Radiation devices and low-risk radioactive sources are recommended by the Ministry of Science and Technology to increase the declaration and licensing period to 5 years, instead of the current 3 years, to help reduce costs and procedures.
The proposal stated in the draft policy impact assessment proposing the development of a Law on Atomic Energy (amended) was sent to the Government by the Ministry of Science and Technology and is collecting opinions from experts, scientists and people.
According to current regulations, organizations and individuals with radioactive sources and radiation equipment above the declaration exemption level must carry out declaration and licensing procedures. However, according to the Ministry of Science and Technology, in fact a large number of radiation devices, which are above the exemption level, have self-shielding designs and interlocks (can only operate when the emitting chamber sealed rays), along with the dose rate during use only approximately equal to the environmental background, safe for users.
Radiation devices in this standard include X-ray fluorescence analyzers used in industry to examine electronic circuit boards. In addition, there are a significant number of low-activity radioactive sources used for calibration (energy, performance) of radiometric recording equipment at research institutes and universities.
Notice board of irradiation line operations at the Center for Research and Implementation of Radiation Technology in Ho Chi Minh City, July 2023. Image: Ha An
According to assessments, these are considered radiation devices and low-risk radioactive sources. However, according to regulations, these devices must undergo licensing and declaration procedures every three years. This is considered unnecessary by the Ministry of Science and Technology, causing a waste of resources, costs, and time for organizations and businesses when carrying out procedures. State agencies with this regulation increase the workload in processing and storing licensing applications.
The Ministry of Science and Technology proposes to increase the time limit for declaring and licensing low-risk radiation devices and radioactive sources from 3 years to 5 years. The Ministry also advocates shifting administrative procedures in this matter from “licensing” to “registration” with simpler procedures in terms of dossier components, according to the guidance of the International Atomic Energy Agency ( IAEA). This helps organizations and businesses reduce registration costs and save time and travel when performing procedures.
According to statistics by the end of 2023 from the Department of Nuclear Radiation Safety, the whole country has about 1,000 X-ray fluorescence analysis devices with self-shielding structures. If the registration form is applied for a period of 5 years, businesses can save an average of 400 million VND per year. This number will increase further if the management agency considers reducing the registration fee due to simpler procedures in terms of document composition compared to licensing.
Currently, the revised draft Atomic Energy Law is based on 6 major policy groups, including:
Promote the development of atomic energy applications, attach importance to nuclear energy, equipment manufacturing, international cooperation and human resource training;
Ensuring safety and security of radioactive sources, radiation equipment, nuclear equipment and nuclear materials;
Inspection and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons;
Management of radioactive waste, used nuclear fuel, and used radioactive sources;
Responding to radiation incidents, nuclear incidents and civil liability for nuclear damage;
State management in the field of atomic energy such as: Declaration, registration, licensing and certification; Inspection, testing; handling violations; resolve the complaint report;
The Atomic Energy Law was passed by the 12th National Assembly (session 3) on June 3, 2008, effective from January 1, 2009. According to the Ministry of Science and Technology, after 15 years of implementation, the Law is no longer suitable for the domestic and international context, as well as the development of technology, so amendments are necessary. The Law on Atomic Energy (amended) will be registered in the 2025 Law and Ordinance Building Program of the 15th National Assembly.