(The complete text of this Act may be purchased from SNP Corporation Ltd. Alternatively, it may be viewed from Singapore Statutes Online at: link.)
Introduction
The Radiation Protection Act was first implemented in 1973 to control the import, export, sale, transport, possession and use of radioactive materials and irradiating apparatus, and was amended in 1991 to include the control of non-ionising radiation. In July 2007, the Act was repealed and re-enacted with amendments to:
(i) transfer the roles and functions of the Centre for Radiation Protection (CRP), as well as the administration of the Radiation Protection Act, from Health Sciences Authority (HSA) to National Environment Agency (NEA); and
ii) prepare for Singapore ’s ratification of IAEA’s Additional Protocol.
In 2014, the Radiation Protection Act was amended to allow Singapore to implement the obligations under the IAEA Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM) and its 2005 Amendment.
Under this Act, there are 4 sets of Regulations, namely,
- Radiation Protection (Ionising Radiation) Radiation Regulations 2023;
- Radiation Protection (Non-Ionising Radiation) (Amendment) Regulations 2019;
- Radiation Protection (Transport of Radioactive Materials) Regulations 2000, and
- Radiation Protection (Exemption for Transit, Transhipment and Carriage of Conveyance Equipment) Regulations 2014
Provisions under the Radiation Protection (Amendment) Act 2014
The Act also defines the appointment of advisory or technical committees whose duty shall be to advise NEA on any matter arising from the administration of the Act.
Under the Act, licences are required for the import, export, sale, manufacture, dealing in, possession and use of radioactive materials and irradiating apparatus. A licence is also required for the transport of radioactive materials.
Director-General may grant or renew a licence subject to such conditions, limitations and exceptions as may be specified by him. During the currency of the licence, he may vary, revoke or add any conditions, limitations or exceptions attached to the licence. He may also refuse an application for a licence, suspend the licence for a period of time or cancel the licence.
The licensee and every person who has been granted any approval by the Director-General under the Act shall keep and maintain records, and to furnish reports to the Director-General.
For occupational health and safety the Act states that every licensee shall provide:
a safe working environment to his employees such that they are protected from unnecessary exposure to radiation; - training and supervision for employees so that they can perform their work safely;
- all employees with prescribed radiation monitoring equipment including personal monitoring devices; and
- all employees with prescribed medical examinations
The licensee shall ensure members of the public are not exposed to risks to their health due to his undertakings or activities.
The Act does not allow radioactive waste to be disposed of or accumulated without the approval of the Director-General.
Any individual who is dissatisfied with the decision of the Director-General may appeal to the Minister.
The Act allows the Director-General to seek from any person, information or documents that may be required to meet Singapore’s safeguards obligations.
The Act allows the Director-General, or authorised officers or IAEA officers to enter any premises, to inspect or examine any matters or documents, take or measure samples of any matter, operate any equipment to examine any radioactive materials or irradiating apparatus and the premises where they are kept and to seal, seize and retain them if necessary.
The maximum penalty for infringement of the Act is S$100,000/- and 2 years jail.
The Agency, with the approval of the Minister may from time to time make any regulations which are necessary to give full effect to the provisions of the Act.