Vietnam: Requirements before transport of radioactive material

Specifically, according to Article 19 of Circular No. 23/2012/TT-BKHCN of the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam, requirements before transport of radioactive material include:

- To ensure that the used packages must meet relevant requirements stipulated in this Circular.

- For packages that have been approved and granted certificate by competent agencies, must meet requirements stipulated in the certificate. 

- For radioactive material of special form and radioactive material with low dispersion, that have been approved by competent agencies, must meet requirements stipulated in the certificate.

- For packages of B(U), B(M) and C types, they must be kept in stable status of temperature and pressure before carrying out transport, except case these requirements have been exempted by permission of agencies competent to approve such design.

- Packages of B(U), B(M) and C types and packages containing fissile material must be checked before transport in order to ensure no radioactive leakage.

Moreover, transport for other goods is prescribed as follows:

- Packages are not permitted to contain other items except items that are necessary for use of radioactive material and these items must be ensured to not affect the safety of packages.

- If using containers that have been used to transport radioactive material for temporary preservation or transport of other goods, such containers must be decontaminated to degree lower than 0.4 (Bq/cm2) for the beta and gamma emitter and low toxicity alpha emitter, or 0.04 (Bq/cm2) for all other alpha emitters.

- During transport, packages must be separated with food, pharmaceutical products and other dangerous goods.

View more details at Circular No. 23/2012/TT-BKHCN of the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam, effective from January 21, 2013.

Le Vy

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