# Radioactive Substances Act 1993

**Full title:** Radioactive Substances Act 1993
**Citation:** 1993 c. 12
**Official source:** [legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1993/12](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1993/12)
**Status:** Largely repealed — replaced in England and Wales by EPR 2016; replaced in Scotland by EASR 2018. Still applies in Northern Ireland.
**Docket reference:** Ch06 Section 6.5 legislation table

## Purpose

The RSA 1993 consolidated earlier legislation (Radioactive Substances Act 1960) governing the keeping, use, accumulation, and disposal of radioactive substances and radioactive waste. It required registration of users and authorisation of disposals.

## Key Provisions (as originally enacted)

### Registration and Authorisation

- **Sections 6-8:** Registration of users of radioactive materials — anyone keeping or using radioactive material above specified thresholds had to register with the relevant environment agency.
- **Sections 13-14:** Authorisation for accumulation and disposal of radioactive waste — operators needed specific authorisation for how they accumulated, stored, and disposed of radioactive waste.
- **Section 15:** Conditions could be attached to authorisations, covering waste volumes, activity limits, disposal routes, and monitoring requirements.

### Exemptions

- **Sections 2-3 and Schedules:** Certain substances and premises were exempt from registration, including those below de minimis thresholds.

### Enforcement

- **Sections 20-25:** Powers of entry, inspection, and offences for non-compliance.

## Repeal and Replacement

| Jurisdiction | Replaced by | Year |
|-------------|-------------|------|
| England and Wales | Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010, consolidated in EPR 2016 | 2010/2016 |
| Scotland | Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations 2018 (EASR) | 2018 |
| Northern Ireland | **Still in force** | -- |

In England and Wales, radioactive substances regulation is now conducted under Schedule 23 of the EPR 2016, which integrates it into the broader environmental permitting framework.

## NFC Course Relevance

- Understanding RSA 1993 is important for historical context — many existing radioactive waste authorisations were originally granted under this Act.
- The transition from RSA to EPR/EASR illustrates the devolution of environmental regulation within the UK.
- In Northern Ireland, RSA 1993 remains the operative statute for radioactive substances regulation.
- The concepts of registration and authorisation thresholds introduced by RSA 1993 carry forward into the EPR 2016 framework (as "out of scope" and exemption thresholds).

## Cross-References

- [EPR_2016.md](EPR_2016.md) — Replaced RSA 1993 in England and Wales
- [NIA_1965.md](NIA_1965.md) — Licensed sites also required RSA authorisation for waste disposals