Environment Agency Updates Nuclear Site RSR Permit Guidance

We use some essential cookies to make this website work. We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services. You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time. You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time. Nuclear site radioactive substances regulation (RSR), when you need a permit, how to apply, how to change (vary), transfer or surrender your permit Added two new sections: 'Case specific exemption' and 'Vary your permit to add disposal using case specific exemption' which includes a link to form Part RSR C6: variation to a bespoke radioactive substances activity permit to add or amend disposal by case specific exemption'. Updated the contact details in the 'contact us' section and 'help with your application' section. In the section 'When you need a permit' clarified that you may need a permit if you keep or use mobile radioactive apparatus (portable equipment containing radioactive material) away from the nuclear site. Removed out of date contact details in the 'help with your application' and 'contact us' sections. Added link to new application form Part RSR-C5: variation to a bespoke radioactive substances activity. This guidance is for operators of nuclear sites who are licensees under the Nuclear Installations Act 1965. It is also for operators who are tenants on nuclear sites. There is separate guidance for users of radioactive substances that are not located on nuclear licensed sites – known as the non-nuclear sector . If you know which permit you need and just want to find a specific application form or piece of technical guidance we have also published these separately. Radioactive substances include radioactive material and radioactive waste. The Environment Agency regulates radioactive substances activities to make sure they meet high standards of environmental protection. They do this under the Environmental Permitting Regulations ( EPR ) (2016) . If you are going to carry out a radioactive substances activity you may need to apply to the Environment Agency for a permit. You must do this before you start the activity. If you hold a licence under the Nuclear Installations Act 1965 you may need a permit if you: If you are a tenant on a nuclear licensed site you may need a permit if you: The Environment Agency does not regulate the accumulation of radioactive waste on nuclear sites by either licensees or tenants, the Office for Nuclear Regulation ( ONR ) does this. Mobile radioactive apparatus and radioactive material can include sealed sources. You will need separate permits for sealed sources and unsealed sources. A sealed source is a radioactive source where the radioactive material is permanently sealed in a capsule, or is in a solid form, and where radioactive substances cannot escape under normal conditions of use. The legal definition of a sealed source is given in the Basic Safety Standards Directive 2013 . Any source that does not meet the definition of a sealed source is called an unsealed source. If you need to apply for a sealed source permit, check the non-nuclear sector guidance for information about how to apply and the form to use. You may also need another type of permit if you carry out other activities as well as your radioactive substances activity. Check if you need an environmental permit for your other activities. You are breaking the law if you operate without a permit when you should have one. You do not need a permit if the radioactive substances you are dealing with are ‘out of scope’ or the activity that you are carrying out is ‘exempt’. Some radioactive substances are out of scope of the legislation ( EPR 2016) and so are not legally classed as radioactive material or radioactive waste. This means the Environment Agency does not need to regulate them to