The Radioactive Substances (Basic Safety Standards) (Scotland) Regulations 2000

Amendment of the Radioactive Substances Act 1993

2.—(1) In section 15(1) (further exemptions from sections 13 and 14) of the Radioactive Substances Act 1993(1) after the words “clocks or watches” (where those words first appear) there shall be inserted the following:–

“(a)where the total quantity taken together of each of the radionuclides listed in column 1 of Table A below present in the clocks and watches on any premises does not exceed the amount set out in column 2–

TABLE A

Radioactive materialRelevant value
Tritium109 becquerels
Promethium 147107 becquerels
Radium 226104 becquerels

or

(b)where

(i)the total quantity of the radionuclides listed in column 2 of Table B below present in each such clock or watch of the type listed in column 1 of that table does not exceed the amount set out in column 3–

TABLE B

Type of clock or watchRadioactive materialRelevant value (becquerels)

(i)Luminised time measurement instruments(2)-

(a)worn or carried on the person

Tritium

Promethium 147

2.8 × 108

5.5 × 106

(b)not worn or carried on the person

Tritium

Promethium 147

3.7 × 108

7.4 × 106

(ii)Special luminised time measurement instruments(3)

Tritium

Promethium 147

9.3 × 108

1.9 × 107

(iii)Watches containing gaseous tritium light sources(4)

Tritium7.4 × 109

(iv)Radium luminised timepieces(5)-

(a)wristwatches

Radium 2263.7 × 103

(b)alarm clocks

Radium 2265.5 × 103

(c)special time measurement instruments

Radium 2265.6 × 104

  • and

(ii)no more than five items falling within Table B which constitute radioactive waste are present on any premises”.

(2)

ISO 3157: 1991(E), “Radioluminescence for time measurement instruments – Specifications”.

(3)

ISO 3157: 1991(E), “Radioluminescence for time measurement instruments – Specifications”.

(4)

NEA, “Radiation Protection Standards for Gaseous Tritium Light Devices” (1973).

(5)

IAEA, “Radiation Protection Standards for Radioluminous Timepieces” (1967).