IN SHORT
Radiation sources subject to registration shall be reported to the DSA via our registration system for radiation sources.
This is a web-based register that gives us an overview of all registered radiation sources in Norway, while also enabling undertakings to meet the registration requirement.
The radiation sources shall not be used until the undertaking has received a confirmation from us that the registrations have been processed.
Undertakings that expect to acquire, lease, use or handle radiation sources that are subject to registration shall register their activities and each radiation source to the DSA via the registration system (also referred to as the source register).
Radiation sources subject to registration
The radiation sources that are subject to registration are specified in Section 13 of the Radiation Protection Regulations, and in conditions attached to any authorisations for radiation use that individual undertakings may hold under Section 9 or Section 10 of the Radiation Protection Regulations.
The registration requirement covers procurement, leasing, use and handling of the following ionising radiation sources:
- X-ray machines
- accelerators
- radioactive sources with activity levels above the exemption limits in the annex to the Radiation Protection Regulations
A number of non-ionising radiation sources, such as solariums, class 4 lasers, intense pulsed light (IPL), MRI and other detection techniques, are also subject to registration requirements under Section 13 of the Radiation Protection Regulations or conditions attached to the authorisation.
Short-term use of the above radiation sources must also be reported to DSA via the registration system.
Registration of activities in the registration system
Login to the DSA registration system is via the ID portal (e.g. BankID). New users are automatically sent to the page for creating a new organisation. The organisation number of the undertaking/organisation and e-mail address are entered here, along with the user’s name and e-mail. Other contact information is also requested, and mobile numbers must be entered in order for BankID to work on a mobile.
The name and address of the organisation are retrieved from the Brønnøysund Register Centre based on the organisation number entered. The undertaking’s/organisation’s radiation protection coordinator(s) must also be entered, as the radiation protection coordinator will act as a contact person for the DSA, cf. Section 17 of the Radiation Protection Regulations.
Once this information has been entered, you can set up the desired organisation structure and enter radiation sources. Other users can be added for the same organisation.
Set up organisation structures
In the registration system, it is possible to build an organisation structure that reflects the actual organisation. This is done by filling out the structure using “Create department” under the “My organisation” tab, then using “Create room/placement” in the appropriate place in the structure.
Each room/placement is given a separate identification number called an EMS ID, which consists of the organisation number of the organisation plus a serial number. Once the desired structure has been created, one or more radiation sources can be entered for each room/placement.
Entering radiation sources
Radiation sources are entered under the “My registrations” tab using the “Create new registration” button. The relevant registration form can then be selected. The following registration forms are available:
- X-ray source
- Sealed radioactive source
- Open radioactive source
- Laser and IPL
- MRI and other imaging technology
- Accelerator
- Solarium – UV source
What information must be entered with the registration will depend on the type of form.
Feedback from the DSA
When a registration of a radiation source is submitted, the undertaking immediately receives an acknowledgement by return e-mail, but only when the DSA has processed the registration will the undertaking receive confirmation that it has met the registration requirement under Section 13. The radiation source can only be used when the undertaking has received this confirmation.
Dealers should check that radiation sources have been registered to the DSA
Note that in connection with authorisation pursuant to Section 9(r) of the Radiation Protection Regulations for the sale or leasing of radiation sources, it is always a condition of the authorisation that radiation sources shall not be supplied to or installed at customers before the undertaking can present a written confirmation from DSA that the equipment has been registered and can be used.
The registration number for the source should usually be provided to the dealer, which must include the registration numbers of traded sources in its annual reports to the DSA.
Updating information
The undertakings themselves are responsible for ensuring that information entered in the DSA’s registration system is always up to date and correct. It is therefore important to remember that any change of radiation protection coordinator, procurement of new equipment, disposal of radiation sources, etc. must be entered in the registration system. The list of reported sources shall reflect the undertaking’s own source list, cf. requirement in Section 21 of the Radiation Protection Regulations.
Once a radiation source has been registered, information about the source can be updated at any time. Under the “My registrations” tab, you can see all the radiation sources registered for a given room/placement in the organisation structure. By going to a specific registration and clicking “Edit”, the information entered for that source can be changed. You will also be able to update the “source state” parameter, which indicates whether a source is in use, in storage, sold, returned to dealer, and so on.
Radiation source disposal notice
Undertakings that dispose of or transfer radiation sources subject to authorisation or registration shall notify this to the DSA in accordance with requirements in Section 14 of the Radiation Protection Regulations.
For most types of radiation sources subject to registration, this is done by updating the source status in the registration system. Radioactive sources will then be given the status “Returned to dealer” or “Disposed”, while X-ray sources shall be given the status “EE waste/scrapped”.
If a radiation source is to be sold or leased, the source status should be updated to “Sold” or “Leased”. An EMS ID must be provided for the room/placement in the organisation to which the source is now to be sent. The purchaser/lessee is asked to accept or decline the purchase or lease in order to complete the transaction. The new owner/user does not then need to create a new registration, thus preventing the same radiation source from being assigned multiple registration numbers in the register.
If an undertaking disposes of a radioactive source by exporting it abroad, it is important to be aware that in addition to notifying through the registration system, a separate authorisation is required pursuant to Section 9(p) for the export of high-activity radioactive sources. A written application shall then be submitted to the DSA in accordance with Section 8 of the Radiation Protection Regulations.
Exceptions to the registration requirement
Some radiation sources are exempt from the registration requirement. These exceptions are described in Section 2 of the Radiation Protection Regulations.
Among the exceptions are radioactive sources with total activity (Bq) or activity concentration (Bq/g) below the exemption limits in the Radiation Protection Regulations. Such radioactive sources are exempt from the requirements of Section 9, first paragraph (r) and Sections 13, 17, 18 and 27, but are not exempt from other requirements in the Radiation Protection Regulations.