Interim Statement about the regulatory status of small amount of radioactive substances added to lamps

HERCA, the association of the Heads of European Radiological protection Competent Authorities, approves an interim Statement promoting a consistent European approach to the processes of national assessment and regulatory decisions on the use of lamps containing small amounts of radioactive substances. With this aim, the results of national assessments and regulatory decisions on this issue will be shared in Europe through HERCA. As consumer goods are introduced in open markets in Europe, HERCA recognises more generally the need for harmonization of the radiation safety regulation of goods containing small quantities of radioactive material.

On 30 June 2011, at the occasion of the 7th meeting held in Brussels of the association HERCA, which brings together the Heads of European Radiological protection Competent Authorities, HERCA has approved an interim Statement promoting a consistent European approach to the processes of national assessment and regulatory decisions on the use of lamps containing small amounts of radioactive substances.

The working group met on 7 June 2011 inviting the European Lamp companies Federation (ELC) to express their views. ELC which had previously approached HERCA, shared with the Association an international regulatory compliance issue. Whilst the quantity of radioactive substances contained in each lamp is too small to require authorization by the regulator, the authorization criteria in European and national legislation can be exceeded when many lamps are used, stored, or disposed off together. The likelihood of such situation is now increasing with the growing demand for such lamps. Some European countries have already taken a regulatory decision on this issue and others are currently assessing the technical data in order to prepare their regulatory decision.

HERCA recognises that, as consumer goods are introduced in open markets in Europe, there is a need for harmonization of the radiation safety regulation of goods containing small quantities of radioactive material.

In particular, HERCA will share the results of national assessments and regulatory decisions on the on the use of lamps containing small amounts of radioactive substances to promote a consistent European approach to this process. HERCA will also share information with European Association of Competent Authorities (EACA) on the transport of radioactive material, since the regulatory compliance issue raised by ELC also covers international transport legislation.