TANZANIA ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION
NOTICE TO ALL POSSESSORS AND USERS OF SOURCES OF IONISING RADIATION ON COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE ATOMIC ENERGY ACT, No. 7 of 2003
Under the Atomic Energy Act, No. 7 of 2003, the Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission (TAEC) is mandated in regulating peaceful applications of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation sources. Under this law, any facility emitting and/or activity involving ionizing radiation must be authorized by TAEC by means of notification or license prior to the intended operation, importation, exportation, transportation and change of ownership following ensuring radiation safety and security. This is to remind all possessors, importers, exporters, transporters, users and the general public that it is an offence to operate such facility and/or engage to such or related activity without notification or acquired a licenses from TAEC.
Currently, licenses to possess and use ionizing radiation are valid from 1st July of the previous year to 30th June of the existing year. It is also a legal requirement that the renewal of license be done three (3) months prior to the expiry of previous license subject to meeting all the necessary requirements. In this regard and as per the requirements, all the responsible stakeholders are obliged to comply and fulfill the requirement by 1st July 2018. Failure to do so TAEC will suspend the operations of their facilities and or activities, without any further notice. In addition, TAEC will also publish the list of defaulters on newspapers as required by the Law. The Atomic Energy Act provide powers to TAEC to take necessary enforcement actions in the event of violation of safety requirements, which include suspension of those facilities with serious violations that jeopardize the safety and security of workers, patients, environment and the public in general.
The Atomic Energy Act further requires that any person who contravenes, fails or refuses to comply with regulatory requirements, shall be guilty of an offense and liable on conviction to a fine of not less than three million shillings (3,000,000/-) or to imprisonment for a term not less than three years or to both that fine and imprisonment and the court convicting him may, in any appropriate case, in addition to fine or imprisonment imposed, make and order for the forfeiture of the radiation source in question. Rigorous verifications and inspections are now being carried out throughout the country, which include follow up inspections and unannounced inspections.
The cooperation of all involved organizations or persons is highly anticipated.
For further information, please contact:
Director General,
Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission
Njiro, Block J, Plot No. 216
P.O. Box 743, Arusha.
Tel: +255 27 2970050/51/52/53
E-mail: dg@taec.go.tz