Singapore government Regulation

In the nineteen eighties, there were concerns over the safety of microwave ovens, lasers and ultrasonic devices, as these devices were increasingly being used in domestic and industrial applications. Microwave ovens were gaining popularity in households and in restaurants for cooking and warming up food, and lasers and ultrasound technologies were increasingly being applied in medical and industrial areas. Control over these potentially hazardous non-ionising radiation (NIR) devices was therefore necessary to ensure the safety of the people using such devices.

The Radiation Protection Act 1973 controlled only devices and materials that were capable of emitting ionising radiation such as x-ray, gamma, alpha and beta radiations. The concerns at that time focused on the hazards of ionising radiation which had been proven and documented. NIR devices did not come under any legislative control. For NIR devices to be controlled under the Radiation Protection Act, the 1973 Act was repealed in 1991 and re-enacted to include NIR devices by extending the definition of 'radiation' to include non-ionising radiation.

Radiation Protection (Non-Ionising Radiation) Regulations 1991 was gazetted in November 1991 and implemented on 1st February 1992. The following NIR irradiating apparatus were brought under legislative control:

• Ultraviolet sunlamps

• Microwave ovens

• Medical and industrial ultrasound apparatus

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus

• Entertainment lasers

• High power industrial & medical lasers

Licences are required for the manufacture, possession, use and sale of specified NIR apparatus. A licence is required for importing or exporting each consignment of NIR apparatus. All NIR apparatus shall be manufactured and designed so that the requirements on shielding, interlocks and warning devices are met. All NIR irradiating apparatus shall be appropriately labeled to give adequate warning of radiation hazards.

A laser radiation worker shall be at least 18 years old and shall have been adequately trained and have special knowledge on the safe use of lasers. He shall hold a licence authorising him to operate the lasers. A licence to use Class 4 medical lasers may be granted only to registered medical practitioners and registered dentists.

High power lasers (class 3b & 4) are used in industry for cutting, trimming, engraving, marking, drilling, welding, entertainment laser light show etc. As laser beams are highly collimated, low power lasers have been used to project reference line for construction alignment equipment, dredging, tunneling, pipe laying and bridge building, laser pointers, scanners for deciphering coded package markings and low power entertainment laser games.

Lasers that are used for the purpose of in vivo diagnostic, surgical, therapeutic laser irradiation of any part of the human body are classified as medical lasers under the Act. They can be found in plastic surgery, ophthalmic, obstetrics and gynecology applications. The photocoagulator is used by some surgeons to repair torn retinas. A limited beam laser has also been used to kill malignant tissue, burn away warts, remove birthmarks and for hair removal. Low power medical lasers can be found in various physiotherapy centres, acupuncture centres and beauty saloons. Acupuncture and cosmetic lasers are both categorised as medical lasers.

Licences for medical diagnostic and surgical ultrasonic devices may be granted to qualified medical practitioners only. Licences for therapeutic ultrasound may be granted to medical practitioners and qualified physiotherapists only. Industrial ultrasonic equipment with power output of more than 50 W are licensed for example, ultrasonic cleaners, ultrasonic welders, ultrasonic cutters etc.

Companies selling or dealing in non-ionising radiation (NIR) irradiating apparatus, need to apply for the N1 licence. Individuals may need to apply for N3 licence if the company is going to provide demonstration or maintenance of laser apparatus. Every consignment of NIR irradiating apparatus imported/exported requires a consignment licence (N4A/N4B).

Owners of NIR irradiating apparatus, will need to apply for a N2 licence for each of the NIR apparatus possessed by the company. If the NIR apparatus is a Class 3b or Class 4 laser the person(s) using the laser will have to apply for the N3 licence.

How to apply for licences

After you have found out which licences you need, go to the webpage http://www.nea.gov.sg and click on Downloads . Look for Centre for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Science (CRPNS) and click on it. You will see all the different types of licences issued by CRPNS.

Click on the licence type that you want to apply for, to download the application form. Fill up the form and send it to the Centre for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Science together with relevant documents and the cheque, made payable to 'National Environment Agency'.

For further enquiries, please contact:

Other Requirements

Applicants for N3 licences need to go for a medical examination. The Medical Certificate form is attached to the application form.