Radiation Safety and Control Act / Act No. 19 of 2019

Being an Act - (a) to provide for the safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear energy and ionising radiation; and (b) to regulate and control activities, practices and facilities, with the aim of protecting
individuals, society and the environment from the harmful effects of nuclear energy and ionising radiation; and (c) to give effect to the Safeguards Agreement and the Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (Non-Proliferation Treaty) entered into force on 13 October 1983, in ensuring the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and for related purposes.
This Act consist of 87 sections, divided into 17 parts; Part 1, preliminary which generally covers compliance with constitutional requirements, interpretations, application and that the Act binds the State; Part 2, Designation of a Regulatory Body, its functions, powers and structure. This Institute will be established under the National Institute of Standards and Industrial Technology Act 1993, designated as the regulatory body for the regulation and control of activities and practices under this Act; Part 3, radiation control and advisory panel establishment, its structure, rules governing members, arrangement of meetings and other functions. The panel is called the Radiation Control Advisory Panel. To provide technical advice and any other related advice on any matter to the Institute pertaining to the performance of its functions and the exercise of its powers under this Act; Part 4, administration of the regulatory body where it outlines the powers and functions of the Director General and its staff, the publishing of annual reports and finances where the National Institute of Standards and Industrial Technology Act 1993, applies to the finances of the Institute; Part 5, on licences generally, its application, scope, process of approval, terms and conditions; Part 6, licence for transporting radioactive materials, its safety and measures and requirements; Part 7, licence for radioactive waste management, its requirements, general principles and a person without a licence shall not export or import radioactive waste unless a licence is issued by the Institute; Part 8, terms and conditions on licence for export and import control; Part 9, fundamental principles of radiation protection, medical practices and occupational and public exposure requirements on safety and protection; Part 10, inspection and enforcement; Part 11, radioactive sources and categories where the Institute shall establish a system of categorisation of radioactive source and prescribe requirements for the system of categorization; Part 12, emergency preparedness and response. The Institute shall co-ordinate with the relevant bodies and provide advice to develop, and implement, where required, a National Emergency Plan for responding to potential nuclear or radiological emergencies. Also, the Institute shall not grant authorisation to conduct an activity or practice unless the applicant has developed an appropriate emergency preparedness and response plan and this plan has been approved by the Institute; Part 13, general responsibilities on nuclear safeguards and physical protection; Part 14, appeals where an independent Appeals Panel is to established for the purpose of reviewing decisions taken under this Act; Part 15, outlines administrative offences, theft, embezzlement and other related offences with its penalties; Part 16, miscellaneous based on restrospectivity, non-disclosure of information and availability of records to be made available upon inspection; Part 17, transitional provisions and savings; Schedules under section 49 stipulates the fundamental principles of radioactive protection.