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Management of radioactive sources

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If the radioactive substances activity you are undertaking meets the descriptions below you are required to make a Notification to SEPA for that activity. You don't need to notify SEPA if the activity can be carried out under a permit or registration that you have already been granted.

  • The management (other than the disposal) of a category 5 sealed source that contains an activity exceeding 200 kBq
  • The management (other than the disposal) of a tritium source that contains an activity exceeding 20 GBq
  • The management (other than the disposal) of an electrodeposited source.

Please note that although the management (other than the disposal) of an electrodeposited source appears as General Binding Rules (GBR) in Schedule 9 of EASR, SEPA has deemed that it should be a Notification since these types of sources must be transferred to a specialist contractor for disposal.

Authorisation level

Notification

Rules

The management of the 3 activities detailed above are authorised by Notification with associated General Binding Rules (GBR). If you intend to carry out any of these activities, you must make Notification to SEPA. 

If you carry out an activity under this authorisation you must comply with the rules. It is an offence if you do not comply with the rules.

If you cannot comply with the rules, you will need a different type of authorisation.

How to notify SEPA

Use our online notification service to manage any of the following radioactive sources:

  • The management (other than the disposal) of a category 5 sealed source that contains an activity exceeding 200 kBq. This activity has GBR 1 rules to follow.
  • The management (other than the disposal) of a tritium source that contains an activity exceeding 20 GBq. This activity has GBR 3 rules to follow.
  • The management (other than the disposal) of an electrodeposited source. This activity has GBR 4 rules to follow.

Alternatively, you can complete this form and email to RSnotifications@sepa.org.uk

Help and guidance

  • There's no fee to make a notification
  • You must submit separate notifications for each location

Notifications for category 5 sealed sources, tritium sources and electrodeposited sources expire after 3 years. If at the end of the 3-year period you still hold these sources, you will need to submit a new Notification at, or as close to, the date the existing Notification expires. Notifications cannot be ‘renewed’, the reference number for the existing Notification no longer applies once it has reached the expiry date and therefore a new Notification with a new reference number is required.