SEPA is responsible for regulating the disposal of radioactive waste from nuclear licensed sites and from ‘small user’ premises such as non-nuclear industrial sites, offshore installations, hospitals, universities and research premises. We also regulate the keeping and use of radioactive material by these small users.

Our main objective is to minimise the impact of the use of radioactive material and the disposal of radioactive waste on the environment and on human health. To do this, we use the Radioactive Substances Act 1993 (RSA 93) and other legal instruments.

As well as regulation, we play an important role in maintaining SEPA's readiness to respond to incidents involving the release of radioactivity to the environment. We provide an out-of-hours standby service, ensuring that a senior member of staff is always available to initiate a response to reports of incidents involving radioactive substances.