Pursuant to the Radiation Protection Act, 2006 and Radiation Protection Regulations 2008, any person who wishes to engage in activities which involve ionizing radiation sources must obtain a licence to do so. This is required to ensure that the operators/users, public and the environment are protected from the adverse effects of ionizing radiation.
Those who engage in or intend to engage in any of the following activities require a licence:
- Acquire, own, possess, transfer, distribute, sell, use, manufacture, transport, import, or export any radioactive material , radioactive substance, or source;
- Administer any radioactive substance to any person for the purposes of diagnosis, treatment or research;
- Add radioactive substances in the production and manufacture of foodstuffs, medicinal products, cosmetics and products for household use;
- Physically or chemically alter or modify part or all of any radioactive material, substance or source; or
- Manage or dispose of any radioactive waste
In order to access this service, applicants must follow the following steps:
1) Complete the following forms:
a. Application for License/Permit to Import/Export/Transport/Possess and Use of Radioactive Sources/Generators/Equipment (Form 2); and
b. Ionizing Safety User Registration Form (Form 01).
2) Bring the two forms along with all supporting documentation listed below to Radiation Protection Inspectorate located at:
Unit B, Plot 132, Gaborone International Finance Park or email to rpibots [at] gov.bw (rpibots[at]gov[dot]bw) or post to P/Bag BO1, Bontleng , Gaborone
3) Make payment for notification and licence fees accordingly.
4) Inspectorate staff will assess the application and provide feedback to the applicant within 10 days.
5) For new licences
a) Applications that have passed the assessment will be published in the Government Gazette and submitted for the next scheduled meeting of the Radiation Protection Board for adjudication. Please note that applications must have passed the assessment stage at least three weeks before the Board meeting in order to be submitted for that meeting.
b) The applications should be published in Gazette not less than seven days before the meeting of the Board at which the application is to be adjudicated.
c) Applicants will be informed of the decision of the board within three days of the board meeting.
For Renewal of licences
a) Applications that have passed the assessment will be submitted for the next scheduled meeting of the Licence Renewal Committee for adjudication. Please note that applications must have passed the assessment stage at least a day before the Committee meeting date in order to be submitted for that meeting.
b) Applicants will be informed of the decision of the Committee within three days of the Committee meeting.
6) Successful applicants may collect their licence from the office of the RPI. Licence not collected within 5 days shall be send by post using registered mail.
When applying for the service please attach the following documents:
For New Licences
- Application for License/Permit to Import/Export/Transport/Possess and Use of Radioactive Sources/Generators/Equipment (Form 2);
- Ionizing Safety User Registration Form (Form 01) (appointed Licensee must be one of the shareholders or Directors of the company) (letter of appointment for Government organizations and Parastatals)
- Radiation Safety and Protection programme/plan;
- A safety assessment (in cases where this is prescribed by the Inspectorate);
- Curriculum vitae and certified copies of academic certificates of the nominated Radiation Safety Officer and his/her Deputy;
- Company Extract showing shareholders and Directors
- Identification documents for Licensee e.g Omang or Passport
- Identification documents for Radiation Safety Officer e.g Omang or Passport
- Identification documents for Deputy Radiation Safety Officer e.g Omang or Passport
- Certificate of Incorporation (Form 4)
- Practice authorizations from Botswana Health Professions Council for all operators (Medical practices only).
- Sketch plan of the Premises
- Proof of payment for notification and licence fee ( ask for invoice before submission of the application)
Please note - The Radiation Protection Board will also consider any written notice of objection or other representations made by members of the public.
For Renewal of Licences
- Application for Licence/Permit to Import/Export/Transport/Possess and Use of Radioactive Sources/Generators/Equipment (Form 2); and
- Ionizing Safety User Registration Form (Form 01) (appointed Licensee must be one of the shareholders or Directors of the company) (letter of appointment Government organizations and Parastatals) (For new licensee)
- Radiation Safety and Protection programme/plan;
- Curriculum vitae and certified copies of academic certificates of the nominated radiation safety Officer and his/her Deputy;
- Company Extract showing shareholders and Directors
- Identification documents for Licensee e.g Omang or Passport(For new Licensee)
- Identification documents for Radiation Safety Officer e.g Omang or Passport (For new RSO)
- Identification documents for Deputy Radiation Safety Officer e.g Omang or Passport (For new DRSO)
- Practice authorizations from Botswana Health Profession Council for all operators (Medical practice only).
- Sketch plan of thr Premisses
- Proof of payment for notification and licence fee ( ask for invoice before submission)
For New Licences
It will take between 88 days for applications that have passed the initial assessment stage to be approved as per the following timelines:
- The Radiation Protection Board meets every 3 months.
- Applications must have passed the assessment stage atleast three weeks before the scheduled Board meeting where the application is to be adjudicated.
For Licence Renewals
It will take between 21 days for applications that have passed the initial assessment to be approved as per the following timelines:
- The Licence Renewal Committee meets every 2 weeks.
- Applications must have passed the assessment stage atleast a day before the scheduled Committee meeting where the application is to be adjudicated.
Licences will be ready for collection within a week from the date of the Board meeting.
For more information, please contact the office listed below.
Radiation Protection Inspectorate
Private Bag BO 1
Bontleng Gaborone, Botswana
Unit B, Plot 132, Gaborone International Finance Park
Tel: (267)318-8388
Fax: (267) 395-7025
e-mail: rpibots [at] gov.bw (rpibots[at]gov[dot]bw)
website: www.mcst.gov.bw
Opening hours: 7:30 am to 12:45 pm and 13:45pm to 16:30 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
