Nuclear sites RSR: environmental permits

This guidance is for operators of nuclear sites who are licensees under the Nuclear Installations Act 1965. It is also for operators who are tenants on nuclear sites.

There is separate guidance for users of radioactive substances that are not located on nuclear licensed sites – known as the non-nuclear sector.

If you know which permit you need and just want to find a specific application form or piece of technical guidance we have also published these separately.

Radioactive substances include radioactive material and radioactive waste. The Environment Agency regulates radioactive substances activities to make sure they meet high standards of environmental protection. They do this under the Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR) (2016).

If you are going to carry out a radioactive substances activity you may need to apply to the Environment Agency for a permit. You must do this before you start the activity.

If you hold a licence under the Nuclear Installations Act 1965 you may need a permit if you:

If you are a tenant on a nuclear licensed site you may need a permit if you:

The Environment Agency does not regulate the accumulation of radioactive waste on nuclear sites by either licensees or tenants, the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) does this.

Mobile radioactive apparatus and sealed sources

Mobile radioactive apparatus and radioactive material can include sealed sources. You will need separate permits for sealed sources and unsealed sources.

A sealed source is a radioactive source where the radioactive material is permanently sealed in a capsule, or is in a solid form, and where radioactive substances cannot escape under normal conditions of use. The legal definition of a sealed source is given in the Basic Safety Standards Directive 2013.