Ionising Radiation

US NRC Schedules ACMUI Meeting on Modernising Byproduct Material Regulations

In May 2026 the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission announced a 90-minute public meeting of its Advisory Committee on the Medical Uses of Isotopes on 8 June 2026 to review subcommittee recommendations on modernising regulations for the medical use of byproduct material. The discussion will shape NRC’s forthcoming rulemaking for nuclear medicine licensees, so radiation-safety and compliance teams should monitor outcomes and prepare for potential changes to licensing, documentation, and operational controls.

22 May 2026, 16:46public-inspection.federalregister.govUnited States

China MEE Accepts EIA for Lantian Uranium Mine Water Treatment Emergency Upgrade (18 May 2026)

On 19 May 2026, China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment announced it had accepted the environmental impact assessment for a water treatment emergency capacity upgrade at the Lantian Uranium Mine and opened a public consultation running until 1 June 2026. This advances permitting for a nuclear and radiation project, signalling continued investment in uranium‑sector safety infrastructure and giving nearby operators and stakeholders a tight window to review impacts and lodge comments or positions.

21 May 2026, 06:52mee.gov.cnChina

Missouri HB3071 Proposes Expanded Disclosure Rules For Premises Contaminated With Radioactive Or Hazardous Materials

Missouri has introduced HB3071, now in the House Emerging Issues Committee, to tighten disclosure and notification rules for premises contaminated with radioactive or other hazardous materials, with a proposed effective date of 28 August 2026. If enacted, the bill would heighten compliance and liability risk for landlords, property sellers and other owners who receive government notices of contamination but fail to inform occupants and buyers, especially in residential settings.

19 May 2026, 21:26documents.house.mo.govUnited States

US NRC Seeks Comment on UniTech Name Change and Indirect Transfer of Export License XW023/01

In May 2026, the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission invited public comment and potential hearing requests on UniTech Services Group LLC’s application to amend Export License XW023/01 for a corporate name change and to consent to an indirect transfer of control from UniFirst Corporation to Cintas Corporation. This step determines future corporate responsibility for exports of 10,000 tons of radioactive waste to Canada, so nuclear and waste-management stakeholders should assess any implications for contracting, logistics, and compliance with US nuclear export controls.

19 May 2026, 21:19federalregister.govUnited StatesCanada

US NRC Proposes Modernizing Licensing Rules for Byproduct, Source, and Special Nuclear Material

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has proposed wide-ranging amendments to its byproduct, source, and special nuclear material licensing regulations to modernize requirements and reduce administrative and anti-competitive burdens, with public comments due in early July 2026. If adopted, the rule would streamline licensing, reporting, reciprocity, and decommissioning financial assurance for users of sealed sources, gauges, industrial radiography, well logging, and certain medical isotopes while maintaining radiation protection, so affected operators should assess potential cost savings and operational impacts now.

19 May 2026, 21:18federalregister.govUnited States

Health and Safety Executive Authorises Crown Censure of HMPPS Over Radon Overexposure at HMP Dartmoor

In May 2026, the UK Health and Safety Executive authorised a Crown Censure against His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service after finding prolonged radon overexposure of prisoners and staff at HMP Dartmoor above legal radiation dose limits. The case signals firm enforcement expectations on managing naturally occurring radiation hazards in workplaces, particularly for public-sector estates in known radon hotspots and similar high-risk environments.

14 May 2026, 18:50press.hse.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Netherlands ANVS Opens Consultation On Draft Nuclear Energy Act Permit For Wagenborg Stevedoring B.V.

ANVS has opened a public consultation on a draft Nuclear Energy Act permit allowing Wagenborg Stevedoring to dismantle NORM-contaminated offshore platforms at its Eemshaven, Delfzijl and Farmsum sites until 24 June 2026. This development raises expectations around radiation protection and NORM waste handling for offshore decommissioning operations in Dutch ports, and affected operators should track the final permit conditions for future projects.

14 May 2026, 18:39zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlands

UK Government Publishes Consultation Outcome and Response on Rolls-Royce SMR Justification

Defra has published the consultation outcome, including the summary of responses and government response, for the Nuclear Industry Association’s justification application for the Rolls-Royce small modular reactor, confirming that the Secretary of State has decided the practice is justified under UK ionising radiation regulations. This consolidates the regulatory case for the Rolls-Royce SMR while signalling that secondary legislation and subsequent approval processes will be the next critical milestones for organisations and investors assessing UK nuclear deployment plans.

9 May 2026, 18:57gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Pennsylvania HB 2017: Senate First Consideration of Radiation Protection Act Amendments for Microreactor and Small Modular Reactor Fees

In May 2026, the Pennsylvania Senate began considering HB 2017, a bill amending the 1984 Radiation Protection Act to define small modular and microreactors and adjust nuclear facility and transport fee provisions. If enacted, the measure would give regulators more flexibility to tailor fees for new reactor technologies, potentially reducing cost barriers while still funding radiation protection and emergency preparedness.

8 May 2026, 18:09palegis.usUnited States

New York Assembly Bill A11029 on Environmental Radiation Reporting Advances to Third Reading

New York lawmakers are advancing Assembly Bill A11029, which would require the state environmental agency to publish an annual public report on radioactive releases and notify other agencies when contamination exceeds legally defined limits for drinking water or food. If adopted, this would increase transparency and inter-agency oversight of radiological contamination, signalling closer scrutiny of facilities operating under New York’s radioactive materials and water and food safety standards.

8 May 2026, 07:46assembly.state.ny.usUnited States

China MEE Issues 2026 Guide on Nuclear Safety Reports for Nuclear Power Plant Operating Units

China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment has issued a revised 2026 edition of its Guide for Nuclear Safety Reports of Nuclear Power Plant Operating Units, effective 1 May 2026 and replacing the 2020 guide. Nuclear power plant operators should update reporting templates, data systems and governance processes so that monthly, quarterly, annual and incident reports submitted under existing nuclear safety reporting regulations fully align with the new guide.

5 May 2026, 15:57mee.gov.cnChina

UK Regulators Publish Study on Regulation of Medical Radioisotope Supply

In April 2026, UK nuclear, environmental and health and safety regulators published a joint study explaining how the existing regulatory framework governs current and future medical radioisotope production and supply. The report signals that while no immediate legal changes are proposed, future investment and siting decisions for accelerator, reactor and legacy-waste-based radionuclide production will hinge on clarifying nuclear licensing boundaries, REPPIR emergency-planning thresholds and permitting expectations for novel radionuclides.

5 May 2026, 06:52assets.publishing.service.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Washington State DOH Proposes Editorial Amendments to Radiation Contact Information Rules (WAC 246-222-080 and 246-243-205)

Washington State’s Department of Health has proposed editorial amendments to two radiation protection rules to remove embedded contact details and clarify informal review and temporary job site notification procedures, with comments and a virtual hearing scheduled for 9 June 2026. While the proposal does not change underlying radiation safety obligations, licensees and registrants should track adoption so their communication and notification practices reflect the updated rule structure and contact channels.

4 May 2026, 19:56doh.wa.govUnited States

Netherlands Publishes Strategic Research Agenda for Targeted Radionuclide Therapy

In April 2026 the Dutch Parliament published a non-binding strategic research agenda outlining how the Netherlands should build a leading ecosystem for targeted radionuclide therapy, from radionuclide supply and GMP infrastructure through clinical research, dosimetry and data platforms. This roadmap signals future expectations for coordinated investment, HTA-driven evidence generation, and closer engagement with regulators on registration, reimbursement and radiation safety, giving radiopharmaceutical developers and hospitals early insight into likely direction of travel rather than new legal duties.

3 May 2026, 14:59zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlands

Maryland Enacts SB915 on Registration of Limited X‑Ray Machine Operators

Maryland has enacted SB915 (Chapter 214), establishing a new registration, training, and disciplinary regime for limited X-ray machine operators under the State Board of Physicians effective 1 October 2026. Hospitals and physician practices that rely on non-licensed staff for basic X-ray imaging must ensure staff meet the new registration standards, adjust delegation and supervision protocols, and plan for ongoing compliance and oversight.

3 May 2026, 14:41mgaleg.maryland.govUnited States

Murcia Region and Nuclear Safety Council Confirm No Radiological Risk at Zinsa and Strengthen Radiological Oversight

In April 2026 the Government of the Region of Murcia and Spain’s Nuclear Safety Council confirmed that soils at the former Zinsa site in Cartagena show no radiological risk and agreed to intensify joint oversight and remediation planning. The combination of a pending €2 million sanction, continued work on other contaminated sites and an expanded radiological inspection programme for 2025–2026 signals sustained regulatory scrutiny of radiological safety and legacy contamination in the region.

3 May 2026, 09:17carm.esSpain

Commission Recommendation (Euratom) 2026/403 on Diagnostic Reference Levels for Radiodiagnostic Examinations and Interventional Radiology Procedures

In February 2026 the European Commission adopted Euratom Recommendation 2026/403, setting out detailed good practices for how EU countries should establish, review, and use diagnostic reference levels for radiodiagnostic examinations and interventional radiology. Although non-binding, this guidance is likely to trigger renewed dose surveys, protocol updates, and investment in dose-monitoring systems across hospitals and imaging centres, tightening alignment with the Basic Safety Standards Directive and the emerging European Health Data Space.

28 Apr 2026, 19:46eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

UN TDG Sub-Committee Drafts Alignment Of Model Regulations With 2025 IAEA Radioactive Material Transport Rules

The IAEA has submitted a detailed working paper to the UN Sub-Committee on the Transport of Dangerous Goods proposing to align the UN Model Regulations for radioactive material transport with the 2025 edition of its SSR-6 (Rev. 2) safety standard, including a full rework of radionuclide activity tables, new NORM definitions, and wide-ranging editorial and technical updates. Once adopted into the twenty-fifth revised edition, these changes will cascade into global modal and national rules, forcing nuclear, medical, industrial and logistics operators to revisit classification, package design, dose-rate and TI/CSI calculations, labelling and long-term transition planning ahead of proposed legacy cut-offs around 2035.

28 Apr 2026, 19:05docs.un.orgGlobal

US NRC Submits OMB Renewal Request for NRC Form 748 National Source Tracking System Report

NRC has asked the US Office of Management and Budget to renew the existing NRC Form 748 National Source Tracking System information collection, with public comments due by 26 May 2026. The renewal keeps respondent counts and burden hours unchanged, signalling that licensees using high‑risk sealed radioactive sources should expect current NSTS reporting obligations to continue while watching for any future adjustments to the form or programme.

28 Apr 2026, 18:27federalregister.govUnited States

Washington DOH Adopts Final Rule Updating Radionuclide Air Emissions Reference (WAC 246-247-035)

Washington’s Department of Health has adopted a final update to WAC 246-247-035 so that Washington’s radionuclide air emissions rule now incorporates the 2026 version of the federal standards in 40 C.F.R. Part 61, effective 21 May 2026. For operators of facilities with radionuclide air emissions this is an administrative alignment, with no new emission limits, but permits and compliance records should be checked to ensure they reference the updated federal text and delegated state programme.

26 Apr 2026, 16:48doh.wa.govUnited States