To transport fissionable materials, ores and radioactive materials, it is often necessary to apply to the ANVS for a licence. Alternatively, notification may be required. This is generally done via the ANVS online portal.
Licence or notification requirement
Whether you must apply for a licence or notify the ANVS depends on what you are transporting. Exceptions are also made in certain cases. These are explained below the table.
| Notification or licence | Exceptions | |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer products containing radioactive materials | Licence | Yes |
| Consumer products containing radioactive materials, from a Dutch consignor for delivery to a Dutch consignee | Notification | Yes |
| Medicinal products containing radioactive materials | Licence | Yes |
| Medicinal products containing radioactive materials, from a Dutch consignor for delivery to a Dutch consignee | Notification | No |
| High-activity sealed radioactive sources (HASS) | Licence | No |
| Radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel | Licence | No |
| Fissionable materials | Licence | Yes |
| Other radioactive materials | Notification | Yes |
Important
According to the Fissionable Materials, Ores and Radioactive Substances (Transport) Decree (in Dutch), no licence or notification is required in the following cases:
- Marine vessels transporting radioactive materials through Dutch waters without stopping; a licence or notification remains necessary for vessels with Dutch ports of call, even if the cargo does not leave the vessel
- Aeroplanes with radioactive materials on board that fly through Dutch airspace without stopping
Exceptions and explanations
Consumer products
A licence is required for the import, export or transshipment of consumer products or devices deliberately containing radioactive materials. There are 5 exceptions:
- It is prohibited to export or import food, animal feed, toys, jewellery or cosmetics deliberately containing radioactive materials.
- The activity of the incorporated radionuclide(s) is below the exempt activity limits. These values can be found in the Regulation on the Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (in Dutch). Such transport requires neither a licence nor notification. This is independent of any requirements arising from the Decree on Basic Safety Standards for Radiation Protection (in Dutch).
- If you have a licence for the import, export or transshipment of medicinal products, no notification is required for the subsequent transport through Dutch territory.
- In the event of consumer products transported exclusively between consignors and consignees within the Netherlands, you must submit a notification.
- If you are transporting consumer products in lower quantities than those specified in the ANVS Regulation on Basic Safety Standards for Radiation Protection (in Dutch), no notification is required. However, the Regulation on the Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (in Dutch) remains applicable.
Medicinal products
A licence is required for the import, export or transshipment of medicinal products containing radioactive materials. There are 3 exceptions:
- The transport involves medical isotopes intended for insertion in patients as sealed radioactive sources; iodine-125 seeds for example. In that case, notification is sufficient. The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport considers such medical isotopes medical devices. This means they fall under the Medical Device Regulation (MDR).
- If you have a licence for the import, export or transshipment of medicinal products, no notification is required for the subsequent transport through Dutch territory.
- In the event of medicinal products transported exclusively between consignors and consignees within the Netherlands, you must submit a notification.
High-activity sealed sources
A licence is required for the import, export or transshipment of high-activity sealed sources (HASS). A sealed source is classified as HASS if the activity of the radionuclide exceeds the activity limit given in Annex 4 of the Decree on Basic Safety Standards for Radiation Protection (in Dutch).
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has issued a Code of Conduct on HASS safety and security. The Netherlands adheres to this Code of Conduct. This means the destination Member State needs to be informed in advance of any Class 1 or 2 HASS transport (as referred to in the IAEA document Dangerous Quantities of Radioactive Material). For more information, please send an email to postbus.transportinfo@anvs.nl.
Radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel
Do you want to import, export or transship radioactive waste or spent nuclear fuel? In that case, you will also need a transfer licence in addition to the transport licence or notification. To request an application form, send an email to postbus.transportaanvraag@anvs.nl. For imports and exports, we must ask the relevant countries’ authorities for permission.
Fissionable materials
A licence is required for the transport, import, export or transshipment of fissionable materials. Fissionable materials are any materials that contain at least 0.1% of uranium or plutonium or 3.0% of thorium. The composition of the isotopes is not relevant. There are 3 exceptions:
- The activity or quantity of the radionuclides in the radioactive material is below the exempt activity limits. In that case, neither a licence nor notification is required. These values can be found in the Regulation on the Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (in Dutch).
- You are transporting depleted uranium that is being used as shielding material in a transport container. You must submit a notification.
- You are transporting fissionable materials to or from the Port of Antwerp by way of the Western Scheldt ('Belgium sailor'). You must submit a notification. For more information, see the Belgium sailors page.
Security plan requirement for Category I, II or III fissionable materials
Transport of Category I, II or III fissionable materials (as referred to in the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (in Dutch)) will require additional security measures. Are you applying for a licence for fissionable materials in one of these categories? In that case, you will also need a transport security plan that has been approved by the ANVS.
Other radioactive materials
For the import, export or transshipment of other radioactive materials, you must submit a notification. There are 3 exceptions:
- The activity of the incorporated radionuclide(s) is below the exempt activity limits. These values can be found in the Regulation on the Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (in Dutch). In that case, no notification is required.
- You are transporting naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) such as mineral sands. No notification is required unless the activity is at least ten times in excess of the values in the Regulation on the Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (in Dutch).
- Transport of NORM materials that were not mined and contain at least 0.1% of uranium or at least 3% of thorium is subject to the rules for fissionable materials. That means you will need a licence.
Euratom declaration for transport of sealed radioactive sources within the European Union
Besides a licence or notification, if you are importing or exporting sealed radioactive sources between EU Member States, you will also require a declaration under Council Regulation (Euratom) 1493/93. Learn more about the Euratom 1493/93 declaration.
Exempt packaging
Transporting exempt packaging does not mean you are also exempt from licence or notification requirements. Whether a licence or notification is required depends on the content. In case of empty packaging, the residual activity is definitive.
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.