Practical challenges in implementing

the BSS requirements

(Regulatory Control of NORM):

MALAYSIA
Dr. TENG IYU LIN
LICENSING DIVISION
Atomic Energy Licensing Board
Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI)
MALAYSIA

Ensuring Safety, Security & Safeguarding Peaceful Nuclear Activities

CONTENT

AELB, ACT & REGULATIONS

NORM IN MALAYSIA
ACT 304
LICENSING REGULATIONS, 1986
BASIC SAFETY RADIATION PROTECTION, 2010
RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT, 2011
EXEMPTION ORDER LOW LEVEL RADIOACTIVE
MATERIAL & SMALL AMANG FACTORY
CODE OF PRACTICE - OIL & GAS
REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS BASED ON GSR PART 3
CHALLENGES
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AELB, ACT & REGULATIONS

Atomic Energy
Licensing Act 1984
(Act 304)

Regulatory Body:

To provide for the

regulation and
control of atomic
energy;
For the
establishment of
standards on liability
for nuclear damage;
and
For matters
connected therewith
or related thereto.

Atomic Energy
Licensing Board
(AELB) was establish
under Section 3 of the
Act. 304
Ensuring safety,
security and
safeguarding peaceful
Nuclear Activities

Minister of Science,
Technology & Innovation

Ministry of Science,
Technology & Innovation
(General Secretary)

The Board
(5 Members)
Executive
Secretary

Standing
Safety
Committee

Substanding
Safety
Committee

Director General
AELB Department

Nuclear
Installation
Division

Policy, Code &

Standard
Division

Technical
Support Division

Licensing
Division

Administrative
Services
Division

Enforcement
Division

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Hierarchy of Legal System

Atomic Energy Licensing Act (1984 )
(ACT 304)

Regulations

Act: provides the basic law

concerning the development and
utilization of atomic energy and
safety regulations.

Regulations: provides more detailed

provisions entrusted by the Act.
Section 68 Act 304

Orders and Conditions

of License
Guidelines, Codes
and Standards
4

Provides additional requirement which

not stated in the regulations or special
matters related to provisions entrusted
by the Act
Orders: Sec 69 Act 304
Licence conditions: Section 17 Act 304
Provides guides, codes and standards
to comply with and achieve goal
impose in regulations
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ATOMIC ENERGY LICENSING ACT 1984

(ACT 304)
Scope of the Act 304
To control any :
radioactive materials,
nuclear materials,
prescribed substances, or
irradiating apparatus in
medical and non-medical
application.

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ATOMIC ENERGY ACTIVITIES IN MALAYSIA

a. NON MEDICAL ACTIVITIES
Gamma sterilization
Non Destructive Testing
Gauging
Oil Logging
NORM/ TENORM
Research
Archeology
Others
b. MEDICAL ACTIVITIES
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NORM IN MALAYSIA
NORM vs TENORM:
a) Milling of minerals containing naturally occurring radionuclides:
RAW MATERIAL PROCESS PRODUCT + BY PRODUCT
(NORM)
(TENORM)
b) Tin mining/ smelting activities
TIN MINING: TIN CONCENTRATE + TIN TAILING
TIN SMELTING: TIN INGOT + TIN SLAG

c) Oil and gas industries

OIL SCALE AND SLUDGE
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NORM RESIDUES/ WASTES

GYPSUM
IRON OXIDE

OIL SLUDGE/
SCALE

TIN TAILIN
(AMANG)
TIN SLAG

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RADIATION PROTECTION
REGULATIONS (LICENSING) 1986

Explain the procedure and information needed to obtain,

renew and amend the license from the Board.

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REG 3:CLASSIFICATION OF LICENCE

CLASS A
RADIOACTIVE
MATERIAL

ACTIVITY
-Manufacture
-Trade in
-Produce
-Process
-Purchase
-Own
-Possess
-Transfer
-Handle
-Sell
-Store
-Import
-Export

CLASS B

CLASS C

NUCLEAR
MATERIAL

IRRADIATING
APPARATUS

ACTIVITY

ACTIVITY

-Same as
Class A

-Purchase
-Sell
-Trade in
-Transfer
-Import
-Export
-Possess
-Own
-Use
-Store
-Handle

CLASS D
TRANSPORTATION

ACTIVITY
-Transport

CLASS E

CLASS F

CLASS G

IMPORT &
EXPORT

NUCLEAR
INSTALLATION

DISPOSAL/STORAGE
RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL
BEFORE DISPOSE

ACTIVITY
-Import
-Export

ACTIVITY
-Same as
Class A

CLASS H
OTHERS

ACTIVITY

ACTIVITY

-Dispose
-Store

-Maintenance
-Leak test

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ATOMIC ENERGY LICENSING (BASIC SAFETY

RADIATION PROTECTION) 2010
Introduction
Atomic Energy Licensing (Basic Safety Radiation Protection)
Regulations 2010 [P.U.(A) 46] replaced the
[Radiation Protection (Basic Safety Standards) Regulations, 1988]

Come into operation on 15th February 2010; and

Describe the principles of radiation protection and safety such as,

system of dose limitation (justification, optimization), medical
exposure, operational radiation protection and role of licensee and
radiation worker.

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ATOMIC ENERGY LICENSING

(RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT) REGULATIONS,
2011
1. COMMENCEMENT:
REGULATIONS COME INTO OPERATION ON 16 AUGUST 2011
2. APPLICATION:
SHALL APPLY TO ALL ASPECTS OF RADIOACTIVE WASTE AND WASTE
MANAGEMENT ARISING FROM MEDICAL, INDUSTRY, RESEARCH &
ANY OTHER APPLICATION WHICH MAY BE SPECIFIED BY THE BOARD.
3. INTERPRETATION:

CLEARANCE LEVEL THE VALUES ESTABLISHED BY THE BOARD

AND EXPRESSED IN TERMS OF ACTIVITY CONCENTRATION OR
TOTAL ACTIVITY, AT OR BELOW WHICH THE SOURCE OF RADIATION
MAY BE RELEASED FROM CONTROL (2nd SCHEDULE)
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eg. SECOND SCHEDULE

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EXEMPTION
1.

ATOMIC ENERGY LICENSING (EXEMPTION) (LOW LEVEL

RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL) 2002 - CALIBRATION SOURCE,
CHECK SOURCE, STANDARD SOURCE, REFERENCE SOURCE

2.

ATOMIC ENERGY LICENSING

AMANG FACTORY) 1994.

(EXEMPTION)

(SMALL

Small Amang Factory means any factory processing amang

which may cause exposure of ionizing radiation to the whole
body of a worker not exceeding 50 milisieverts (mSv) per
annum.
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CODE OF PRACTICE ON RADIATION PROTECTION

RELATING TO TECHNICALLY ENHANCED NATURALLY
OCCURRING RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL (TENORM) IN OIL
AND GAS FACILITIES
Parameter

Control Limit

External dose rate

0.5 uSv/h

Contaminated materials:
External dose rate at 5 cm from
surface

0.5 uSv/h

Waste categorization based on TAC:

Total Activity Concentration (TAC)

3.0 Bq/g (inclusive

b/ground)

Waste disposal:
- Dose to critical group

0.3 mSv/y

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CODE OF PRACTICE
ON RADIATION
PROTECTION
RELATING TO
TECHNICALLY
ENHANCED
NATURALLY
OCCURRING
RADIOACTIVE
MATERIAL
(TENORM) IN OIL
AND GAS FACILITIES

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REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS
IAEA: GSR PART 3
1. INTRODUCTION

2. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PRORECTION AND

SAFETY
3. PLANNED ESPOSURE SITUATIONS
4. EMERGENCY EXPOSURE SITUATIONS
5. EXISTING EXPOSURE SITUATIONS
AELB: Atomic Energy Licensing (Basic Safety Radiation
Protection) Regulations 2010 [P.U.(A) 46]
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1. INTRODUCTION
Radiation Protection and Safety of Radiation Sources:
International Basic Safety Standards (GSR Part 3) establish
requirements for the protection of people and the
environment from harmful effects of ionizing radiation and
for the safety of radiation sources which apply to the 3
categories of exposure:
a. Occupational exposure
b. Public exposure; and
c. Medical exposure

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2. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PROTECTION AND

SAFETY
Application of all principles of radiation protection for all exposure
situations
Establish and maintain an appropriate and effective legal and
regulatory framework for protection and safety
Training and recognition of competence workers in protection and
safety
Graded approach to the implementation of the system of protection
and safety
Protection and safety elements of the management system Safety
culture/ human factors

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REGULATORY CONTROL
ACT 304

GSR Part 3

Dose limits :
8(1) Workers 20 mSv/y
9(1) Public 1 mSv/y

Dose limits :
Workers 20 mSv/y
Public 1 mSv/y

Competence workers RPO/

RPA

Training and recognition of

competence workers in
protection and safety

Training Specified in
Radiation Protection Program

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REGULATORY CONTROL
Act 304

GSR Part 3

Authorization:
Graded approach to the
Licensing (Class A-milling; Class G
implementation of the
store/ dispose of radioactive wastes;
system of protection and
Class H- D&D, consultation)
safety
Enforcement: inspection, environmental
monitoring & sampling etc
Registration: SEM, Lightning Arrester
Release from Regulatory Control:
RADIOACTIVE WASTE (NORM): U/Th < 1
Bq/g
OIL SLUDGE: TAC < 3.0 Bq/g
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http://www.aelb.gov.my

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http://www.aelb.gov.my

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ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING

ERMS
Soil

In-Situ

Monitoring
methods

Air

Water

TLD
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3. PLANNED EXPOSURE SITUATIONS

SCOPE:
The mining and processing of raw materials that involve
exposure due to radioactive material;
Eg: rare earth extraction plants
Exposure due to natural sources (in general considered an
existing exposure situation), the relevant requirements for
planned exposure situations apply to: Exposure due to material
where the activity concentration in the material of any
radionuclide in the uranium or thorium decay chains is greater
than 1 Bq/g or the activity concentration of K-40 is greater than
10 Bq/g.
Eg: ex-mining activities (Amang plants)
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3. PLANNED EXPOSURE SITUATIONS

GRADED APPROACH
- Licensing: Processing of minerals containing NORM
- Exemption & Registration: Amang plant
NOTIFICATION AND AUTHORIZATION
- Section 12(1)(b) Act 304
- Radiation Protection (Licensing) Regulations 1986
Class A (milling) licence
Licence conditions (import/ export/store/process etc)
EXEMPTION AND CLEARANCE
- eg. Small Amang Plant Exemption Order 1994
- Clearance levels Schedule 2 (Waste Regulations, 2011)
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EXPOSURE DUE TO NATURAL SOURCES IS IN GENERAL

CONSIDERED AN EXISTING EXPOSURE SITUATION AND IS
SUBJECT TO THE REQUIREMENTS STATED IN SECTION 5.
TABLE 1-3 LEVEL FOR CLEARANCE OF MATERIAL:
ACTIVITY CONCENTRATIONS OF RADIONUCLIDES OF
NAUTRAL ORIGIN
Radionuclide
K-40

Activity Concentration
(Bq/g)
10

Each radionuclides in the

uranium and thorium decay
chains

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3. AUTHORIZATION: REQUIREMENTS
DOSE LIMITS
- Workers: 20 mSv/yr
- Public; 1 mSv/yr
SAFETY ASSESSMENT
- Shall be conducted at different stages including the stages of siting, design,
manufacture, construction, assembly, commissioning, operation, maintenance
and decommissioning.
MONITORING FOR VERIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE
- Review and approve monitoring & measurements program
- Emergency Preparedness and Response
- Maintain inventory records
- Occupational exposure compliance with dose limits
- Monitoring of the workplace
- Workers health surveillance
- Training
- Classifications of working areas
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4. EMERGENCY EXPOSURE SITUATIONS

Emergency management system is established and
maintained for the purposes of emergency response to
protect human life, health and the environment in the event
of a nuclear or radiation emergency.
Technical Guide:
- LEM/TEK/66: for the preparation of Emergency Plan and
Drill
- Training & Drill once/year (internal)

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National Radiological
Emergency Response Drill

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5. EXISTING EXPOSURE SITUATIONS

Existing exposure situations apply to:
i. Contamination of areas by residual radioactive material past
activities that never subject to regulatory control, eg. Tin mining
ii. Exposure due to natural sources, in which the activity
concentration of no radionuclide in either the uranium or thorium
decay chains exceeds 1 Bq/g or the activity concentration of K-40
does not exceed 10 Bq/g
The regulatory body shall ensure:
Remediation of areas with residual radioactive materials
- Landfilling/ reclamation
Establish and implement an action plan for controlling public
exposure due to radon indoors
- ventilation
Establish and enforce requirements for the protection of workers
- environmental monitoring
- PPE provided to the workers
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CHALLENGES
1. Existing exposure situation: Contamination of areas by residual
radioactive Material (tin mining activities); which radionuclide in either
the uranium or thorium decay chains exceeds 1 Bq/g or the activity
concentration of K-40 exceed 10 Bq/g [REMEDIATION]
2. Processing of raw materials that involve exposure due to material
where the activity concentration in the material of any radionuclide in
the uranium or thorium decay chains is greater than 1 Bq/g or the
activity concentration of K-40 is greater than 10 Bq/g.
[AUTHORIZATION]
3. Public acceptance After the Fukushima accident, the decision making
process in controlling and supervising atomic energy activities,
especially related to mineral processing and disposal of radioactive
waste containing NORM had been reviewed. [PUBLIC
ACCEPTANCE]
4. Competence authority - Increase public confidence: 3S (SAFETY,
SECURITY & SAFEGUARD)
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1. EXISTING EXPOSURE SITUATION

Existing exposure situation: Contamination of areas by
residual radioactive Material (tin mining activities); which
radionuclide in either the uranium or thorium decay chains
exceeds 1 Bq/g or the activity concentration of K-40 exceed
10 Bq/g

Isodose mapping throughout the country (environmental

monitoring and sampling etc)
Remediation of ex-mining areas (landfilling/ reclamation)
Development of ex-mining areas (Future plan)
- Ventilation
- PPE to workers
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MONITORING EQUIPMENTS AND PPE

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2. PROCESSING OF RAW MATERIALS

Processing of raw materials that involve exposure due to
material where the activity concentration in the material of
any radionuclide in the uranium or thorium decay chains is
greater than 1 Bq/g or the activity concentration of K-40 is
greater than 10 Bq/g.

Authorization: Licensing
Licence conditions: Import/ exports/ storage/ processing
Radioactive waste management
-waste minimization (Reduce, Reuse. Recycle)
- disposal facility
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3. PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE

Indirectly, Fukushima accident also had influenced the

decision making process in controlling the atomic energy
activities in Malaysia. This also had given big impact on the
level of thrust to the regulator in controlling and
supervising atomic energy activities, especially related to
mineral processing and disposal of radioactive waste
containing NORM.

Thus, AELB have increased its public engagement activities

and make it a compulsory to all applicants for mineral
containing NORM processing and radioactive waste
disposal activities.
36

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Public Acceptance Activities

Outreach/ Awareness program

-

Outreach program to the politicians, other governmental officers, industries, school

and universities students
Awareness program & Public communication - Address Public Concern, Ensure Safety
& Health Of The Public, Workers And The Environment

Public Engagement
-

Media briefing
Presentation
FAQ (online)

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4. COMTEPENCE AUTHORITY: TO ENHANCE

PUBLIC CONFIDENCE
NUCLEAR SECURITY & PHYSICAL PROTECTION:
RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL CATEGORY 1-3:
SECURITY PLAN
THREAT ASSESSMENT
NATIONAL RADIOACTIVE AND NUCLEAR DETECTION SYSTEM
(PORTAL MONITOR):
To prevent illicit trafficking/illegal movement of radioactive and
nuclear material
ENVIRONMENTAL RADIATION MONITORING SYSTEM (ERMS):
A detection of early warning sign of trans-boundary
radioactivity on the environmental in case of any radiation or
nuclear contamination
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NUCLEAR SECURITY & PHYSICAL PROTECTION

National Emergency
Response Centre

INFRASTRUCTURE FOR
MONITORING OF 3S: SAFETY,
SECURITY AND SAFEGUARDS

- Incident
- Accident
- Sabotage
- Illicit trafficking
- Misused
Environmental radiation
monitoring system
Illicit trafficking & border control

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Environmental Radiation Monitoring System ERMS

Malaysia have installed ten (10) units of Environmental Radiation
Monitoring System (ERMS) throughout the country that gives a detection of
early warning sign of trans-boundary radioactivity on the environmental in
case of any radiation or nuclear contamination
Data from all site are transmitted and monitored at AELB control centre.

Thank you

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