Radiation Protection and Safety Law

LAW OF MONGOLIA ON RADIATION PROTECTION AND SAFETY Chapter One General Provisions Article I Purpose of the law 1.1.The purpose of this law is to specify basic requirements for the healthy environment and protection of population in current and future generations against exposure or potential exposure to radiation and for safety of radiation sources. 1.2. This law shall apply to all activities associated with mining and processing of radioactive ores in the territory of Mongolia Article 2. Radiation safety legislation of Mongolia 2.1.The radiation safety legislation is comprised of the Constitution of Mongolia; this law, and other relevant legislation which is consistent with those laws. 2.2.If an international treaty to which Mongolia is a party is inconsistent with this law, then the provisions of the international treaty shall prevail. Article 3.Definitions In this law the following terms shall have the following meanings: 3.1.1.Ionising radiation For the purposes of radiation protection, radiation capable of producing ion pairs in biological materials 3.1.2.Licensee The holder of current license granted for a practice or source who has recognized rights and duties for the practice or source, particularly in relation to protection and safety. 3.1.3.Occupational exposure All exposures of workers incurred in the course of their work, with the exception of exposure excluded from the Standards and exposure from practices or sources exempted by the standards. 3.1.4.Practice Any human activity that introduces additional sources of exposure or exposure pathways or extends exposure to additional people or modifies the network of exposure pathways from existing sources, so as to increase the exposure or the likelihood of exposure of people or the number of people exposed 3.1.5. Dose A measure of the radiation received or 'absorbed' by a target. The quantities termed absorbed dose, organ dose, equivalent dose, effective dose, committed equivalent dose or committed effective dose are used, depending on the context. The modifying terms are often omitted when they are not necessary for defining the quantity of interest. 3.1.6. Dose limit The value of the effective dose or the equivalent dose to individuals from controlled practices that shall not be exceeded. 3.1.7. Exposure The act or condition of being subject to irradiation. Exposure can be either external exposure (irradiation by sources outside the body) or internal exposure (irradiation by sources inside the body). Exposure can be classified as either normal exposure or potential exposure; either occupational, medical or public exposure; and, in intervention situations, either emergency exposure or chronic exposure. The term exposure is also used in radio dosimetry to express the amount of ionization produced in air by ionising radiation (see Average mammary glandular dose). 3.1.8. Radioactive waste Material, whatever its physical form, remaining from practices or interventions and for which no further use is foreseen (i) that contains or is contaminated with radioactive substances and has an activity or activity concentration higher than the level from regulatory requirements, and (ii) exposure to which is not excluded from the Standards. 3.1.9.Radioactive ore Mineral resource, ore containing natural radioactive isotopes or decay products from uranium or thorium decay chain. 3.1.10. Source Anything that may cause radiation exposure, such as by emitting ionizing radiation or releasing radioactive substances or materials. For example, materials emitting radon are sources in the environment, a sterilization gamma irradiation unit is a source for the practice of radiation preservation of food, an X ray unit may be a source for the practice of radiodiagnosis, and a nuclear power plant is a source for the practice of generating electricity by nuclear power. A complex or multiple installation situated at one location or site may, as appropriate, be considered a single source for the purposes of application of the Standards. 3.1.11. Registration A form of authorization for practices of low or moderate risks whereby the legal person responsible for the practice has, as appropriate, prepared and submitted a safety assessment of the facilities and equipment to the Regulatory Authority. The practice or use is authorized with conditions or limitations as appropriate. The requirements for safety assessment and the conditions or limitations applied to the practice should be less severe than those for licensing. 3.1.12. Authorization A permission granted in a document by the Regulatory Authority to a legal person who has submitted an application to carry out a practice or any other action described in the General Obligations for practices of the Standards (see paras 2.7 and 2.8). The authorization can take the form of a registration or a licence. 3.1.13. Licence An authorization granted by the Regulatory Authority on the basis of a safety assessment and accompanied by specific requirements and conditions to be complied with by the licensee. 3.1.14. Protection and safety The protection of people against exposure to ionizing radiation or radioactive substances and the safety of radiation sources, including the means for achieving such protection and safety, such as the various procedures and devices for keeping people's doses and risks as low as can reasonably be achieved and below prescribed dose constraints, as well as the means for preventing accidents and for mitigating the consequences of accidents should they occur. 3.1.15. Sponsoring Organizations International organisations, Mongolian or foreign companies who are sponsoring the activities 3.1.16. Medical exposure Exposure incurred by patients as part of their own medical or dental diagnosis or treatment; by persons, other than those occupationally exposed, knowingly while voluntarily helping in the support and comfort of patients; and by volunteers in a programme of biomedical research involving their exposure. Article 4. Radiation protection principles of practices 4.1.The radiation protection principles of practices are follows: 4.1.1.No practice of source within a practice shall be authorized unless it is deemed by the regulatory authority to be justified, i.e. likely to produce sufficient benefit to exposed individuals or to society to offset the radiation harm that it might cause; taking into account social, economic and other relevant factors. 4.1.2.The risk to benefit ratio must be optimised 4.1.3.The normal exposure of individuals shall be restricted so that neither the total effective dose nor the total equivalent dose to organs or tissues, caused by the possible combination of exposures from authorised practices, exceeds any relevant dose limit Chapter two Regulatory control and management system Article 5. Management system for radiation protection 5.1. The management system of activities for providing radiation safety in Mongolia consists the activities from the National Security Board under the President, The Government of Mongolia, Atomic Energy Agency, Regulatory Authority, Radiation Safety Board and other legal parts from users. Article 6. National Security Board 6.1.The plenary rights of National Security Board regarding radiation protection and safety as follows: 6.1.1.To carry out recommendations to the Government or other relevant organisations for providing radiological safety and protection of people and environment against ionizing radiation. 6.1.2.Other rights specified in relevant Laws of Mongolia Article 7. The Government 7.1.The plenary rights of Government concerning with the radiation safety are following: 7.1.1.Implementation of state policy on radiation safety and providing of implementation of radiation safety legislation 7.1.2.The resources for personnel salaries, equipment acquisition and maintenance, headquarters and inspection operation costs necessary for the Atomic Energy Agency to discharge it’s responsibilities shall be provided through the National budget and reviewed annually. 7.1.3.Adoption of the regulations of activities for Atomic Energy Agency and Regulatory Authority. 7.1.4.Other rights specified in relevant Laws of Mongolia. Article 8. Governor of districts and city 8.1.The plenary rights of local Governors are: 8.1.1.Organisation of activities for providing of implementation of radiation safety requirements specified in law, regulations or standards in the district scale. 8.1.2.Other rights specified in relevant Laws of Mongolia Article 9. Atomic Energy Agency 9.1.The Atomic Energy Agency (hereafter referred to as Agency) is a state administrative central organisation of the Government for coordination of all the activities of Government policy and regulatory control in the field ofdeveloping of nuclear technology, providing a radiation protection and safety and the activities related with the mining or treatment of radioactive ore. 9.2.The Agency shall has two main departments as follows: a.Radiation safety department including Mongolian regulatory authority and radiation protection service b.Technology department 9.3.The Agency should report to the Minister of science, technology and education 9.4.The chairman and vice-chairman of the Agency, who are to be a professional and is to sustain the Agency as a Regulatory Authority. 9.5.Chairman of the Agency shall be appointed by the Government. The chairman should appoint the vice chairman considering his experience and knowledge in radiation protection and nuclear technology. Article 10. The plenary rights of the Agency 10.1.The plenary rights of the Agency shall be: 10.1.1.To provide policy advice to the Government on issues relating to developing of nuclear technology, providing of radiation protection and safety, regulations of activities associated with the mining or process of radioactive ore 10.1.2.To administer the radiation safety law, regulations, standards and Government decisions regarding radiation protection 10.1.3.To adopt or revise of radiation safety standards, codes of practice sand to control of their implementation 10.1.4.To implement of international conventions and treaties relating to radiation safety and radiation protection, including the transport and disposal of radioactive sources and materials 10.1.5.To carry out environmental radiation impact assessments and to determine an radiation level of natural radioactivity distribution in the mineral resources 10.1.6.To coordinate the activities of cooperation with the international or foreign organisations in the field of radiation protection and mining or processing of radioactive ore. 10.1.7.Prepare a qualified experts on radiation protection and nuclear technology at national level, and training for users of sources 10.1.8.To establish a nuclear technology and information database and to organise conference, seminars and workshops 10.1.9.Other rights specified in other relevant Laws of Mongolia Article 11. Financing 11.1.The Agency shall financed by from following sources: 11.1.1.Government annual budget 11.1.2.Income from the radiation protection service 11.1.3.Other incomes Article 12. Annual report of the Agency to the Government 12.1.Not later than 31 December in each year, the vice chairman of the Agency is to prepare and forward to the Minister a report of its work and activities for the 12 months in that year. 12.2.The Minister is required to lay the report as soon as practicable after receiving the report to the Government. Article 13. Radiation Safety Board 13.1.There is constituted by this law Radiation Safety Board (hereinafter referred to as Board) under the Agency is responsible for preparation of the Government policy on nuclear technology and radiation safety, implementation of the Government policy into practice and preparation of the radiation safety recommendations. 13.2.Chairman of the Agency , who is to be the chairperson of the Board 13.3.The Board is to consist of members appointed by the chairman, being representatives of the regulatory authority, users of sources and legal organisations considering their experience and qualification. 13.4.Structure and functions of the activities for the Board shall adopt by the Agency. Article 14. Radiation safety department 14.1. Radiation Safety Department 14.1.Radiation safety department has a Mongolian Regulatory Authority( hereinafter referred to as “regulatory authority”) and radiation protection service. 14.2.The regulatory authority is to be kept independent within the Agency. 14.3.The chairman of the regulatory authority shall be appointed considering his experience and knowledge in radiation protection and inspection. Article 15. Functions of the regulatory authority 15.1.Functions of the regulatory authority as follows: 15.1.1.Control activities on implementation of legislation on radiation safety and international conventions or contracts in this field 15.1.2.Evaluation of applications for authorization of practice 15.1.3.Granting an authorization of practice 15.1.4.Inspection on radiation safety and produce a statement, notice or records 15.1.5.Working out or preparation for adoption the radiation safety regulations, standards or codes of practice 15.1.6.Establishment of state register of radioactive substances or radiation generating equipments (hereinafter referred to as “radiation source”) and database; 15.1.7.to take preventative measures of radiation accident or incident and upgrading an emergency planning and working activities in emergency situations 15.1.8.exchange information on radiation protection and safety and providing this information to the public 15.1.9.carry out training of users for improving their knowledge and skills of those handling of radiation sources or organising a workshop on radiation protection Article 16. Functions and powers of state inspector on radiation safety 16.1.The state inspector on radiation safety (hereinafter referred to as inspector), who has the qualifications determined as appropriate by the Agency shall be carry out inspection. 16.2.Chairman of the Regulatory authority , who is to be the State General Inspector on radiation safety. 16.3.State General, chief inspector or state inspectors are appointed by the Minister of Science, technology and education. 16.4.Functions and powers of inspectors are following: 16.4.1.To exercise any function or right of a state inspectors under other relevant laws of Mongolia 16.4.2.Make such examination and inquiry and such tests as the inspector considers necessary to ascertain whether the provisions of this law or the regulations are being or have been complied with; 16.4.3.Take without payment, for the purpose of examination or testing the all the required information or reference materials from users 16.4.4.The inspector may serve a notice on a person if the inspector believes on reasonable grounds that any requirement under this law; the regulations or the conditions of a license or registration is not being complied with and the person is responsible for complying with it; or the person is responsible for any unnecessary exposure to or contamination by radiation. 16.4.5.The inspector shall be impose an appropriate administrative penalties, if violation of the legislation on radiation safety is not subject to the criminal Code; 16.4.6.The inspector may stop or temporary stop the activities of users, if violation of the safety requirements under this law or regulations 16.4.7.The inspector may appoint investigators, if required , agreed with their organisations 16.4.8.Take preventative measures for avoid from violation of radiation safety legislation 16.4.9.Use of any equipments or instruments which required in the inspection. 16.4.10.An inspector may enter premises for inspection or examination 16.4.11.Advertising or introducing of this law, regulations and safety standards 16.4.12.To search an reason of incidents or offences against this law or regulation, to produce a statement Article 17. Obstruction of inspector 17.1. A person must not assault, threaten, hinder or obstruct an inspector when the inspector is exercising any function of an inspector under this law; or 17.2. A person must not fail to comply with a requirement made by an inspector under the authority of this law. Article 18. Department of nuclear technology 18.1.The department of nuclear technology (hereinafter referred to as Technology department) is responsible for the policy advices for developing of nuclear technology and upgrading of radiation safety Article 19. Functions of technology department 19.1Functions of the technology department as follows: 19.1.1.To work out a Government policy on developing of nuclear technology, safety and exploration of radioactive ore 19.1.2.To provide an implementation of law and regulations in the field of radiation protection. 19.1.3.To implement international convention or contracts in this field 19.1.4.To organise the activities in environmental impact assessments for mining or processing of radioactive ore 19.1.5.To co-ordinate the activities in cooperation with international or foreign organisations 19.1.6.To prepare manpower in the nuclear technology and providing them training 10.1.1.To establish a nuclear technology and information database and to organise conference, seminars and workshops Article 20. Control of practice 20.1.The implementation of legislation on radiation safety and activities on use of radiation sources shall be controlled by Governors at all levels and inspectors from regulatory 20.2.The management of economic entities or organisations using radiation sources shall exercise a self-control (internal) over the use and allocation of radiation sources, the implementation of legislation, procedures and technological regimes within the entity or organisation; 20.3.Non Governmental Organisations may carry out public control over implementation of this law and submit their comments or recommendations to the Agency or regulatory authority Chapter three Enforcement Article 21.Notification 21.1.A notification shall be submitted to the Regulatory Authority by a legal person using radiation sources to notify an intention to carry out a practice or any other action described in the General Obligations for practices of the Standards 21.2.Notification shall not replace as license or authorization Article 22. A legal person who can provide an authorization 22.1.A legal person established and carried out activities in the frame of the Mongolian law sand regulations may hold an authorization of practice (hereinafter referred to as “authorization”) 22.2.Each authorization shall be addressed to one legal person only; Article 23. Restrictions on undertaking practices and selling sources 23.1. A person must not use, possess, sell or give away anything to which this section applies unless the person is the holder of a license or temporary license under this section and does so in compliance with any conditions to which the license or temporary license is subject. 23.2.A person must not change conditions of the License 23.3.The license holder must not transfer or pawn of the license Article 24. Types ofauthorization 24.1.The types of the authorization are following regarding the requirements and conditions : 24.1.1.Registration 24.1.2.License Article 25.Requirements for granting a license 25.1. The applicant who wants to hold a licence shall comply the following requirements: 25.1.1.Provisions of the activity related with the use of radiation sources 25.1.2.Approval on use of radiation sources from sponsoring or involving organisations 25.1.3.Producer’s certificate of the sources and it’s specifications 25.1.4.Defination of working place with ionising radiation 25.1.5.Radiation safety data sheet for the source 25.1.6.The applicant has appropriate knowledge of the principles and practices of radiation safety and radiation protection applicable to the activities proposed to be carried on by the applicant in pursuance of the license. 25.1.7.The certificate on ongoing activity of the company 25.1.8.Applicant’s name, address including telephone or fax numbers 25.1.9.Transfer order of the payment 25.2.Must not receive applications without any of documents specified in paragraph 25.1. Article 26. Granting authorization 26.1.The applicant may send an application in the approved form by the Agency to the Regulatory authority with other relevant documents specified paragraph 25.1. 26.2.The regulatory authority should grant an authorization within 10 workdays after receiving an application, if it meet all the requirements and attached all the relevant documents. Article 27. Validity of authorization 27.1.The authorization remains in force for up to 2 years regarding the working conditions. The term specified in a temporary license is not to exceed 3 months. 27.2.A license or registration (including any renewed license or registration) remains in force for such term as the Regulatory authority specifies in the license or registration, unless it is cancelled or surrendered sooner. Article.28.Renewal of licences 28.1.The license holder should send an request for renewal of the license not less than 20 days before end of validity to the regulatory authority. They must be attach following documents: 28.1.1.The certificate on ongoing activity of practice of the holder 28.1.2.Payment of the prescribed fee 28.1.3.Statement of radiation safety 28.2. The regulatory authority should decide for renewal of the license within 10 workdays after receiving an application for renewal, revising the attached documents. Article 29. Cancellation of license 29.1.The regulatory authority can suspend or cancel a license, registration or accreditation if satisfied: 29.1.1.that the grant of the license, registration or accreditation was obtained improperly; or 29.1.2.that the holder of the license, registration or accreditation has contravened a condition of it; or the condition was changed; or 29.1.3.that the holder of the license, registration or accreditation has been convicted of an offense against this law or the regulations; or 29.1.4.that, in the case of an accreditation, the holder has ceased working as a qualified expert; 29.1.5.that, in the case of a license or accreditation, the holder has ceased to hold a qualification on the basis of which the Regulatory authority granted the license or accreditation; or the holder impoverished; Chapter four Requirements for the protection from radiation sources Article 30. Protection from radiation sources 30.1. Users shall take measures at their expenses to protect human health and environment from the hazardous impacts caused by the use of radiation sources 30.2. A legal person using radiation sources in their activities shall comply with respective legislation, safety regulations and technological regimes Article 31. Basic requirements for production, export and import of radiation sources 31.1.A legal person engaged in the production, import, or export of radiation sources shall comply with the following requirements: 31.1.1.those who produce radiation sources shall prepare detailed information concerning the characteristics and impacts of radiation sources they use or have newly developed and obtain the recommendations of the Board 31.1.2.those who produce, import or export of radiation sources shall obtain the Board’s recommendations and permit from the regulatory authority 31.1.3.those who produce radiation sources shall employ professionally competent and skilful employees over 18 years old Article 32. Basic requirements for storage of radiation sources 32.1.A legal person shall comply with the following requirements for storage of radiation sources: 32.1.1.Keep or store radiation sources in specially prescribed warehouses taking into account the specific characteristics of radiation sources and comply with storage procedures determined by the regulatory authority 32.1.2.The radiation sources which its activities does not meet the technological or safety requirements, or unused sources or nuclear materials (hereinafter referred to as “radioactive waste”) shall store in the state special centralised warehouse 32.1.3.The state special centralised warehouse for radioactive sources shall be as a state exceptional object. 32.1.4.In the case of lose a radioactive source shall be notify urgently to the Agency, regulatory authority and police department; Article 33. Basic requirements on transportation of radiation sources 33.1.A legal person shall comply with the following requirements for transportation of radiation sources: 33.1.1.For transportation of radiation sources, radioactive waste,radioactive material, apparatusor equipment with radiation sources shall follow with the “Regulation on safe transport of radiation sources” 33.1.2.A legal person must not transport radiation sources together with any passengers, or livestock, or animals; 33.1.3. If an international treaty to which Mongolia is a party is inconsistent with this law, then the provisions of the international regulation on safe transport of radiation sources treaty shall prevail for international transport Article 34. Basic requirements on selling and transfer of radiation sources 34.1.A legal person which have a permit to produce, export, import or use of radiation sources shall have the right to selling, transfer or buying of radiation sources 34.2.A legal person described in paragraph 34.1 shall comply with the following requirements for selling, transfer or buying of radiation sources: 34.2.1.Obtain a permit from the regulatory authority for the sale, purchase, transfer or buying of radiation sources Article 35. Basic requirements for disposal of radiation sources 35.1.A legal person shallcomply with the following requirements for the disposal of radioactive waste and radiation sources which fail to meet use requirements: 35.1.1.For the disposal of radioactive waste and radiation sources which fail to meet use requirements, a statement of the state inspectors on radiation safety and a permit of the regulatory authority shall be obtained; 35.1.2.Radioactive waste and radiation sources which fail to meet use requirements shall be disposed of under the control of state inspectors on radiation safety Article 36.Basic requirements on use of radiation sources 36.1.A legal person using radiation sources shall comply with the following requirements: 36.1.1.keep a book of radiation sources being used and report on their annual use and allocation to the Regulatory authority no later than the 15th December of each year 36.1.2.Notify and register with the regulatory authority within 10 days of receipt of radiation sources 36.1.3.handle the radiation sources only in designated workplace fully complying with the occupational safety conditions and requirements 36.1.4.A legal person using radiation sources shall develop their own occupational safety procedures and submit them to the state inspectors for review; 36.1.5.take emergency actions to repair damages and eliminate damages caused by radiation sources in events of disasters and accidents in conformity with the respective legislation and technological procedures 36.1.6.train, at their expense, those who work with radiation sources and educate them how to handle radiation sources, how to prevent accidents and how to render first aid in case of accidents and providing a certificate them 36.1.7.take preventative measures, at their expenses, on possible accidents or incidents during activities using radiation sources 36.2.It is prohibited to mail radiation sources, deliver them through third persons or transport them by public transportation without permit from the regulatory authority 36.3.It is prohibited to produce or store radiation sources and preparations intended for use of weapons 36.4.It is prohibited to use radiation sources when their names, types, characteristics, purpose of usage and prescriptions are not clear Article 37.Transportation of radiation sources across the state borders 37.1.It is prohibited to transport radiation sources across state borders without a permit acquired in conformity with respective procedures 37.2.A customs department shall control the transportation of radiation sources across state borders in co-operation with the regulatory authority 37.3.It is prohibited to transport or re-export across state border radioactive waste or nuclear materials intended for use in nuclear weapons Article 38. Requirements for the occupational exposure 38.1.Radiation workers shall be work under the personal dosimetry control 38.2.Radiation workers must not exposed by radiation exceeded the dose limits specified in the safety standards 38.3.Radiation workers have a rights for providingradiation safety and healthy workplace or require it to the employer or to address to the regulatory authority Article 39. Requirements for medical exposure 39.1.A legal person using radiation sources for diagnostic or radiotherapy shall strictly comply with this law and other relevant regulations or safety standards 39.2.The instruments or equipments using for diagnostic or radiotherapy shall be calibrated and under the regular quality control and quality assurance 39.3.Diagnostic radiology and radiotherapy for the pregnant woman or children shall be decided themselves or a legal person who can represent them. Article 40. Basic requirements for use of natural radioactive ore 40.1.A legal person, foreign or international organisation engaged in the exploration, use, processing, export, import, concentration, transport dispose or rehabilitation ofthe natural radioactive mineral resource or radioactive ore (hereinafter referred to as radioactive resource) shall obtain a permit from regulatory authority. 40.2.A legal person, foreign or international organisations,who carry out the activities described in the paragraph 40.1 shalltake measures at their expenses to protect human health and environment from the hazardous impacts caused by the use of radiation sources 40.3. A person, establishments, company, foreign or international organisations who carry out the activities described in the paragraph 40.1 shall comply with the this law, and other relevant legislation. 40.4. For transportation of radioactive resources shall follow with the “Regulation on safe transport of radioactive ore” Chapter five Miscellaneous provisions Article 41.Liability for violation of radiation safety legislation 41.1. In the event of harm or damage to human health or property caused by illegal actions which violate requirements of the radiation safety legislation, the violator shall compensate for the damage 41.2.If a violation of the legislation on radiation safety is not subject to the criminal Code, the following administrative penalties shall be imposed by state inspectors on radiation safety: 41.2.1.for failure to register by the specified date with the regulatory authority upon receipt of radiation sources or failure to submit or intentional falsification of information on the use and allocation of radiation sources, citizens shall be subject to a fine of 5000 to 20000 tugrig and economic entities and organisations, a fine of 30 000 to 50 000 tugrig; 41.2.2.for failure to undertake actions to repair damages and harms caused by radiation sources or for the discharge of radiation sources into the environment in volumes exceeding the permissible limits, citizens shall be subject to a fine of 5000 to 20 000 tugtig, or economic entities and organisations50 000 to 75 000 tugrig; 41.2.3.for failure to meet official requirements of Inspector’s notice, citizens shall be subject to a fine of 5000 to 20 000 tugrig, employers 20 000 to 50 000 tugtig,economic entities and organisations 50 000 to 200 000 tugrig; 41.2.4.for violation ofparagraph 1.2 of article 20, paragraph 1.2of article 30, or paragraph 2.4 of article 33, citizens shall be subject to a fine of 30 000 to 50 000 tugrig, economic entities and organisations 100 000 to 150 000 tugrig; 41.2.5.for failure to meet requirements for production, export, import, storage, transportation and disposal of radiation sources or for operating without a permit from authorised organisation, the illegal income shall be confiscated and citizens shall be subject to a fine of 20 000 to 30 000 tugrig, economic entities and organisations 100 000 to 150 000 tugrig; 41.2.6.for the production, storage or delivery through third persons of radiation sources intended for use as a nuclear weapons, the illegal income shall be confiscated and citizens shall be to a fine of 30 000 to 50 000 tugrig, economic entities and organisations 150 000 to 250 000 tugrig; Article 42.Date of enter into force 42.1. This law shall enter into force on ...