Licensing

AUTHORISATION/LICENSING OF FACILITIES

A. ESTABLISHMENT OF COUNCIL

Introduction


The Atomic Energy Council (AEC) is a government body established by the Atomic Energy Act No.24 of 2008, Laws of Uganda. AEC is governed by a policy organ of five members appointed by the Hon. Minister of Energy and Mineral Development and approved by Cabinet. and has a Secretariat which is the technical arm headed by the Secretary, who is also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Mandate

i. To regulate the peaceful applications of ionizing radiation for protection and safety of society and environment from dangers resulting from ionizing radiation
ii. Provide for the regulation of the development of nuclear energy for use in power generation in compliance with international safety requirements
iii. Advise government and other Agencies on matters within the competence of the Council.

Functions of Council

The functions of council are stipulated in section 9 of the act, however the core ones include;
i. Development of Regulations and Guides.
ii. Review & Assessment of notifications & applications.
iii. Inspections and Enforcement.
iv. Licensing of facilities and activities
v. Monitoring of occupationally exposed workers
vi. Communication & Consultation with the public and stakeholders

B. LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR AUTHORIZATION

  1. Authorisation: means permission granted in writing by the Council to a person who has submitted an application to carry out a practice, and may take the form of a certificate of registration, license or permit granted by the Council under section 37 of the Act;
  2. Section 9(b) of the Act empowers Council to issue authorisations and grant exemptions for the possession and use of radiation sources;
  3. And 9 (i) to prescribe and collect fees for authorisations, inspections and other related services;
  4. Section 32 of the act – No practice without authorisation (1) Subject to Section 33
  5. No person shall acquire, own, possess, operate, import, export, hire, loan, receive, use, install, commission, decommission, transport, store, sell, distribute, dispose of, transfer, modify, upgrade, process, manufacture or undertake any practice related to the application of atomic energy and regulated by this Act unless permitted by an authorisation issued under this Act.

C. PRACTICES LICENSED BY AEC


D. TYPES OF AUTHORIZATION


E. PERMITS AND LICENSES ISSUED BY AEC


Council issues a number of authorizations for purposes of regulating practices and activities involving the use of ionizing radiation i.e.

1. Licence to Possess and Use radiation sources (Medical and Industrial). (Form 2B & 2A)
 2. Permit to Import/Export radiation sources. (Form 4)
 3. Permit to Transport radiation sources within the country. (Form 8)
 4. Permit to Sell, Transfer, and Loan or Lease a radiation source. (Form 7)
 5. Permit to make Modifications of radiation devices, materials or premises. (Form 6)
 6. Permit to use Radiation Premises. (Form 3)
 7. Permit to Decommission a facility with radioactive materials (Form 9)
 8. Registration certificate to Administer Ionising Radiation to persons or patients. (Form 5)
Note: These applications are downloadable from the AEC website (www.atomiccouncil.go.ug)

Attachments to Application forms
1. Quality Assurance Program,
2. Safety Assessment Report,
3. Local rules,
4. Emergency Plan,
5. Academic documents of radiation workers,
6. Facility Layout & design,
7. Appointment of Radiation Safety Officer, among others

F. DURATION OF AUTHORIZATION RENEWAL (SCHEDULE 10, TABLE 2)



Note: Section 41(2) of the Atomic Energy Act No. 24 of 2008, requires that you apply for renewal of a license ninety days (90) before the expiry date.

G. PROCESS FOR AUTHORIZATION





F. DURATION OF AUTHORIZATION RENEWAL (SCHEDULE 10, TABLE 2)





I. STATISTICS

  1. AEC has issued a total of 913 licenses between 2011 and August 13, 2019.
  2. As at 13/08/2019, a total of 352 valid licenses for possess and use (P&U) have been issued to 281 facilities out of 416 active facilities recorded in our databases making a percentage of 67.5% of registered facilities.
  3. Some facilities are not yet licensed majorly because they do not meet the basic regulatory requirements to ensure radiation protection and safety of the workers and the general public in these facilities.
  4. AEC works hand in hand with unlicensed facilities by providing them with guidance documents concerning radiation protection and safety and recommendations on how to achieve the required level of safety in their respective practices








K. ROLES OF LEGAL PERSONS


1. Ensure that radiation sources acquire the necessary authorizations before commencement of practices/operations (Import permit & Possess and Use).
2. Ensure that RSOs are appointed with clear roles and responsibilities.
3. Ensure that RSOs prepare the necessary documentation in form of attachments to the application.
4. Apply for renewal of Authorization 90 days prior to the expiry to allow for timely review and assessment of the documentations.
5. Ensure that Radiation Safety Committees sit on regular basis (preferably quarterly).

L. CHALLENGES


a. Late submission of application forms
b. Import of radiation sources without authorization
c. Late/Delayed Renewal of authorization
d. Late payment of authorization fees
e. Lack of proper documentation (attachments)
f. Applications not signed by the legal person

DOWNLOADS FOR licensing and authorisation