The Radiation Protection and Nuclear Science Group (RPNSG) is the national authority for radiation protection in Singapore. It administers and enforces the Radiation Protection Act and Regulations through a system of licensing, notification, authorisation, inspection, and enforcement.
About RPNSD
The Radiation Protection and Nuclear Science Group (RPNSG) was established on 1 August 2013, formerly known as the Centre for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Science (CRPNS). Its origins can be traced back to 1972, when the Radiation Protection Inspectorate (RPI) was formed as a unit under the Department of Scientific Services.
This unit first began the use of thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) as a monitoring device for radiation dose, and offered film badge monitoring services with assistance from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Then, equipped with a constant potential X-ray machine, it set up an IAEA/WHO Secondary Standards Dosimetry Laboratory (SSDL), which has been the national calibration laboratory for radiation protection and environmental monitoring since 1988.
In 1989, RPI was designated as the Singapore Contact Point for the following two IAEA Conventions: Convention on Early Notification of Nuclear Accident; and Convention on Assistance in the Case of Nuclear Accident. The Inspectorate became one of the eight centres under the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) in 2001 and was renamed Centre for Radiation Protection (CRP). On 1 July 2007, this Centre was then transferred to the NEA to form CRPNS, before it was later renamed to RPNSD and then RPNSG.
The key functions of RPNSG are listed as follows:
a) Administer and enforce the Radiation Protection Act (RPA) and its Regulations;
b) License the import, export, sale, possession, use and transport of radioactive materials and irradiating apparatus;
c) Ensure the safe use of ionising and non-ionising radiation;
d) Monitor radiation dose exposure for radiation workers;
e) Provide radiation-related and consultancy services (e.g. calibration of survey meters and radioactivity testing);
f) Control the disposal of radioactive waste;
g) Implement international conventions relating to nuclear safety, security and safeguards that Singapore is a party to;
h) Jointly respond with Singapore Civil Defence Force to radiological emergencies.