Register radiation sources

What is a controlled radiation source?

Under Section 30(2) of the Radiation Safety Act 2016 (the Act), a controlled radiation source includes any:

• irradiating apparatus
• sealed radioactive material
• nuclear material (sealed or unsealed).

These sources must be registered before you take possession of them. You must notify the Office of Radiation Safety of any changes to their location, ownership, status, disposal, or if they are removed from New Zealand.

Who must register

Under Section 31 of the Act, if you manage or control a controlled radiation source, you must register it before dealing with that source.

If you don’t have the full details of a radiation source at the time of registration – for example, if the serial number is only available after shipping – register the source with the information you do have. You can update the registration with the missing details once they become available.

Exempt XRF/XRD apparatus

• An X-ray fluorescence (XRF) or X-ray diffraction (XRD) apparatus may be exempt from licensing requirements under the Radiation Safety Regulations 2016. However, it still needs to be registered by the person or company who possesses it.
• Any changes in location, possession, disposal or removal from New Zealand of these exempt sources require that a ‘change notification form’ is completed and sent to the Office of Radiation Safety.

How to register a source

To register a radiation source, complete the relevant registration form below and email it to: [email protected].

There is no fee to register radiation sources.

Not sure if the source you've purchased is already registered?

Fill out one of the forms above. In your email, include a note letting us know you're unsure about its registration status.

How to notify changes to a registered source

Any changes to the location, status, possession, disposal or removal of sources must be reported to the Office of Radiation Safety.

Changes include the following.

• Sale or purchase of a radiation source.
• Transfer of a radiation source between locations that are owned by the same person or company.
• Movement of a radiation source to a location owned by another person or company (eg, loan or hire).
• Movement of a radiation source for repair or servicing.
• Disposal of irradiating apparatus, or disposal of radioactive material (effectively a de-registration).
• Change of status – for example, ‘in use’ to ‘in storage’.
• Export of irradiating apparatus.
• Export of radioactive material – note, there are additional requirements. Refer to Import or export radioactive material page for information about applying for an import or export consent.

Download the relevant form below, complete and email it to: [email protected].

There is no fee to notify changes to radiation sources.