
P-32	10³
P-33	10³
S-35	10²
CI-36	1
CI-38	10
K-42	10²
K-43	10
Ca-45	10²
Ca-47	10
Sc-46	0.1
Sc-47	10²
Sc-48	1
V-48	1
Cr-51	10²
Mn-51	10
Mn-52	1
Mn-52m	10
Mn-53	10²
Mn-54	0.1
Mn-56	10
Fe-52+	10
Fe-55	10³
Fe-59	1
Co-55	10
Co-56	0.1
Co-57	1
Co-58	1
Co-58m	10⁴
Co-60	0.1
Co-60m	10³
Co-61	10²
Co-62m	10
Ni-59	10²
Ni-63	10²
Ni-65	10
Cu-64	10²
Zn-65	0.1
Zn-69	10³
Zn-69m⁺	10
Ga-72	10
Ge-71	10⁴
As-73	10³
As-74	10
As-76	10
As-77	10³
Se-75	1
Br-82	1
Rb-86	10²
Sr-85	1
Sr-85m	10²
Sr-87m	10²
Sr-89	10³
Sr-90+	1
Sr-91+	10
Sr-92	10
Y-90	10³
Y-91	10²
Y-91m	10²
Y-92	10²
Y-93	10²
Zr-93	10
Zr-95+	1
Zr-97+	10
Nb-93m	10
Nb-94	0.1
Nb-95	1
Nb-97+	10
Nb-98	10
Mo-90	10
Mo-93	10
Mo-99+	10
Mo-101+	10
Tc-96	1
Tc-96m	10³
Tc-97	10
Tc-97m	10
Tc-99	1
Tc-99m	10²
Ru-97	10
Ru-103+	1
Ru-105+	10
Ru-106+	0.1
Rh-103m	10⁴
Rh-105	10²
Pd-103+	10³
Pd-109+	10²
Ag-105	1
Ag-108m+	0.1
Ag-110m+	0.1
Ag-111	10
Cd-109+	1
Cd-115+	10²
Cd-115m+	10²
In-111	10
In-113m	10²
In-114m	10
In-115m	10²
Sn-113+	1
Sn-125	10
Sb-122	10
Sb-124	1
Sb-125+	0.1
Te-123m	1
Te-125m	10³
Te-127	10³
Te-127m+	10
Te-129	10²
Te-129m+	10
Te-131	10²
Te-131m+	10
Te-132+	1
Te-133+	10
Te-133m+	10
Te-134	10
I-123	10²
I-125	10²
I-126	10
I-129	0.01
I-130	10
I-131+	10
I-132	10
I-133	10
I-134	10
I-135	10
Cs-129	10
Cs-131	10³
Cs-132	10
Cs-134	0.1
Cs-134m	10³
Cs-135	10²
Cs-136	1
Cs-137+	1
Cs-138	10
Ba-131	10
Ba-140	1
La-140	1
Ce-139	1
Ce-141	100
Ce-143	10
Ce-144+	10
Pr-142	10²
Pr-143	10³
Nd-147	10²
Nd-149	10²
Pm-147	10³
Pm-149	10³
Sm-151	10³
Sm-153	10
Eu-152	0.1
Eu-152m	10
Eu-154	0.1
Eu-155	1
Gd-153	10
Gd-159	10²
Tb-160	1
Dy-165	10³
Dy-166	10²
Ho-166	10²
Er-169	10³
Er-171	10²
Tm-170	10²
Tm-171	10³
Yb-175	10²
Lu-177	10²
Hf-181	1
Ta-182	0.1
W-181	10
W-185	10³
W-187	10
Re-186	10³
Re-188	10²
Os-185	10³
Os-191	10²
Os-191m	10³
Os-193	10²
Ir-190	1
Ir-192	1
Ir-194	10²
Pt-191	10
Pt-193m	10³
Pt-197	10³
Pt-197m	10²
Au-198	10
Au-199	10²
Hg-197	10²
Hg-197m	10²
Hg-203	10
TI-200	10
TI-201	10²
TI-202	10
TI-204	1
Pb-203	10
Pb-210+	0.01
Pb-212+	1
Bi-206	1
Bi-207	0.1
Bi-210	10
Bi-212+	1
Po-203	10
Po-205	10
Po-207	10
Po-210	0.01
At-211	10³
Ra-223+	1
Ra-224+	1
Ra-225	10
Ra-226+	0.01
Ra-227	10²
Ra-228+	0.01
Ac-227+	0.01
Ac-228	1
Th-226+	10³
Th-227	1
Th-228+	0.1
Th-229	0.1
Th-230	0.1
Th-231	10²
Th-232	0.01
Th-232+	0.01
Th-232sec	0.01
Th-234+	10
Pa-230	10
Pa-231	0.01
Pa-233	10
U-230	10
U-231	10²
U-232+	0.1
U-233	1
U-234	1
U-235+	1
U-235sec	0.01
U-236	10
U-237	10²
U-238+	1
U-238sec	0.01
U-239	10²
U-240+	10²
Np-237+	1
Np-239	10²
Np-240	10
Pu-234	10³
Pu-235	10²
Pu-236	1
Pu-237	10²
Pu-238	0.1
Pu-239	0.1
Pu-240	0.1
Pu-241	10
Pu-242	0.1
Pu-243	10³
Pu-244+	0.1
Am-241	0.1
Am-242	10³
Am-242m+	0.1
Am-243+	0.1
Cm-242	10
Cm-243	1
Cm-244	1
Cm-245	0.1
Cm-246	0.1
Cm-247+	0.1
Cm-248	0.1
Bk-249	10²
Cf-246	10³
Cf-248	1
Cf-249	0.1
Cf-250	1
Cf-251	0.1
Cf-252	1
Cf-253	10²
Cf-253+	10²
Cf-254	1
Es-253	10²
Es-254+	0.1
Es-254m+	10
Fm-254	10⁴
Fm-255	10²
Any other solid or non-aqueous liquid radionuclide that is not of natural terrestrial or cosmic origin	0.01, unless the concentration which gives rise to the same 10 µSv/year dose criteria as used in column 2 of this table can be calculated by reference to the IAEA publication “Application of the Concepts of Exclusion, Exemption and Clearance” IAEA Safety Standards Series NO. RS-G-1.7.

Annotations

Footnotes

f1: O.J. L 13, 17.01.2014, p.1.