MUSCAT, JUNE 13
Entities and institutions engaged in radiation-related activities without the required regulatory approvals have been granted a six-month grace period to regularise their status, as part of a new initiative by the Environment Authority aimed at strengthening compliance and enhancing radiation safety standards across Oman.
Ahmed bin Khalfan al Shueili, Head of the Radiation Licensing Section at the Environment Authority, said the initiative is not intended to impose sanctions or initiate legal action against organisations currently operating unlicensed radiation sources. Instead, it offers a window for voluntary compliance, allowing entities to align their operations with national regulatory requirements.
According to Al Shueili, recent inspections and regulatory oversight have identified several radiation-related activities operating without the necessary licences or without fully meeting technical standards set under national regulations.
“The grace period has been introduced to encourage institutions to disclose such activities and submit licensing applications, thereby improving radiation safety, strengthening national licensing databases, and ensuring the safe use of radiation technologies for the protection of people and the environment,” he said.
He explained that radiation practices cover a wide range of activities involving the use, possession, import, export, transport, storage, or operation of radiation sources and nuclear materials. These are present across multiple sectors, including healthcare — where radiation is used in diagnostic imaging, radiotherapy, and nuclear medicine — as well as in industrial applications such as inspection, measurement, and process-control systems.
Radiation-related uses also extend to research, education, and security sectors, in addition to other fields that rely on equipment or materials containing radioactive sources.
The authority emphasised that the grace period applies to all entities carrying out such activities without the required licences or approvals.
After the six-month period, regulatory penalties outlined under applicable legislation will be enforced, Al Shueili confirmed. He said the current phase is intended to encourage voluntary compliance and reduce violations through awareness and cooperation.
“This is a clear opportunity for entities to address outstanding licensing requirements. Our objective is to foster a culture of compliance and ensure corrective action is taken before enforcement begins,” he said.
Organisations possessing radiation-emitting devices, radiation generators, or radioactive materials are required to submit licensing applications through the Environment Authority’s electronic licensing system. Applications will undergo technical and regulatory evaluation to verify compliance with safety standards before approval.
To facilitate compliance, the authority has also introduced dedicated communication channels to assist institutions during the grace period.
Al Shueili noted that the Environment Authority has been systematically identifying and cataloguing radiation practices across sectors through inspections, monitoring programmes, and national databases.
A key objective of the initiative is to encourage entities that have not yet applied for licences — or have incomplete compliance documentation — to regularise their status.
He stressed that radiation licensing is not merely an administrative requirement but a critical safeguard ensuring adherence to internationally recognised safety standards. The process verifies radiation protection measures, staff competency, monitoring systems, emergency preparedness, and safe handling procedures.
Operating without a licence, he warned, limits regulatory oversight and may increase risks to workers, the public, and the environment.
Healthcare institutions using X-ray and other radiation-based equipment are among those covered under the initiative. Facilities operating such equipment without authorisation must obtain the necessary licence, which must be displayed prominently upon issuance. Compliance will continue to be monitored through inspections and audits.
Al Shueili also urged all relevant institutions to make full use of the grace period rather than delay corrective action until enforcement begins.
He reaffirmed that the initiative is designed to support compliance and strengthen radiation safety practices, emphasising that radiation protection is a shared responsibility across all sectors.
“Adherence to regulatory requirements plays a vital role in safeguarding workers, protecting the public, and preserving the environment, while ensuring the responsible and safe use of radiation technologies,” he said.
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