At Linlithgow Sheriff Court, on 16 October 2001, Quintiles Limited pled guilty to charges under sections 6 and 14 of the Radioactive Substances Act 1993, in that they kept and used radioactive material and accumulated radioactive waste at their Livingston site without being registered or authorised by SEPA. Quintiles Limited were fined £2,000.

Stuart Hudson, a specialist with SEPA’s Radioactive Substances Unit said: “This demonstrates the need for companies using radioactive substances to obtain clear and reliable guidance on the steps necessary to ensure compliance with the Radioactive Substances Act 1993.

“In this particular case the company was aware of the legislation but failed to obtain adequate guidance. This resulted in the commission of the offences which SEPA considered serious enough to report to the Procurator Fiscal.”

ENDS