Regulation No. 290 of 2001 establishing criteria for requesting a special permit (licence) or permit for activities with sources of ionising radiation

Republic of Latvia Cabinet Regulation No. 290 Adopted 3 July 2001 Criteria for Requesting a Special Permit (Licence) or Permit for Activities with Sources of Ionising Radiation Issued pursuant to Section 11, Paragraph two, Clause 1 of the Law On Radiation and Nuclear Safety 1. These Regulations prescribe the criteria that shall be observed when requesting a special permit (licence) or a permit for activities with sources of ionising radiation. 2. Citizens or permanent residents of the Republic of Latvia may request a permit for activities with sources of ionising radiation. 3. A special permit (licence) for activities related to the utilisation of government facilities of ionising radiation, or for carrying out significant changes, may be requested by an undertaking (company) registered in the Enterprise Register of the Republic of Latvia. 4. Foreign legal persons and natural persons registered in foreign states, or international organisations registered in foreign states may request: 4.1. a permit for temporary importation of sources of ionising radiation for demonstration, calibration, testing, or other similar purposes if the duration of such presence of sources of ionising radiation in Latvia does not exceed 30 days and the applicant for the permit already has a special permit (licence) or a permit for the performance of activities with the imported sources of ionising radiation in the relevant foreign state; and 4.2. a permit for each separate batch of sources of ionising radiation in transit. 5. Permanent representation offices (branches, departments) of foreign undertakings (companies) may request a special permit (licence) for activities with sources of ionising radiation if such companies are registered as independent taxpayers and registered with the Enterprise Register of the Republic of Latvia. 6. A special permit (licence) for storage of radioactive waste until the disposal thereof if the intended period of storage exceeds three years, as well as for the disposal of radioactive waste, may be requested by undertakings (companies) registered in the Enterprise Register of the Republic of Latvia, the activities of which undertakings specified in the articles of association are the disposal and management of radioactive waste (management, pre-treatment, treatment, preparation for long-term storage or disposal, and storage of radioactive waste). 7. In order to receive a special permit (licence) or a permit for activities with sources of ionising radiation the applicant for such permit shall: 7.1. ensure conditions for the safe operation and storage of sources of ionising radiation, as well as comply with the technical requirements of the producer set out in the operation documents; 7.2. ensure technical safety for the operation of ionising radiation equipment; 7.3. reduce to a minimum threats to the health and life of employees or third persons related to the construction and use of sources of ionising radiation: 7.3.1. ionising radiation; 7.3.2. electric shock; and 7.3.3. mechanical hazards, including instability of the equipment; 7.4. prepare adequate measuring instruments for radiation safety and nuclear safety; 7.5. be prepared for radiation accidents; 7.6. ensure that the qualifications of employees and the supervisor conform to the duties to be performed; 7.7. ensure the development of a quality assurance programme and quality control programme; 7.8. prepare an adequate repository for the source of ionising radiation; and 7.9. ensure development of an adequate environmental monitoring programme. 8. The minimum qualifications of the supervisor of the work shall conform to at least one of the following criteria: 8.1. higher technical education as well as: 8.1.1. completed accredited vocational higher or secondary further education programme in the field of radiation safety and nuclear safety; 8.1.2. work experience of at least three years, including the time spent to acquire education in matters of radiation safety and nuclear safety; and 8.1.3. certificate attesting the conformity of knowledge to the specifics of activities to be carried out; 8.2. higher medical education and a certificate in the speciality of diagnostic radiologist; or 8.3. higher medical education and a certificate in dentistry. 9. If the applicant for a special permit (licence) or a permit utilises only such sources of ionising radiation the maintenance of which does not require direct presence of employees, and the power of ionising radiation exposure dose during the working hours at a distance of one metre is less than 1 μSv/h, the minimum qualifications of the supervisor shall be as follows – general secondary or secondary vocational education and completed accredited vocational secondary further education programme in the field of radiation safety and nuclear safety, as well as work experience of at least five years. 10. Employees must have general secondary or vocational secondary education and a completed accredited vocational secondary further education programme in the field of radiation safety and nuclear safety. The professional conformity of employees shall be assessed by the supervisor, involving in the testing of knowledge and skills a representative from a professional association of the relevant field, or if such association does not exist, supervisors from undertakings (companies) where work with similar sources of ionising radiation is performed and similar activities are performed with such sources. 11. The Medical Treatment Law shall determine education and qualification requirements for employees in medical diagnostics and therapeutic radiology and in dentistry who work with sources of ionising radiation. 12. Accredited vocational secondary or higher further education programmes in the fields of radiation protection and nuclear safety shall include: 12.1. theoretical studies of the requirements prescribed by regulatory enactments with respect to radiation safety and nuclear safety, and ensuring the protection of the health of employees; and 12.2. theoretical studies and practical training on safe working methods, radiation safety and nuclear safety. 13. Supervisors shall be certified by: 13.1. a certification commission for supervisors consisting of at least three persons: 13.1.1. a representative of the educational institution that provides vocational further education, a representative of the Radiation Safety Centre, a representative of the professional association of the relevant field; or 13.1.2. a representative of the educational institution that provides vocational further education, a previously certified supervisor, a representative of the Radiation Safety Centre or a professional association of the relevant field; 13.2. for supervisors of medical diagnostics and therapeutic radiology and of dentistry – a certification commission of the relevant professional association. Prime Minister A. Bērziņš Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development V. Makarovs These Regulations come into force on 7 July 2001.