Radioactive matter

The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) is consulting for a second time on the storage of radioactive matter.

Section 1 of the 1965 Nuclear Installations Act sets out which sites can be designated as nuclear installations and the standards a site operator has to meet to hold a licence.

During 2011, the ONR nuclear regulator consulted on its interpretation of this section in relation to where radioactive matter is stored.

However, having had a chance to take on board comments, the ONR has now proposed broadening the interpretation of bulk quantities of radioactive matter. Previously only installations capable of holding matter at least 100 times above the level specified under the Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations 2001 were covered.