AERB Permission/NOC/License for Radiation Safety

In India the safety and security of nuclear and radiation related activities is supervised by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB). Any individual, business or institution that deals with radiation sources must obtain permission i.e. NOC/ LICENSE from AERB as it is mandatory. The significance of the license is that it safeguards the public and protect workers and the environment from radiation hazards. The license also ensures that the rules and regulations stated by Indian government regarding the safety and security from radiation related activities is fulfilled.

What do you mean by AERB Permission/NOC/License?

The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) issues AERB Permission/NOC/License that is a legal documentation, it allows the companies or individuals to use, handle or engage in the storing of radioactive resources and radiation generating equipment. The license is significant as it states the safety protocol and legal requirements that need to be fulfilled by the entities for example medical hospitals, research institutions, industries, or any other businesses that deals in relation with the radiation sources. The other activities in which the license is applicable are use of radiation in medical diagnostics, industrial usage, research and etc.

Why is the AERB Permission/NOC/License Required?

• Regulatory Compliance: In India it is mandatory to obtain AERB license if any company, individual, industry or institution deals with radiation related activities.
• Radiological control: radiation or radioactive substances are hazardous and may harm the health of the workers, public and the environment so, it is important to get a license as it ensures that radiation sources and handled delicately with precautions.
• Safety and Accountability: The NOC/license/Permission from the department is necessary for the safety and accountability as is a precautionary step to stop the unauthorized access of radioactive materials.
• Public faith: Public faith is important and necessary and the license gain that trust as the public who engaged themselves in the work or who were present in close proximity knows that radiation activities are taking place with safety and carefully and they are safe as the compliance has been taken care of.
• Governing Oversight: The AERB provides license after ensuring the safe usage of radiation sources and checks that the companies, individual or institution whoever is handling it comply with the norms, regulations, laws related to radioactivity and have the knowledge of safety standards.

Eligibility Criteria

The entities/organizations that are eligible to apply for the AERB permission/NOC/license are as follows:

• Government and Private Hospitals as they use radioactive materials for medical diagnostics and treatment.
• Research Institutions and Universities as they conduct research that involves the topic of radiation.
• Industrial units that uses radiation in industrial applications like radiography, testing, and sterilization.
• Radiation Equipment Suppliers and Manufacturers as they are engaged in the sale and distribution of radiation-related equipment.
• Any other organization that delas with radiation sources.

Documents that are needed

The documents that are needed for the application of AERB permission/NOC/license are application form, Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) name and qualification, site plan and layout, radiation safety protocols, training program details, equipment details or radioactive materials, in case of industries additional docs that are needed such as Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Previous Inspection Reports If needed, NOC from Local Authorities and any other approval from other authorities if needed.

Process for every steps

Step 1: arrange the documents like equipment details, site plans safety protocols.

Step 2: Fill the form and submit to AERB for review.

Step 3: AERB can conduct inspection before giving any approval to check the site that is fulfilling the compliance with radiation safety standards or not.

Step 4: The AERB technical team will review the submitted document and reports of site inspection.

Step 5: If everything is as per the protocols then AERB issues the license/ NOC/Permission.

Step 6:  Once the license is issued take care of the safety measures and prepare the docs for periodic inspection and renewals.

Timeline

It generally takes 3 to 6 months to obtain a license/noc/permission from AERB department if every documents fulfils the criteria that is necessary for radiation activities but if the situation is complex and there is issue in documents or site inspection does not meets the requirement then it can take a bit more time.

Fees and Costs

The fees and cost in relation to the AERB permission/NOC/license covers application fee as per the government mandate, inspection fee if applicable, consultancy fee, License fee, and renewal fee in case of renewal.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

If a unit is using radioactive materials or equipment without having the Failure the AERB permission/NOC/license or non-compliance with the radiation safety regulations it may result in penalties such as:

• Suspension of Operations: The operations will be suspended until and unless the compliance is not fulfilled.
• Fines and Penalties: heavy fines and penalties may be imposed by the AERB department.
• Legal Action: Non- compliance or fraudulent act may initiate the legal process against the organization or entities.
• Revocation of License: In complex situations or serious cases the AERB department can revoke the license if any misuse is happening in relation to radiation sources in India.

Why Choose Us?

• Professional guidance: our team of professionals have the knowledge of AERB and with their expertise they can guide you best in applying your license.
• Documentation Support: As we have knowledge and know better we can guide or assist you in preparing documents such as detail reports, site-plan etc.
• Save time: Our team of experts guide you better and manages to achieve the license in minimum timeframe that saves your time and make your situation hassle free.
• Experience: We have worked before in obtaining the license from AERB department as we have multiple clients that deals with radiation and we apply or do the renewal on behalf of them.
• Post-License guidance: We guide you from start to end and as a result we help our client in respect of renewal and inspection and provide you the best result.