The Ministry of Science and Technology has recommended extending the declaration and licensing period for radiation devices and low-risk radioactive sources from 3 years to 5 years. This proposal aims to reduce costs and simplify procedures for organizations and individuals with such equipment. The draft policy impact assessment, which suggests amending the Law on Atomic Energy, has been submitted to the Government for review and is seeking feedback from experts, scientists, and the public.
Currently, organizations and individuals with radiation equipment above the exemption level must go through declaration and licensing procedures. However, many radiation devices have self-shielding designs and are considered safe for users. These devices include X-ray fluorescence analyzers used in industry and low-activity radioactive sources used for calibration at research institutes and universities.
The Ministry of Science and Technology argues that the current requirement for these devices to undergo licensing and declaration every three years is unnecessary and burdensome. They propose shifting to a registration system with a 5-year period, following the guidance of the International Atomic Energy Agency. This change would simplify procedures, reduce costs, and save time for organizations and businesses.
If the registration period is extended to 5 years, businesses could save significant costs as there were approximately 1,000 X-ray fluorescence analysis devices in the country that could benefit from this proposed change by the end of 2023. The Ministry of Science and Technology is working on revising the Atomic Energy Law to address these issues and adapt to the changing technological landscape.
The revised draft Atomic Energy Law focuses on promoting the development of atomic energy applications while ensuring safety and security in this field. It also addresses managing radioactive waste effectively responding to incidents related to atomic energy use or transportation of nuclear materials. Moreover, it aims to improve state management in this area by providing legal frameworks that will facilitate cooperation between various stakeholders involved in atomic energy activities.
The updated Law on Atomic Energy is expected to be included in the legislative program of the 15th National Assembly for 2025.
In conclusion, extending declaration periods can save businesses money while simplifying processes associated with radiation device use. The proposed changes could significantly affect how organizations handle their radiation equipment while adhering to safety standards set by lawmakers.
