Obtain authorization for the acquisition, installation, and use of ionizing radiation sources.

The acquisition, installation and use of ionising radiation sources require prior authorisation:

  • from the Minister of Health for Class I and II sources,
  • from the Director of Health for Class III sources.

Class IV establishments are required to notify the Health Directorate of their practices.

For any practice not yet justified under the provisions of Article 33 of the Law of 28 May 2019 on radiation protection, the establishment shall attach the application file (Art. 37) to the establishment's authorisation application or notification.

Authorisations are granted for a minimum period of one year and may not exceed ten years.

The Act of 28 May 2019 on radiation protection contains detailed information on the authorisation procedure depending on the class of the establishment.

Prohibited practices

The following practices are prohibited:

  1. the deliberate activation or addition of radioactive substances in the production of foodstuffs, toys, jewellery and cosmetics, animal feed, and the import or export of such products;
  2. the construction and operation of an enrichment plant, a nuclear fuel fabrication plant, a nuclear power plant, a research reactor, or a facility for the processing, storage or disposal of spent nuclear fuel; 
  3. the possession of quantities of fissile material exceeding one kilogram, with the exception of materials containing fissile material of natural origin without the composition of the fissile material having been modified;
  4. the establishment and operation of a final storage facility for radioactive waste;
  5. the transport of nuclear fuel and uranium hexafluoride;
  6. the import, manufacture, sale, use and installation of lightning conductors containing radioactive materials or substances;
  7. the import, manufacture and sale of incandescent sleeves containing radioactive materials or substances;
  8. the use of radioelements in the manufacture of fire or smoke detectors, as well as the import, possession for sale, sale and installation in buildings of fire or smoke detectors containing radioactive materials or substances;
  9. practices involving the activation of materials resulting in an increase in activity in a consumer product which, at the time of placing on the market, cannot be disregarded from a radiation protection point of view.

Authorization fees

On June 1 of each year:

  • all Class I establishments are required to pay a fee of €1,000
  • all Class II establishments are required to pay a fee of €500
  • all Class III establishments are required to pay a fee of €200

The fee is payable by deposit or transfer to a bank account held by the Registration and Domains Administration, indicating the identity of the applicant and the purpose of the transfer or deposit.

Account holder:

Exemption from the authorization and notification requirement

Human activities involving materials contaminated by radioactivity resulting from authorized releases or materials released in accordance with Article 51 of the Act are exempt from the authorization and notification requirement.

Duration of the authorization procedure

The duration of the authorization procedure can vary from a few weeks to several months. It depends on the various bodies consulted for their opinion, depending on the potential risk associated with exposure.

The bodies consulted for their opinion may be:

  1. the Labor and Mines Inspectorate (ITM),
  2. the college of mayors and aldermen of the municipality concerned in the event of commodo and incommodo, etc.

Information to be provided by the establishment

For an authorization request, the information to be provided varies depending on the type of radiation emitter:

  • electrical X-ray equipment,
  • sealed radioactive sources,
  • unsealed radioactive substances,
  • high-activity sealed sources.

For more information, contact the Radiation Protection Division.

Terms of use

Once authorization has been obtained, the practices introduced or modified by this authorization may only be implemented after:

  1. a test of the radiation sources and facilities has been carried out, at the initiative of the establishment;
  2. the Health Department has been informed that the conclusions of the test are compliant within a period not exceeding three weeks.

The acceptance costs are borne by the applicant establishment.

The acceptance test must verify whether the new or modified radiation sources and facilities meet the legal and regulatory requirements for the radiation protection of workers, the public, and the environment, as well as the authorization conditions with regard to:

  1. the packaging of sources;
  2. the design of the premises;
  3. safety and warning devices
Authorizations shall lapse in the event that:
  • the establishment is dissolved, 

  • the establishment formally renounces the authorization, 

  • the validity of the authorization expires, 

  • the practice is no longer covered by civil liability insurance,
  • the tax is not paid.

Consultation with a radiation protection expert

Class I to III establishments shall seek the advice of a radiation protection expert or, under certain conditions, a person responsible for radiation protection on the following issues relating to practice:

  1. the examination and inspection of protective devices and measuring instruments;
  2. the preliminary critical examination of installation plans from the point of view of radiation protection;
  3. acceptance testing;
  4. periodic verification of the effectiveness of protective devices and techniques;
  5. periodic calibration of measuring instruments and periodic verification of their proper functioning and correct use.

In the case of low-risk practices for a Class III facility, this does not apply. In this case, the Health Department develops generic guidelines enabling the facility to ensure compliance with the above provisions.

Operational obligations of the head of the establishmen

School principals must:

  • conduct a preliminary assessment to identify the nature and extent of the radiological risk. This assessment will provide the information needed to develop general radiation protection procedures;
  • apply the provisions aimed at ensuring the radiation protection of exposed workers;
  • take measures to optimize radiation protection in and around their establishments, regardless of working conditions.

The head of the establishment must notify the Director of Health of any extension or modification within the building that is related to radioactive material.

Any cessation of activity must be reported to the authority that issued the authorization, which will set the health protection conditions to be imposed to ensure the management, disposal, or reuse of radiation sources.

Guides for facility managers, radiation protection officers, and radiation protection experts

The Radiation Protection Division has developed guides that enable facility managers, radiation protection officers, and radiation protection experts to fulfill their responsibilities in a structured manner:

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