The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) was constituted on 15 November 1983 by the President of India in exercise of powers conferred by Section 27 of the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 (33 of 1962) to perform certain regulatory and safety functions under that Act. . The regulatory authority of the AERB is derived from the rules and notifications promulgated under the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Environmental Protection Act, 1986.
The Board’s mission is to ensure that the use of ionizing radiation and nuclear power in India does not cause undue risk to health and the environment.
The AERB also receives advice from the Advisory Committee on Nuclear Safety (ACNS). ACNS consists of experts from AERB.
ACNS provides recommendations on safety codes, guidelines and manuals prepared for the siting, design, construction, operation, quality assurance and decommissioning/life extension of nuclear power plants, which have been prepared by the relevant advisory committees for each of these areas. It also advises the board on general security matters. The ACNS examines and advises on any particular matter referred to it by the AERB.
History of AERB Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) was established to address the need for stringent regulatory oversight in the nuclear sector following the enactment of the Atomic Energy Act, 1962. Since its inception, AERB has evolved to include more comprehensive safety protocols and regulatory measures to adapt to advancements in nuclear technology and international safety standards.
The Board’s mission is to ensure that the use of ionizing radiation and nuclear power in India does not pose undue risks to health and the environment.
The functions of Atomic Energy Regulatory Board Advisory to safe the environment and health includes:
The AERB receives advice from the Advisory Committee on Nuclear Safety (ACNS). The ACNS comprises experts from AERB, the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE, established on 3 August 1954), and non-DAE institutions. The ACNS provides recommendations on safety codes, guidelines, and manuals related to the siting, design, construction, operation, quality assurance, and decommissioning/life extension of nuclear power plants.
ELORA stands for E-Licensing Of Radiation Applications is a statutory requirements set by AERB. All medical radiation facilities in India including Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy, and Diagnostic Radiology, must be compulsorily licensed from the eLORA platform, which is a web application on the AERB website.
That the Advisory was issued by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) on March 16, 2022. Important points of the Advisory is as follows-:
Through published media reports, the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) has come to know that cells or products containing naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) are being made available in the Indian market under various categories such as scalar energy products and negative ion products, Clothing /jewellery with negative ion technology etc. These items are promoted with claims of health benefits and improving emotional well-being
Due to the likelihood of increased levels of ionising radiation in such products, excessive radiation may occur, which is undesirable. Therefore, as an abundance of caution, AERB advises and urges the people of India to be aware of such unverified claims and exercise sound judgement.
Please note that the deliberate addition of radioactive substances to food, beverages, toys, personal ornaments and cosmetics or any other commodity or product and the sale, import or export of such products is prohibited by Rule 13 of the Atomic Energy (Radiation Protection) Rules. 2004, promulgated under the Atomic Energy Act of 1962.
