Provisional Translation
| OTO No. | 521 | Classification | STA-1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of Acceptance | August 18, 1994 | Ministry/Agency Receiving Complaint | Economic Planning Agency |
| Responsible Ministries | Science and Technology Agency | Related Laws | The Law concerning Prevention of Radiation Hazards Due to Radioisotopes, etc. |
| Complainant | Domestic firm | Exporting Countries | Switzerland |
| Subject | Import of products using the radioactive isotope tritium | ||
| Details of Measures | Under the Law for the Prevention of Radiation Damage, the use, sale, disposal and other handling of radioactive isotopes exceeding quantity (defined quantity) and strength (defined strength) set by the Minister of the Science and Technology Agency is regulated, in order to prevent radiation damage and secure public safety. Other radioactive isotopes, that is, those under the defined amount or defined strength (regulation-exempt value) are not regulated. Other countries also use regulation-exempt values. In the case of lithium, for example, the defined quantity is 3.7 MBq in Japan and 5 MBq in Britain, Germany, etc. The regulation-exempt value in question is reviewed as necessary, when new scientific knowledge is internationally recognized. New views concerning regulation-exempt values given in the recommendations of the International Radiation Protection Committee in 1990 are currently being studied by the Radiation Investigation Council, which is reviewing the matter, including revision of standards. In addition, Japan, like other countries, has a system for using certain radioactive isotopes even though their nuclides may exceed regulation-exempt values, in cases where regulations concerning use are met and there are no problems with safety, or uses a system of simplified regulations, and the Agency wishes to study the scope of use of these systems carefully, predicated on safety and taking into consideration other countries' regulations and safety measures in use. Since tritium gas, the product mentioned in this complaint, and which is used for illuminating signs, etc., produces light by stimulating a light-emitting substance, it is difficult to interpret that this is a light-emitting paint (liquid paint containing radioactive isotopes), which is excluded from regulation under Article 1, Clause 4 of the enforcement ordinance for the law relating to preventing radiation damage due to radioactive isotopes. Accordingly, the complainant was advised that this product couldn't be designated as the above-mentioned paint. |
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| Classification of Processing | Cc | Directions | III |
| Remarks | |||