Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority Regulation on Exemption Levels and Clearance LevelsSTUK SY/1/2018

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In accordance with a decision of the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, the following provisions are issued by virtue of section 49, subsection 3 and section 85, subsection 2 of the Radiation Act (859/2018) and section 7 q, subsection 1, paragraph 28 of the Nuclear Energy Act (990/1987):

Section 1 Scope of application

This regulation provides for the exemption levels of radioactive substances and the clearance levels of radioactive materials.

The regulation is not applicable to:

1) construction products as referred to in Regulation (EU) No. 305/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council, laying down harmonized conditions for the marketing of construction products and repealing Council Directive 89/106/EEC;

2) household water.

Exemption levels are not applicable to:

1) the use of nuclear energy as referred to in the Nuclear Energy Act (990/1987);

2) the manufacture, trade, import and export of radiopharmaceuticals;

3) the administration of radioactive substances to animals for purposes of treatment, diagnosis or research;

4) the manufacture, bringing to market, trade, import and export of consumer goods containing radioactive substances;

5) naturally occurring radioactive materials when they are not being used as radiation sources.

Section 2 Exemption levels

The exemption levels of activity concentration for solid materials are provided for in Annex 1.

The exemption levels of activity and activity concentration for a maximum quantity of approximately 1,000 kg of material are provided for in Annex 2.

A safety licence is not required under section 49, subsection 1, paragraph 2 of the Radiation Act, provided that the activity concentration or level of the activity used or possessed at any one time is less than or equal to the exemption level. Sealed sources are subject to the exemption level given to activity.

Section 3 Exempting the use of radiation from a safety licence in terms of a mixture of radionuclides

Pursuant to section 49, subsection 1, paragraph 2 of the Radiation Act, a safety licence is not required for the use of radiation in terms of a mixture of radionuclides if the mixture's activity or activity concentration meets the condition:

Kaava 1

where

Ak = the activity of radionuclide k

AE,k = the exemption level for the activity of radionuclide k

Ck = the activity concentration of radionuclide k

CE,k = the exemption level for the activity concentration of radionuclide k.

Section 4 Exempting the use of radiation from a safety licence when using several different radionuclides as unsealed sources

Pursuant to section 49, subsection 1, paragraph 2 of the Radiation Act, a safety licence is not required for the use of radiation when using several different radionuclides as unsealed sources, provided that the total activity meets the condition:

Kaava 2

where

Ak = the activity of radionuclide k

AE,k = the exemption level for the activity of radionuclide k.

Section 5 Clearance levels for solid materials

The clearance levels for solid materials are provided for in Annex 1.

Section 6 Clearance levels due to surface contamination

Surface activity is determined from the amount of loose and attached radioactive substances. Surface activity is determined as the average activity over an area of 100 cm2, if possible. Clearance levels for materials with surface contamination are provided for in Annex 3.

Section 7 Entry into force

This regulation enters into force on 15 December 2018 and is valid until further notice.

This regulation applies to any matters pending on the date of its entry into force.

 

In Helsinki on 14 December 2018

ANNEXES 1–3

Council Directive 2013/59/Euratom (32013L0059); OJEU L 13, 17.1.2014, p. 1

Reported to the Commission in accordance with Article 33 of the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community.