Authorized Service Providers

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Authorized Service Providers

Overview

Trusted Partners in Radiation Safety

Authorized Service Providers are individuals or organizations that have been formally assessed and authorized by the Authority to perform specialized radiation-related services. Authorization demonstrates compliance with regulatory requirements, confirms technical competence to support safe radiation practices and ensures conformance with international standards

Through a rigorous authorization process, the Authority ensures that service providers maintain appropriate qualifications, quality management systems, safety procedures, and operational capabilities. Authorized providers play a vital role in supporting regulatory compliance, radiation protection, and the safe use of radiation technologies across various sectors

Types of Service Providers

Who is an Authorized Service Provider

1

Radiation Safety and Security Training Providers

Radiation safety begins with knowledge and competence. Authorized training providers deliver specialized courses that equip personnel with the skills required to safely handle radiation sources, implement security measures, comply with regulations, and respond effectively to emergencies. Training helps build a strong safety culture and supports regulatory compliance across all sectors using radiation technologies

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Suppliers of Radiation Producing Equipment

Authorized equipment suppliers play a critical role in ensuring that radiation producing equipment introduced into Malawi meets regulatory requirements, safety specifications, performance requirements and is certified. These providers supply equipment for medical, industrial, research, and security applications while supporting compliance with national standards for radiation protection and quality assurance

3

Radiation Equipment Maintenance and Repair Service Providers

Regular maintenance is essential for safe and reliable equipment operation. Authorized maintenance and repair service providers perform inspections, servicing, troubleshooting, and repairs of radiation producing equipment to ensure continued reliable performance, regulatory compliance, and protection of workers, patients, and the public from harmful radiation exposures

4

Calibration Service Providers

Accurate radiation measurements are fundamental to radiation protection. Authorized calibration service providers verify and calibrate radiation producing equipment, monitoring instruments and other related equipment to ensure reliable functionality, performance and measurement accuracy. Calibration services support compliance, quality assurance, and confidence in processes involving radiation producing equipment and related monitoring programmes

5

Dosimetry Service Providers

Dosimetry services help monitor and assess occupational radiation exposure. Authorized providers supply, process, and evaluate personal dosimeters used by radiation workers. These services enable organizations to demonstrate compliance with dose limits, protect workers' health, and maintain accurate exposure records required by regulatory authorities

6

Radioactive Material Transportation Service Providers

The safe and secure transport of radioactive materials requires specialized expertise and strict regulatory controls. Authorized transportation service providers ensure that radioactive materials are packaged, labelled, handled, and transported in accordance with national regulations and international transport standards, with appropriate physical protection measures implemented to ensure protection of people, property, and the environment throughout the transport activities

Categories

Categories of Service Providers

01

Radiation Safety Training Providers

Training providers are Institutions authorized to deliver approved radiation protection and safety training and radioactive sources security programmes for workers and radiation facilities

02

Radiological Equipment Suppliers

Radiation equipment suppliers are qualified organizations authorized to supply radiation generating equipment for industrial and medical facilities and the associated safety systems

03

Equipment Maintenance and Repair

Maintenance service providers are qualified institutions authorized to install, maintain, service, and repair radiation producing equipment and associated safety systems

04

Calibration Service Providers

Calibration service providers are organizations authorized to calibrate radiation monitoring instruments, radiation generating equipment, dosimetry systems, and radiation measurement equipment to ensure accurate and reliable performance

05

Occupational Dose Monitoring

Dosimetry service providers are organizations authorized to provide personal occupational radiation exposure monitoring services and occupational radiation dose assessment for exposed workers in radiation facilities

06

Radioactive Material Transporters

Transportation service providers are organizations authorized to provide transportation services for radioactive materials, radioactive sources, radioactive waste and nuclear material

Certifications

Certifications for Authorized Service Providers

01

Requirements

Eligibility Requirements for Authorization

01

Personnel qualifications

AERA requires service providers to demonstrate that personnel possess the necessary qualifications, competence, training, certification and experience to safely perform authorized services in accordance with regulatory requirements

02

Technical Capacity

Service providers are required to demonstrate the technical expertise, knowledge, and operational capacity necessary to provide the proposed services. AERA assesses whether the provider can consistently perform activities in compliance with applicable safety, security, and quality requirements

03

Equipment and Resources

AERA requires service providers to demonstrate the availability of appropriate equipment, facilities, instruments, software and other resources needed to safely and consistently deliver authorized services in compliance with regulatory requirements.

04

Operational Procedures

Service providers must establish and document operational procedures for delivering authorized services. AERA reviews these procedures to ensure consistency, regulatory compliance, radiation safety, quality assurance and effective operational management

05

Quality Management Systems

Service providers must implement effective Quality Management Systems to ensure consistent, standards-compliant service delivery. AERA verifies these systems, including document control, audits, corrective actions, record management and performance monitoring

06

Continuous Improvement

Service providers must demonstrate arrangements for ongoing training, professional development and performance evaluation to maintain personnel competence. AERA assesses these measures to ensure staff remain current with evolving technologies, standards and regulatory requirements

Process

How to Become an Authorized Service Provider

1

Application Submission

An applicant completes the prescribed application form provided by the Authority and submits with supporting documentation

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2

Technical Review and Assessment

The Authority evaluates the competency of the applicant including qualifications, procedures, resources, and technical competence

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3

Pre-authorization Inspection

The applicant’s facilities, equipment, and operational arrangements may be inspected and assessed for adequacy

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4

Regulatory Decision and Registration Issuance

The Authority determines whether authorization requirements have been met and successful applicants receive an authorization certificate specifying approved services and attached conditions, or rejects with the reason for refusal to grant the registration

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Compliance Monitoring

Authorized service providers remain subject to monitoring, inspections, compliance audits and reviews throughout the registration period

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Registration Status

The authorization granted to service providers may be modified, suspended or revoked if there is non-compliance or serious breach of regulatory requirements or authorization conditions

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions and Answers

This section provides answers to the common questions the Authority receives regarding authorization, eligibility requirements, compliance obligations for different services provided by authorized service providers

Organizations and individuals seeking authorization to operate as service providers or to engage a service provider are encouraged to review these questions and the provided responses

Contact Us

Who can apply to become an Authorized Service Provider

Any individual or organization with the required qualifications, technical skills and competences, and resources to provide radiation-related services may apply

How long does the authorization process take

Processing times depend on the complexity and completeness of the application and any required assessments. Refer to AERA's Service Charter for the processing times of different authorizations. Submit complete documentation and respond promptly to avoid delays

Does the authorization for a service provider have an expiry date

Yes. Authorizations are issued for a specified period of registration and must be renewed before the indicated expiry date

Can an authorization for a service provider be suspended or revoked

Yes. The Authority may suspend, amend, or revoke authorization where regulatory requirements are not met or where there is a violation of specified authorization conditions

How can I verify whether a service provider is authorized by the Authority

The Authority maintains a database of all authorized service providers. Authorized providers can be verified through the Authority’s official register of authorized service providers

Are authorized providers subject to monitoring and inspections

Yes. Authorized service providers are monitored, periodically inspected and audited to verify continued compliance with regulatory requirements