Dubai: The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) has warned the country's 200-plus businesses using radioactive material to be licensed by September 23 or face "quite severe" penalties.
Radioactive or ionising radiation materials are used in many fields such as medicine and oil mining, as well as in security scanners.
FANR Director John Loy said that under a 2009 decree regarding the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, the UAE government has stepped up control of such materials as a means of increasing security standards and avoiding accidents from lack of monitoring.
The law mandates that businesses using radioactive or regulated materials need to have a licence from FANR. It was issued in conjunction with the UAE seeking tenders for contracts related to the construction of its first nuclear reactor as it diversifies energy resources.
Sanctions
In the face of sanctions imposed on Iran for its nuclear ambitions, the UAE is making sure its development of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes is an internationally approved programme.
Loy said there is no fee for the licence. "We like to think there is a benefit in this for the industry. They will be following international standards of safety."
Deadline
After the September 23 deadline, it will be against the law to use radioactive materials without a licence from FANR and could results in "quite severe penalties", Loy said.
More than 200 applications have already been received by FANR, Loy said.
Applicants include government departments, private hospitals and hotels that use X-ray machines for security.
Do you worry about the amount of radiation you are exposed to in your daily life? Do you know where you can be exposed?
