Authorization
Authorization to operate a facility or to conduct an activity may be granted by the regulatory body to an operating organization or to a person. Authorization includes approval to engage in an activity, written permission, registration, or licensing. The NRPA as a Regulatory Authority has the legal mandate to authorize all activities involving radioactive and nuclear material with the ultimate purpose of safety and regulatory control, provided for in Article 17 (3) of the Atomic Energy and Radiation Protection Act.
The authorization process begins from Review and Assessment functional unit feeding information to the Authorization personnel on processed files. After the discussions of the Review and Assessment Committee, the files that may contain review comments on Radiation Management Plan (RMP), Annual Reports, and recommendation for the next course of action are handed over to Authorization personnel who make the final recommendation on the submission to the Director. These files.
The process and procedures are followed, which are essential in guiding a cohesive implementation of this major component of the regulatory system, allowing prompt delivery of feedback to the clients.
Enforcement
Enforcement is the act of compelling observance of or compliance with a law, rule, or obligation. In the case of the Authority, it means compliance with the Atomic Energy and Radiation Protection Act, Act no 5 of 2005 and its Regulations. The Act mentions measures that could be taken to ensure compliance.
Enforcement actions are the means by which the regulatory body can respond to non-compliance with the law or with specified conditions of the authorization certificate and should be commensurate with the possible consequences. Actions may range from written directives requiring corrective action within a specified time-frame to confiscation of a radiation source or, even to prosecution by taking the responsible person to Court.
The process and procedures are followed, from identification of non-compliances to the resolution of a preceding enforcement action. The need to initiate an enforcement action against an operator should be motivated with an evidence based case. Execution of the enforcement process proceeds until a final closure report is compiled. A Non-Compliance Decision Matrix is used in compliance and enforcement activities related to regulatory requirements administered by the Authority to ensure consistency and fairness in the assessment and resolution of non-compliance.
