Authorisation of disposal and accumulation of radioactive waste

F1F215 Further exemptions from ss. 13 and 14.

F3(1)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F4(1A)

The circumstances referred to in subsection (1) are that—

(a)

no radionuclide other than tritium, promethium 147 or radium 226 is present in any clock or watch on the premises (whether or not any radioactive waste arises from it),

(b)

no such clock or watch contains more than one of those radionuclides, and

(c)

either subsection (1B) or (1C) is satisfied.

(1B)

This subsection is satisfied if the total quantity of tritium divided by 10 9, plus the total quantity of promethium 147 divided by 10 7, plus the total quantity of radium 226 divided by 10 4, in all such clocks and watches does not exceed 1 (quantity in each case measured in becquerels).

(1C)

This subsection is satisfied if—

(a)

all such clocks and watches fall within a description specified in the first column of the table below,

(b)

radioactive waste arises from no more than five of them,

(c)

none of those five gives rise to a quantity of radioactive waste exceeding the figure in the third column of the Table corresponding to the relevant radionuclide listed in the second column.

TABLE

Type of clock or watch

Radionuclide

Relevant value (becquerels)

(i)

Watches bearing radioluminescent deposits and intended to be worn or carried on the person

Tritium

Promethium 147

Radium 226

2.8 x 108

5.5 x 106

5.6 x 103

(ii)

Clocks bearing radioluminescent deposits

Tritium

Promethium 147

Radium 226

3.7 x 108

7.4 x 106

7.4 x 103

(iii)

Clocks or watches requiring greater luminosity than categories (i) or (ii) above, and having their dials marked at the time of manufacture with “T 25” (tritium), “Pm 0.5” (Promethium 147) or “Ra 1.5” (Radium 226)

Tritium

Promethium 147

Radium 226

9.3 x 108

1.9 x 107

5.6 x 104

(iv)

Watches containing small sealed glass tubes internally coated with a phosphor and filled with tritium gas

Tritium

7.4 x 109

(2)

F5The Secretary of State may by order F6exempt particular descriptions of radioactive waste from any of the provisions of section 13 or 14, either absolutely or subject to limitations or conditions; and accordingly such of those provisions as may be specified in an order under this subsection shall not apply to a disposal or accumulation of radioactive waste if it is radioactive waste of a description so specified, and (where the F7exemption is subject to limitations or conditions) the limitations or conditions specified in the order are complied with.

(3)

In the application of this section to Northern Ireland, the reference to the Secretary of State shall have effect as a reference to the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland.