Radioactive Substances Legislation

OSPAR Decision 98/2 on Dumping of Radioactive Waste

Meeting of the Oslo and Paris Commissions; agreement was made to renounce the possibility of resuming dumping at sea of radioactive substances, including waste. This Decision entered into force on 9 February 1999.

For updated legislation following Brexit, please refer to the pdf document downloadable from the Home & News Page.

The Carriage of Dangerous Goods (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2019	This regulation makes amendments to The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010. They implement the necessary safety standards to protect against dangers arising from exposure to ionizing radiation. These regulations came into force on 18 June 2019 and apply to Northern Ireland only.
The Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations 2018	The Radioactive Substances Act 1993 Amendment (Scotland) Regulations 2011 has been replaced by The Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations 2018 (enforced by SEPA). This order came into force on January 25th 2023. This order extends to Scotland only (up to 12 mile territorial water line).
The Merchant Shipping (Dangerous Goods and Marine Pollutants) Regulations 1997	These Regulations, which came into force on 1 November 1997, revoke and replace the Transfrontier Shipment of Radioactive Waste Regulations 1993. The Regulations extend the scope of the 1993 Regulations to include spent nuclear fuel for re-processing as well as shipments of radioactive waste.
The Merchant Shipping (Reporting Requirements for Ships Carrying Dangerous or Polluting Goods) Regulations 1995 (as amended)	These Regulations, which into force on 31 October 1995, revoke and replace the Transfrontier Shipment of Radioactive Waste Regulations 1993. The Regulations extend the scope of the 1993 Regulations to include spent nuclear fuel for re-processing as well as shipments of radioactive waste.
The Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations 2019	These regulations outline the safety standards required when ionising radioactive substances are present above certain thresholds. These safety standards include relevant hazard assessments and the subsequent planning to minimise these hazards. This legislation replaces the Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations SI 2001/2975. This regulation also amends the following relevant legislation: Radioactive Contaminated Land (Modification of Enactments) (Wales) Regulations SI 2006 Radioactive Contaminated Land (Scotland) Regulations SI 2007 Ionising Radiation (Basic Safety Standards) (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations SI 2018; and Ionising Radiations Regulations SI 2017.
The Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2019/185	These regulations apply to Northern Ireland only and transpose elements of Directive 2013/59/Euratom relating to exposure to ionising radiation in the work place. Principally, this includes the emergency preparedness and response elements of Directive 2013/59/Euratom. This came into force on 1 November 2019.
The Radioactive Substances (Modification of Enactments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2018 SR116	The Regulations cover provisions in relation to planned public exposure situations and existing public exposure provisions. by amending the Radioactive Substances Act 1993, the Radioactive Substances Exemption (Northern Ireland) Order 2011, the High-activity Sealed Radioactive Sources and Orphan Sources Regulations 2005, the Radioactive Substances (Basic Safety Standards) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 and the Radioactive Contaminated Land Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006. These Regulations also implement some additional measures to streamline and clarify existing legislation.
The Transfrontier Shipment of Radioactive Waste and Spent Fuel (EU Exit) Regulations 2019	These regulations will replace and revoke the Transfrontier Shipment of Radioactive Waste and Spent Fuel Regulations 2008/3087 and provide for equivalent procedures for the import, export and transit of radioactive waste and spent fuel into and out of the UK post EU exit.