Advisory on Sale, Distribution, Possession and Use of Non-Ionising Irradiating Apparatus controlled under Radiation Protection Act

Introduction

Medical and therapeutic ultrasound equipment, sunlamps and high power lasers are controlled irradiating apparatus under the Radiation Protection Act. A licence from the National Environment Agency (NEA) is required to import, export, keep, possess, use, manufacture or otherwise produce, sell, or deal with such equipment. Only licensed workers are allowed to operate high power lasers¹ and only registered medical doctors are allowed to operate class 4 high power lasers on humans. Beauty equipment suppliers are required to be mindful of these requirements, and not to supply class 4 high power lasers to beauticians.

In addition, under the Radiation Protection Act, no person may dispose of any controlled irradiating apparatus without the approval in writing of the Director-General of Environmental Protection.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. I suspect that I have an irradiating apparatus at my premises without a valid licence. What should I do?

   You should stop using the apparatus immediately and keep it in a safe manner at your premises. Do not throw away the apparatus. Contact the Radiation Protection and Nuclear Science Division (RPNSD) of NEA via the online feedback form or myENV app with the following information:

   1. Make/model/serial number of the apparatus;
   2. Where/whom was the apparatus purchased from; and
   3. Relevant import/purchase/usage records of the apparatus.

   NEA officers in RPNSD will advise you in writing on the appropriate steps to take.

2. What are the penalties for offences committed?

Any person who imports, exports, keeps, possesses, uses, manufactures or otherwise produces, or sells, deals with or otherwise deals in any irradiating apparatus without a licence can be charged in court and be liable on conviction to a fine up to $100,000 or to imprisonment for a term up to 5 years or to both.

Any person who disposes of any irradiating apparatus without approval from the Director-General of Environmental Protection can be charged in court and be liable on conviction to a fine up to $50,000 or to imprisonment for a term up to 12 months or to both.

Multilingual pamphlet

A pamphlet in English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil can be downloadable here.

Information on other beauty related equipment

•     IPL devices

•     Ultraviolet (UV) Sun Tanning Beds

¹ As stipulated in the Radiation Protection (Non-ionising Radiation) Regulations, high power lasers are class 3b and 4 lasers