Singapore solicits comments on proposed amendment to the Radiation Protection (Ionising Radiation) Regulations 
NOTE
February 17, 2023, Singapore officially published regulations on radiation protection. See more details below:
Singapore promulgates and implements general regulations on management of ionising radiation
On December 1, 2022, the Singapore National Environment Agency (NEA) published a draft amendment to the Radiation Protection (Ionising Radiation) Regulations (hereinafter referred to as RP(IR)R) and began soliciting comments. Comments will be solicited until December 14, 2023, and the amended regulations are expected to enter into force in early 2023. RP(IR)R regulates exposure to radioactive materials and ionizing radiation, and various changes have been proposed, including changes to the regulatory approach, streamlining the licensing system, and adding provisions for the management of radioactive waste.
The original text of the Singapore National Environment Agency (NEA) announcement on this matter can be viewed at the following URL:
https://www.reach.gov.sg/Participate/Public-Consultation/National-Environment-Agency/public-consultation-on-proposed-amendments-to-the-radiation-protection-(ionising-radiation)-regulations
Change of regulatory approach
NEA intends to amend the Regulations from the current practice-based approach (e.g. specific requirements for use of sealed source for medical therapeutic purpose, use of irradiating apparatus for industrial purposes, etc.) to an approach based on exposure (i.e. occupational, medical and public exposure). To effect this change, Parts X to XV of the existing Regulations, which provide requirements for specific practices, will be deleted. They will be replaced by three new Parts on “Occupational exposure”, “Medical exposure” and “Public exposure”, in line with the IAEA Model Regulations. Correspondingly, the provisions under Parts V and VI of the existing Regulations on “Control of radiation exposure” and “Medical and radiological supervision” respectively will be subsumed under the new Part on “Occupational exposure”.
Streamlining the licensing regime
The licensing regime will be changed as follows:
| Existing regime | New regime |
|---|---|
| L1 – Licence to manufacture, possess for sale or deal in irradiating apparatus | IR1 – Licence to manufacture, possess for sale or deal in irradiating apparatus or radioactive materials |
| L2 – Licence to manufacture, possess for sale or deal in radioactive materials | |
| L3 – Licence to keep or possess an irradiating apparatus for use (other than sale) | IR2 – Licence to keep, possess for use (other than sale) or use irradiating apparatus or radioactive materials |
| L4 – Licence to keep or possess radioactive materials for use (other than sale) | |
| L5 – Licence to use irradiating apparatus (other than sale)* | |
| L6 – Licence to use, handle and transport radioactive materials (other than sale)* | |
| L6A – Licence to handle and transport radioactive materials | IR3 – Licence to handle and transport radioactive materials |
| L7 – Licence to import or export a consignment of irradiating apparatus | IR4 – Licence to import or export a consignment of irradiating apparatus |
| L8 – Licence to import or export a consignment of radioactive materials | IR5 – Licence to import or export a consignment of radioactive materials, or transit or tranship a consignment of nuclear material |
In addition, licenses will no longer expire and license holders will be required to pay an annual recurring fee. The new fee structure will start from 2024.
Addition of provisions for the management of radioactive waste
NEA proposes to include provisions for management of radioactive waste (i.e. handling, processing, storage and transport of radioactive waste). In particular, new provisions shall be established for the application and granting of approvals for the accumulation or transport of radioactive waste as provided for under the RP(IR)R. The application fee for approval is 600 SGD (approx. 60,000 JPY). In line with the respective Articles of the IAEA Model Regulations, NEA also intends to include provisions on waste management, such as:
- Responsibilities associated with management of radioactive waste (Articles 72, 75, 76)
- Control of radioactive waste generation (Article 81)
- Radioactive waste characterisation and classification (Article 82)
- Acceptance criteria for radioactive waste (Article 83)
- Processing of radioactive waste from collection up to treatment (Article 84)
- Conditioning (Article 85)
- Storage of radioactive waste (Article 86)
- Management of disused radioactive sources (Article 87)
- Discharge of radioactive materials to environment (Article 89)
- Requirements for radioactive waste management facilities (Articles 92, 93)
