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ADDRESS
ATOMIC ENERGY REGULATORY AUTHORITY (AERA)
2nd Floor, Chief M’mbelwa House,
Robert Mugabe Crescent, City Center
Private Bag 368
Lilongwe 3, Malawi
CONTACT DETAILS
Tel: +265 1 774 691
Tel: +265 1 774 694
Email: Info@aera.org.mw
Website: www.aera.org.mw
Facebook/AERA
An authorisation is the granting of written permission through a formal process by AERA for a person or institution to operate a facility or to conduct specified activities or practices involving radiation sources, radioactive or nuclear material. Section 23 of the Atomic Energy Act No. 16 of 2011 prohibits anyone from engaging in any activity or practice with radiation sources, radioactive or nuclear material unless specifically authorised by AERA.
Activities and Practices that require authorisation by AERA
- Possession and use of radiation sources, radioactive or nuclear material including in industrial, medical, or research facilities
- Import or export of radiation sources, radioactive or nuclear material
- Transport of radiation sources, radioactive or nuclear material
- Siting, construction, commissioning, operation of radiation facilities
- Manufacturing and production of radiation sources, radioactive or nuclear material
- Mining and milling of uranium or thorium radioactive minerals and rare earths
- Activities related to radioactive waste management and disposal
- Decommissioning of nuclear or radiation facilities including mines
Types of Authorisation issued by AERA
The types of authorisation issued by AERA are in the form of licensing (issuing a licence or permit) or registration of a facility, activity or practice with appropriate certification (issuing of a certificate).
A. Licensing is a form of authorisation for facilities, activities and practices that present considerable radiological risk with potentially severe adverse effects on people, property and the environment therefore requiring strict conditions of compliance for prevention of such occurrences.
B. Registration is a form of authorisation for facilities, activities and practices of low or moderate radiological risks and only require implementation of prudent management measures for controlling the associated risks.
Picture 1.1 AERA Team and other clients
The determination of the type of authorisation to be issued is done on a case-by-case basis by AERA based on the nature of the facility, activity or practice and the nature or energy level of the related nuclear or radioactive material or radiation generating equipment. The relevant level of authorisation is granted after conducting a pre-authorisation inspection and a review of the safety assessment submitted for the particular facility, material, equipment, activity or practice with applicable conditions or limitations issued as appropriate.
AERA may also grant exemptions when a facility, activity or practice falls outside the scope of regulatory control and does not require authorisation.
Apply for Authorisation
How to apply for an authorisation from AERA
Any person operating or intending to operate a facility, conducting or intending to conduct an activity or practice involving nuclear or radioactive material or radiation generation equipment is required to notify AERA to declare the nature of the facility, activity or practice. AERA will then provide relevant guidance on the applicable regulatory requirements and the process for application for the required authorisation.
The Executive Director,
Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority,
2nd Floor, Chief M’mbelwa House, City Centre,
Private Bag 368,
LILONGWE 3.
Tel: +265 1 775 555
E-mail: info@aera.org.mw
Any person or institution wishing to apply for an authorisation must complete a prescribed application form as provided by AERA and provide relevant supporting documentation as necessary including a Safety Assessment Report and an Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan for the related facility, activity or practice and pay the applicable fees.
The notification or application for authorisation must be sent to the bolow address and any further enquiries may also be sent to the same address or a visit in person.
Picture 1.1 AERA member on Thermo 4500 Machine
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