Directive No. 13/2006/CT-BKHCN on Strengthening the Management of Radiation Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources

 DIRECTIVE

On Strengthening the Management of Radiation Safety

and Security of Radioactive Sources

Along with the development of science and technology, radiation and nuclear techniques are increasingly being applied in various fields of life such as healthcare, industry, agriculture, scientific research, etc., bringing about significant economic and social benefits.

The Radiation Safety and Control Ordinance was adopted by the Standing Committee of the National Assembly on June 15, 1996, and came into effect from January 1, 1997. Accordingly, the Ministry of Science and Technology (formerly the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Environment) was assigned the responsibility to uniformly manage national affairs related to radiation safety and control under its jurisdiction. Since then, there have been many positive changes in the management of radiation safety and control. The legal framework in this field has gradually been improved, and the system of radiation safety and control management agencies at central and local levels has been consolidated and operated effectively.

However, in recent times, some radiation facilities, including those in specialized research organizations, have not strictly adhered to laws on radiation safety and nuclear energy, resulting in several cases of lost radioactive sources that could negatively impact public health and the environment, causing unfavorable public opinion. To address this situation and meet the requirements for strengthening the management of radiation safety and security of radioactive sources and implementing the Strategy for the Application of Atomic Energy for Peaceful Purposes until 2020, the Minister of Science and Technology issues the following directive:

1. The Radiation Safety and Control Bureau:

a. Organize well the state management work on radiation safety and control: ensure strict implementation of regulations regarding declaration, registration, and licensing for organizations and individuals using radiation sources; promptly improve organizational structure, enhance staff capacity and technical capabilities to effectively implement state management work on radiation safety; strengthen guidance on professional management of radiation safety and security of radioactive sources for ministries, sectors, and localities; cooperate with relevant agencies to study and develop a proposal for establishing a national response system for radiation and nuclear accidents to be submitted to the Prime Minister for approval.

b. Cooperate with the General Department of Standards, Metrology, and Quality to perfect the legal framework and technical standards in the field of radiation safety and control to ensure a legal basis for improving the effectiveness of state management in this area.

c. Cooperate with the Legal Affairs Department, newspapers and magazines of the Ministry (Science and Development Newspaper, Scientific Activities Magazine, magazines of the General Department of Standards, Metrology, and Quality, etc.), mass media agencies, and provincial Science and Technology Departments to intensify the dissemination and popularization of legal provisions on radiation safety and control: the Radiation Safety and Control Ordinance 1996; Decree No. 50/1998/NĐ-CP dated July 16, 1998 of the Government detailing the implementation of the Radiation Safety and Control Ordinance; technical standards ensuring radiation safety and nuclear energy; regulations on securing radioactive sources and other related legal provisions.

d. Cooperate with the Ministry's Inspectorate to intensify specialized inspection and supervision activities on radiation safety and control, promptly and firmly handle violations in this field; particularly focus on inspecting security measures for radioactive sources at radiation facilities.

2. Science and Technology Management Agencies of ministries, sectors, and provincial Science and Technology Departments shall organize the implementation of state management work on radiation safety within their assigned authority: guide radiation facilities to strictly comply with legal provisions on radiation safety and control; intensify inspection, supervision, and prompt, firm handling of violations in radiation safety and control; improve organizational structure, train, and enhance staff capacity to meet the requirements of state management tasks on radiation safety; annually compile the situation of radiation safety management and report to the Ministry of Science and Technology (through the Radiation Safety and Control Bureau) before January 30 of the following year.

3. Radiation Facilities Shall strictly comply with legal provisions on radiation safety and nuclear energy; inspect and review technical procedures for using radioactive sources; take protective measures for radiation workers' health, secure radioactive sources, control radioactive waste, and emergency measures when incidents occur. Annually, radiation facilities shall submit reports on the implementation of radiation safety work to provincial Science and Technology Departments or the Radiation Safety and Control Bureau according to the management hierarchy before January 15 of the following year.

In the short term, from now until September 2006, the Radiation Safety and Control Bureau, and provincial Science and Technology Departments shall urgently direct comprehensive inspections and reviews of radiation safety and security of radioactive sources at radiation facilities under their management; compile results and report to the Ministry of Science and Technology before September 30, 2006.

Require Science and Technology Management Agencies of ministries, sectors, provincial Science and Technology Departments, radiation facilities, and units under the Ministry of Science and Technology to responsibly study, understand, and implement this Directive.