Registration of sealed source devices
DECC has prepared this document to explain the process and procedures for the registration of your sealed source device.
The Radiation Control Act 1990 requires the registration of all sealed source devices. The purpose of registration is to:
- ensure that sealed source devices comply with specified minimum standards. These standards aim to optimise the protection of individuals and the environment from exposure to ionising radiation
- require the keeping of up-to-date records of ownership and location of the sealed sources contained within sealed source devices to ensure safe use, storage and disposal occurs in all cases.
Definitions
Definition of a 'sealed source device'
A sealed source device means equipment or a gauge, instrument or device that contains a sealed radioactive source and permits the controlled emission of radiation, but does not include a container used solely for storage or transport of a sealed radioactive source. Some examples of sealed source devices include:
- portable gauge
- borehole logging equipment
- soil density & moisture gauge
- density gauge
- neutron probe
- therapy device
- industrial radiography
- XRF analyser
- self-shielded irradiator
- beta backscatter thickness testing device
- analyser
- nuclear medicine gamma camera with attenuation/transmission source
- PET/SPECT camera
If a device does not contain a sealed radioactive source, but has the potential to be loaded with a sealed radioactive source in the future, the device is not a 'sealed source device' until the sealed radioactive source is loaded into the device.
Definition of a 'sealed radioactive source'
A sealed radioactive source means a radioactive substance sealed in a capsule, or closely bound in a solid form, so as:
(a) to prevent escape or dispersion of the radioactive substance, and
(b) allow the emission of ionising radiation.
Licensing for owners and operators of sealed source devices
A person who operates a sealed source device needs an appropriate licence to use the radioactive substances contained in the device.
If you wish to sell your sealed source device you need to have a current licence to sell/possess radioactive substance. Prior to the sale of a sealed source device, the seller needs to ensure that the buyer has either a licence to use the device or a licence to sell/possess radioactive substances.
How to register your sealed source device
- Submit a completed application for registration of sealed source device form (67 kb, requires Adobe Acrobat) with the required fee.
- DECC will issue a Certificate of Registration. The Certificate of Registration will include registration conditions, which are mandatory requirements imposed on the owner and must be complied with at all times
DECC requires all necessary information (and the application fee) to be provided with application forms. If all relevant information is provided, applications are usually processed on the day of receipt.
Licence numbers
For registration applications, the licence number of the owner (not an employee) must be supplied where a licence number is requested. The owner may be an individual, a company (not the company director), or a corporation.
Serial numbers
You must provide serial numbers of the device housing and the sealed sources within it, as required on the application forms.
Uniquely identifying your sealed source device
Sealed source devices must be permanently and durably marked (for example, by engraving) with a unique identifying number, such as the device serial number, the registration number of the sealed source device issued by DECC or an asset number issued by the organisation that owns it.
Buying additional sealed source devices
You must apply to register any new sealed source device, and each sealed source device must be registered separately. You must register each device with DECC.
Device on loan
If you loan out your device but are not receiving any money from the loan, you are still the legal owner and must register the device.
Guidelines and Certification of Compliance
At this time only fixed radiation gauges must comply with mandatory registration requirements contained in the document 'Guideline 3 – Recommendations for minimum standards & safety requirements for fixed radiation gauges'.
Owners of sealed source devices, other than fixed radiation gauges, need only register the sealed source device and comply with the conditions of registration.
DECC will develop guidelines about the mandatory registration requirements for sealed source devices. A compliance certification program will also be developed requiring the sealed source device to be inspected by a Consulting Radiation Expert against the mandatory requirements and a certificate of compliance issued (similar to 'pink slip' certification of motor vehicles). DECC will consult with owners about the certification requirements before bringing them into force.
Renewal of registration
Duration of registration
Registrations are valid for two years. Certificates of Registration will show the expiry date of registration.
Renewing a registration
DECC will send a renewal notification six weeks prior to the registration's expiry date. The renewal notification needs to be returned with the renewal fee.
Owning, buying, selling or giving away a sealed source device
Buying and owning
To buy (and therefore own), sell or transfer ownership or control of a sealed source device, you must hold a licence to sell/possess radioactive substances or a licence to use the device. Both buyers and sellers commit an offence if they are a party to a transfer involving an unlicensed party.
The owner(s) is the person(s) or entity that legally owns the sealed source device; this includes the lessee of a sealed source device.
In a small business, the owner might be the person who owns the business. The owner can use the sealed source device, but only if the owner is a natural person, such as a sole trader and has a licence to use the device.
In larger organisations, the legal owner may be a hospital, university or a soil testing company. The organisation must hold a licence to sell/possess radioactive substances. Family trusts are not legal entities so the names of all owners in the trust have to be listed on the registration application.
Definition of 'sell'
'Sell' in relation to sealed source devices means sell by wholesale or retail, and includes barter, supply for profit, lease, let out on hire, offer or expose for sale, receive for sale, have in possession for sale, send, forward or deliver for sale, and cause, suffer or allow to be sold, offered, or exposed for sale.
Selling
If you wish to sell your sealed source device you need to have a current licence to sell/possess a radioactive substances. Prior to the sale of a sealed source device, the seller needs to ensure that the buyer has either a licence to use the device or a licence to sell/possess radioactive substances. You must notify DECC of the sale and apply for the transfer of the registration into the name of a new owner using the form Application for Transfer of Registration and Notification of Sale or Give Away (71 kb; requires Adobe Acrobat).
Giving away
You must hold either a licence to sell/possess radioactive substances or a licence to use the device if the sealed source device is being given away, and you must complete the form Application for Transfer of Registration and Notification of Sale or Give Away (71 kb; requires Adobe Acrobat).
In both cases, you can only sell or give away the sealed source device to a company that has a licence to sell/possess radioactive substances, or to a person who is a sole trader and has an appropriate licence to use or sell/possess radioactive substances.
When transferring a registration to a new owner, both the transfer application form and transfer fee must be provided (see below for details on how to transfer registrations).
Transferring a registration
Whenever a registered device is sold (see the definition of 'sell') or given away, the registration must be transferred into the name of the new owner.
The current owner must apply to DECC for a transfer using the form Application for Transfer of Registration and Notification of Sale or Give Away(71 kb; requires Adobe Acrobat). The current owner must also pay the transfer application fee and verify that information such as licence details of the new owner are correct. The licence number of the owner in whose name the sealed source device is currently registered (i.e. the seller) should be given on the form.
On receipt of the transfer application, DECC will confirm the transfer details with the new owner. If the transfer application is approved, DECC will issue a Certificate of Registration to the new owner.
In all cases:
- The new owner must not use the sealed source device until a new Certificate of Registration has been issued. The registration number of the sealed source device will remain the same.
- If the sealed source device is being sold the owner must have a licence to sell/possess radioactive substances. A licence to use radioactive substances is not appropriate to sell the device.
- If the sealed source device is being given away, the giver must hold either a licence to use the device or a licence to sell/possess radioactive substances.
- The buyer or recipient of the sealed source device must have a valid licence to use the device or a licence to sell/possess radioactive substances.
Disposal of sealed radioactive sources within the sealed source device
The owner of the sealed source device must obtain written consent from DECC to dispose of the sealed radioactive source(s) within the sealed source device. This includes sealed source devices that are disposed of privately or commercially.
Further information
For further information about sealed source devices, telephone DECC, Hazardous Materials and Radiation Section on 131 555.