The Shipments of Radioactive Substances Regulations 2019 (SI 2019/571)

Amends: Revokes Council Regulation (Eurartom) 1493/93 on exit day
Comes into force: BREXIT day
Jurisdiction: UK

These Regulations come into force the day the UK leaves the European Union and are only applicable in the event of a ‘no-deal’ Brexit scenario.

These Regulations control the shipment of radioactive materials between the UK and EU Member States, and only apply to sealed sources.

Before any shipment of sealed sources can take place, source holders are required to obtain a prior written declaration from the consignee of the source.

Prior written declarations are still to be made by consignees, however these now only apply to imports from the EU into the UK only.

The consignee must complete a prior written declaration on a standard form that confirms the consignee has complied in full with all relevant national requirements in the UK for the safe storage, use or disposal of those sources.

The declaration of compliance is valid for 3 years from the date the acknowledgement of receipt is sent by the competent authority. Any existing written declarations for shipments from the EU to the UK stamped prior to exit day which have not reached the end of their 3 year lifespan, will continue to be recognised as valid after the UK leaves the EU.

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

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

For more information click here.