Public participation possible for amended permit of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
The Authority for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection (ANVS) plans to amend certain parts of the permit of the VU Amsterdam Foundation, Amsterdam UMC Foundation and B.V. Cyclotron Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam. This is necessary due to various factors, including relocation of the laboratories to a new research building at De Boelelaan in Amsterdam. Radioactive materials, among other things, are used in these laboratories. Until 2 July 2024, all individuals are welcome to make their submissions in response to the draft permit.
Below, VU Amsterdam Foundation is used to denote the name of the permit holder.
Relocation of radioactive sources and devices within own buildings
The radioactive sources and devices are currently used in laboratories in the W&N building at De Boelelaan 1081. VU Amsterdam Foundation plans to relocate these devices and sources to De Boelelaan 1100. This location is not covered by VU Amsterdam Foundation’s permit at this time. As a result of the relocation, the site boundary specified in the permit granted by the ANVS will be altered. VU Amsterdam Foundation was required to demonstrate that the sources and devices at the new location are safe for the surrounding area and the environment.
Number of laboratories can be expanded safely
VU Amsterdam Foundation has furthermore requested an expansion of the number of laboratories in which radioactive materials are held. We have concluded that this can be done safely within the current rules attached to the permit.
Authorisation for different method of recording fissionable materials
VU Amsterdam Foundation uses fissionable materials for scientific research and teaching purposes. They are required to keep precise records of the quantities of fissionable materials they hold. They have requested a change in the way fissionable materials will be listed in the amended permit.
Responses can be submitted before 3 July 2024
You may inspect the draft permit for the VU Amsterdam Foundation, Amsterdam UMC Foundation and B.V. Cyclotron Vrije Universiteit before 3 July 2024 (i.e. deadline for inspection is 2 July 2024). If you have any views on this draft permit you wish to present, you may do so by submitting a statement of opinion.
There are 3 ways to respond:
- By email: send an email to Postbus.Aanvragenenmelden@anvs.nl and put ‘Statement of Opinion concerning draft permit for VU Amsterdam Foundation, Amsterdam UMC Foundation and B.V. Cyclotron Vrije Universiteit’ in the subject line of your email.
- In writing: send a letter to the ANVS, Statement of Opinion concerning draft permit [for VU Amsterdam Foundation, Amsterdam UMC Foundation and B.V. Cyclotron Vrije Universiteit], PO Box 16001, 2500 BA The Hague
- By phone: call the Information Desk for Nuclear Energy Act permits at +31 (0)88 489 05 00, available from Monday to Friday between 08.30 and 17.00.
We will respond to all statements of opinion once we have made a final decision on the permit application by VU Amsterdam Foundation, Amsterdam UMC Foundation and B.V. Cyclotron Vrije Universiteit. We will include your statements of opinion and our response to them in our final decision on the permit. This decision will also be published on our website. If you have submitted a statement of opinion, you will receive a link to the definitive permit if you have requested one.
For more information
Please read the official announcement in the Government Gazette (in Dutch).