Transport of fissile materials, ores and radioactive materials: apply for a licence or give a notification
You must apply for a licence for the transport of certain fissile materials, ores and radioactive materials. In some cases you do not need to apply for a licence, but a notification is sufficient. You can apply for a licence or give a notification at the ANVS-loket. First, look below at what you want to transport and then check the table to see whether you need a licence or give a notification.
What do you want to transport?
Fissile materials
Fissile materials include all substances that contain at least 0.1 percent by weight uranium, 0.1 percent by weight plutonium or 3.0 percent by weight thorium.
Please note
The modal transport regulations refer to fissile materials, depending on the precise isotopic composition of the material. The Dutch definition of fissile materials is independent of the precise isotopic composition and only depends on the weight percentage of the elements mentioned in the material.
When transporting nuclear fissile materials, a distinction is made between category I, II and III fissile materials and other fissile materials. Category I, II and III material are fissile materials that require additional protection under the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and Nuclear Facilities (in Dutch).
If you apply for a licence for category I, II and III, you must have a transport security plan approved by the ANVS.
Medicine
A substance or a combination of substances as referred to in Article 1 of the Medicines Act to which radioactive substances have been deliberately added.
Please Note
All medical isotopes that are considered medical devices are not medicines. This means that bringing medical isotopes into and out of the Netherlands that are regarded as medical devices does not require a licence under the Transport of Fissile Materials, Ores and Radioactive Materials Decree (but a notification is required).
Radioactive materials which are used inside of patients are, therefore, also medicines and require a licence when importing into and exporting out of the Netherlands. An exception are, for example, the so-called iodine seeds; these are considered a medical device. Bringing these into and out of the Netherlands requires, therefore, a notification to the Authority.
For the sake of completeness: the transport of medicines between Dutch senders and recipients only requires a notification. The notification obligation does not apply to transport in the context of importing medicines into and exporting them out of Dutch territory, because this transport is regarded as an inherent part of the import and export under the Transport of Fissile Materials, Ores and Radioactive Materials Decree.
High active source
Sealed source of which the activity of the radionuclide contained in it is equal to or higher than the relevant value for that activity, included in Appendix 4 of the Decree on Basic Safety Standards for Radiation Protection.
Consumer products
Devices or products into which one or more radionuclides have been deliberately introduced, or which, when activated, produce radionuclides or which emit ionizing radiation, and which can be sold or made available to members of the public after sale without supervision or licence.
Please Note
It is prohibited to import and export food, toys, jewelry, cosmetic products and animal food to which radioactive substances have been deliberately added.
Radioactive waste and irradiated fissile materials
The Import, Export and Transit of Radioactive Waste and Irradiated Fissile Materials Decree applies to the import, export and transit of radioactive waste and irradiated fissile materials. This means that a transfer licence from the ANVS must be applied for. Would you like to receive an application form for a transfer licence? Please send a request by email to postbus.transportinfo@anvs.nl . During import and transit, the ANVS must obtain permission from the country of origin. That country then issues the transfer licence.
Notification or licence?
The table below indicates when a notification obligation or a licence obligation applies.
| Notification | Licence | |
|---|---|---|
| import, transport, export and transit of fissile materials | X1,2,3 | |
| import, export and transit of medicines to which radioactive materials have been added | X4,6 | |
| transport of medicines to which radioactive materials have been added originating from a Dutch sender and intended for a Dutch recipient | X | |
| import, transport, export and transit of high active sources (HASS) | X | |
| import, export and transit of consumer products to which radioactive materials have been added | X1,6 | |
| transport of consumer products to which radioactive materials have been added originating from a Dutch sender and intended for a Dutch recipient | X1,5 | |
| import, transport, export and transit of other radioactive materials | X1,7 | |
| import, export and transit of radioactive waste and irradiated fissile materials | X |
1 No licence obligation or notification obligation if the activity and/or activity concentration of the radionuclides in the radioactive material concerned is lower than the exemption limits as stated in table 2.2.7.2.2.1 of Appendix 1 to the Regulation on the transport of dangerous substances by land.
2The transport of depleted uranium used as shielding material in transport packaging is subject to the notification obligation.
3The transport of fissile materials across the Western Scheldt to and from Antwerp Port (Belgiëvaarders) is subject to notification under Article 13 of the Decree on the transport of fissile materials, ores and radioactive materials (Bvser), if an authorization for the transport has been issued by the competent Belgian authorities.
4The transport of medical isotopes that are introduced into patients as closed radioactive sources (for example I-125 seeds) are not regarded as medicines, but as medical devices and fall under the MDR (Medical Device Regulation). A notification is, therefore, required for the transport of these radioactive materials.
5The transport of consumer products below the number of pieces stated in the ANVS regulation on basic safety standards for radiation protection is exempted from the requirements of the Bvser in accordance with Article 1a, part d, of the Bvser in conjunction with appendix 2 of the ANVS regulation on basic safety standards for radiation protection 2018. With other words: no licence or notification is required for the transport of these quantities of approved consumer products. Please note: the modal transport regulations (e.g. the ADR) do apply.
6Pursuant to Article 27, sixth paragraph, of the Bvser, the notification obligation as referred to in Article 4c, first paragraph, of the Bvser does not apply to transport on Dutch territory, if it follows the import into, or is prior to the export out of, Dutch territory.
7The transport of natural sources (NORM), for example mineral sands, is only subject to notification if their activity concentration is higher than ten times the values stated in table 2.2.7.2.2.1 of Appendix 1 to the Transport of hazardous substances by land (ADR). Please note: the transport of NORM material, other than minerals, with a weight percentage of 0.1 or higher for uranium and 3.0 or higher for thorium, falls under fissile materials and is, therefore, subject to a licence obligation.
Euratom declaration
Regulation 1493/93 applies to the transfer of sealed radioactive sources between EU Member States. This means that the transport must be accompanied by a declaration stating that the competent authority of the receiving EU Member State has approved the transfer. See further notification of transport.
Legislation and regulations for the transport of fissile materials, ores and radioactive materials
Click here for an overview of all laws and regulations for the transport of fissile materials, ores and radioactive materials.