Approving Authority for IP and Type A Packages

Industrial Packages (IP) and Type A Package designs do not require approval by the Competent Authority; this is the Office of Nuclear Regulation (ONR) in the UK. However, such designs do require documented evidence detailing compliance of the design with all applicable regulatory requirements. In order to standardise on the system for and format of this documentation, the UK Transport Container Standardisation Committee (TCSC) in association with ONR introduced a standard which sets out how such documentary evidence should be presented, together with a template for any Certificates of Approval to be issued. As the registered Design Authority for its package designs and in accordance with the TCSC standard, we issue Certificates of Approval for IP and Type A Package designs – these are valid both for UK and international shipments.

Our Quality Management System (QMS) has been approved by ONR for the licensing and certification of IP and Type A packages for the transport of radioactive materials. This system has been approved as demonstrating, through inspection and audit, that it’s designs comply with the requirements of the applicable UK legislation, SI 2009 No 1348 (as amended by SI 2011 No 1885): specifically, for the design, operation and maintenance of radioactive materials under the various dangerous goods directives, including ADR. Our QMS is compliant with the requirements of ISO 9001 and also includes specific procedures (audited and approved by ONR and the US NRC) that relate to the licensing process for packages for the transport of radioactive materials: these include topic specific training, establishing SQEP staff, review of designs, review of licensing Safety Reports, document control and change control.