The primary purpose of the Act is to ensure legis­lative control over radioactive waste. Since radioac­tive wastes arise from radioactive material, the Act extends to radioactive substances as well as waste. Such control ensures that radioactive wastes are not produced unnecessarily. Associated radiological safety such as the health protection of workers exposed to radioactive material and wastes or the transport of radioactive material and wastes is covered by other legislation.

2.5.1 Nature of controls

The Act requires all premises where radioactive ma­terials are used, to be registered unless an Exemption Order made under the Act applies. There is a special registration procedure where mobile radioactive appa­ratus such as industrial radiography equipment is moved from premises to premises.

In a similar manner to registration, no radioactive waste may be accumulated on any premises or dis­posed on or from any premises except in accordance with an authorisation issued under the Act unless an Exemption Order applies.

Radioactive material and radioactive waste are de­fined in the Act which includes exemptions or orders made under it where the amount of radioactive material is too small to justify registration or authorisation.

Nuclear power stations are on sites licensed under the Nuclear Installations Act 1965 (as amended) and exemption is provided under the Act from registration for the keeping and use of radioactive materials at such sites. This exemption is in recognition of the legisla­tion relating to control and surveillance of operations at nuclear licensed sites. However the disposal of ra­dioactive wastes at these sites is subject to the Act,