Peregrion Leiden granted licence to conduct research on radioactive materials
Peregrion Leiden may conduct research on radioactive materials and on devices that release radiation. The company carries out these activities at Zernikedreef 9 in Leiden. Our licence specifies the safety requirements that Peregrion must meet. Interested parties have the right to appeal against this licensing decision until midnight on 12 March 2025.
Studying samples
Peregrion studies sample materials in its laboratory. These samples take the form of a small quantity of a solid or liquid, such as human tissue or a bodily fluid. This enables Peregrion to study such things as how quickly the body processes medicines. Using human materials for such studies enables reduced animal use in medicine testing.
Measuring the amount of radioactive carbon
Peregrion requires small amounts of radioactive carbon (C-14) for these studies. The company uses special devices to take these measurements. These enable the company to measure how much C-14 the samples contain, even if the amounts are miniscule.
Peregrion must protect people and the environment
For the licence, Peregrion must demonstrate safe practices in handling radioactive materials. Radiation is released when the company uses these devices. The levels remain well below that permitted by law, which means that this does not impact people’s health.
The licence also requires Peregrion to take precautionary measures to protect its employees. The company must also produce a plan for the safe storage and disposal of radioactive materials to ensure the safety of local residents and the environment.
Independent organisation with its own licence
TNO Leiden already conducts this kind of research at this location. Peregrion was formerly part of TNO Leiden and is now continuing as an independent organisation at the same location. Due to this change in status, the company requires its own licence.
Statement of opinion on genetically modified organisms does not apply to ANVS
The Dutch Environmental Protection Agency responded to our 22 November 2024 draft licence. The Environmental Protection Agency responded to our licence with a statement of opinion, because this location has a licence to work with genetically modified organisms.
This statement of opinion is not intended for the ANVS. We only issue licences for research using radioactive carbon and devices in which radiation is released. We are therefore not modifying our licence. You can find the statement of opinion and our response in the licence.
Appeals possible until 12 March 2025
If you are an interested party and you are directly affected by our decision to grant this licence, you have the right to appeal against the licensing decision (in Dutch) until midnight on 12 March 2025. This is also possible if you cannot reasonably be held accountable for having failed to submit a statement of opinion earlier. The previous submission deadline was 3 January 2025.
For more information
Please read the official announcement (in Dutch) in the Government Gazette.