Managing radioactive substances

Certificates of registration and authorisation are used to control radioactive substance activities at non-nuclear sites.

You must have a certificate of registration from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) if you keep or use radioactive materials. You must register:

• open or unsealed sources on your premises
• closed or sealed sources on your premises
• mobile apparatus incorporating a sealed radioactive source
• mobile apparatus (open sources) for use in environmental studies
• radioactive packages stored in transit

You must have a certificate of authorisation from NIEA if you dispose of or accumulate radioactive waste. Accumulating radioactive waste includes storing radioactive waste on your premises. Disposing of radioactive waste includes discharging radioactive waste into the air, land, sea, surface water (such as rivers and lakes), groundwater or foul sewers. You are also disposing of radioactive waste if you transfer it to another site.

You must not use or keep radioactive materials, or dispose of or accumulate radioactive waste, before you receive your certificate of registration or authorisation. If you are unsure whether you need a certificate of registration or authorisation for radioactive substance activities, you should contact NIEA.

Exemptions from registration or authorisation

You do not need a certificate of registration or authorisation if an exemption applies to your activities. The exemption specifies the types of premises, materials or waste which do not need a permit.

If you rely on an exemption you are responsible for checking that:

• the exemption applies to your activities
• you can comply with the conditions of the relevant exemption

You do not need to register your exemption with NIEA.

Contact a suitable radiation protection adviser, radioactive waste adviser or NIEA if you are unsure whether your activities are covered by an exemption.

This guidance is not intended for radioactive waste disposal sites, underground storage or disposal facilities, or nuclear licensed sites.