Guidance

Shipping radioactive sources between the UK and EU

The processes that operators need to follow when shipping radioactive sources to and from EU countries.

• From: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
• Published: 31 December 2020

What operators need to do

You need to:

• read and understand the Shipments of Radioactive Substances (EU Exit) Regulations 2019

For shipments between the UK and EU states, you:

• no longer need to make a prior written declaration of compliance when shipping sealed radioactive sources to the EU
• no longer need to submit a return detailing all shipments of sealed and unsealed radioactive sources made during the previous quarter
• are responsible for making a prior written declaration when importing from EU countries - the process remains the same

There is no change to the processes for shipments of radioactive sources between the UK and the rest of the world.

Importing to the UK from the EU

Imports of sealed radioactive sources to the UK from the EU still need a prior written declaration to be made before shipments can take place. These can cover more than one shipment and can last up to 3 years.

Prior written declarations made before we left the EU remain valid from 1 January 2021 until their specified expiry date.

When a new prior written declaration is needed, this can be made to the relevant competent authority using the form for shipments of radioactive substances:

• Form for the import of sealed sources into the UK from the EU (Word) (MS Word Document, 63.5 KB)

• Form for the import of sealed sources into the UK from the EU (ODT) (ODT, 17.3 KB)

Exporting from the UK to the EU

The UK no longer asks UK exporters to make a prior written declaration when shipping sealed radioactive sources to the EU.

UK exporters to the EU should seek guidance from the European Commission and EU countries on any requirements they must comply with before shipping.

Contact the competent authority

Contact the relevant competent authority for more detailed information.

The competent authorities are:

• the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) for nuclear licensed sites (onrtechdiv@onr.gov.uk)
• the UK environment agencies for non-nuclear licensed sites:
  
  
  • in England, the Environment Agency
    (askshipments@environment-agency.gov.uk)
  • in Scotland, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency
    (rs.unit@sepa.org.uk)
  • in Wales, Natural Resources Wales
    (industryregulation.southeast@naturalresources.wales)
  • in Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency
    (ipri@daera-ni.gov.uk)

More information

See the related guides:

• exporting nuclear materials
• shipping radioactive waste and spent fuel
• radioactive waste disposal: reporting and notification obligations
• implementation of the Export of Radioactive Sources (Control) Order 2006

Published 31 December 2020