Guidance
Shipping radioactive waste and spent fuel
The UK’s policy on the import and export of radioactive waste and spent fuel has not changed, but there are some changes to the processes that operators need to follow.
What operators need to do
You need to:
- comply with the Transfrontier Shipment of Radioactive Waste and Spent Fuel (EU Exit) Regulations 2019
- check whether your existing authorisations are valid. Authorisations for shipments with or via the EU are now no longer valid, except where the authorised shipment was already in transit on 1 January 2021
- apply for any new authorisations by contacting the relevant competent authority
- use UK documentation with every shipment instead of previously used EU documentation - you are committing a criminal offence if you fail to include appropriate documentation
For shipments to or from England, Scotland and Wales you also need to:
- apply for authorisations when importing from the EU
- include in your application evidence confirming that the exporter will take back the material if the shipment cannot be completed in accordance with the regulations when applying to import from the EU
- notify the relevant competent authority in the UK of completion of shipments to the EU using the notification of arrival form - failing to notify them is a criminal offence
Contact the competent authority
Contact the relevant competent authorities for more detailed information, including application fees.
The competent authorities are:
- 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 - administered by the Environment Agency
(askshipments@environment-agency.gov.uk) - in Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency
(ipri@daera-ni.gov.uk)
More information
See the related guides on: