Code of Practice for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material: ORS C6

The Code of Practice for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material: ORS C6 2019 (ORS C6 2019) is currently in force. The code of practice was issued on 19 April 2019 under section 86 of the Radiation Safety Act 2016 (the Act).

In 2023, ORS C6 2019 was reviewed under section 90 of the Act. In 2024, following the findings of the review, public consultation on amendments to the code of practice were proposed under section 89 of the Act. The process to amend the code of practice is yet to be completed and further information can be found at Proposed revised Code of Practice for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material: ORS C6.

Scope of ORS C6 2019

ORS C6 2019 specifies the technical requirements that a person must comply with in order to comply with the fundamental requirements set out in section 12 of the Act.

The code of practice applies to any person who deals with a radiation source that is within the scope of the code of practice. The scope of ORS C6 2019 is set out in the code of practice. To ‘deal with’ radioactive material that is within the scope of ORS C6 2019 means to transport radioactive material, including to:

• design, manufacture, maintain or repair packaging for the transport of radioactive material
• prepare radioactive material for transport
• package, label, and consign radioactive material for transport
• load, carry, store in-transit, and unload, radioactive material
• receive (receipt and log) radioactive material or packages containing radioactive material once transport is complete.

ORS C6 2019 does not apply to the security of radioactive material while it is in transport. For security in transport, see ORS C5 2021. 

ORS C6 2019 also does not apply to:

• radioactive material that is an integral part of the means of transport
• radioactive material moved within an establishment that is subject to appropriate safety regulations in force in the establishment and where the movement does not involve public roads or railways
• radioactive material implanted or incorporated into a person or live animal for diagnosis or treatment
• transport of a person for medical treatment who has been subject to an intake of radioactive material or to contamination
• radioactive material in consumer products that have received regulatory approval, following their sale to the end user
• naturally occuring radioactive material and ores containing naturally occurring radionuclides, which may have been processed, provided the activity concentration of the material does not exceed values set out in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Transport Regulations
• non-radioactive solid objects with radioactive substances present on any surface in quantities not in excess of the levels defined in the IAEA Transport Regulations.