Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
Sealed Source Tracking System
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Introduction
Possession and movement of high-risk radioactive sealed sources are regulated by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC).
CNSC manages Canada’s national inventory of high-risk radioactive sealed sources. The National Sealed Source Registry (NSSR) helps CNSC track the locations of all high-risk radioactive sealed sources in Canada and increases the security and safety of those sources.
The Sealed Source Tracking System (SSTS) is an electronic add-on to the NSSR that provides licensees with a more convenient and efficient way to report any movement of sealed sources.
What is a sealed source?
A radioactive sealed source is defined in CNSC Nuclear Substances and Radiation Devices Regulations as:
“a radioactive nuclear substance in a sealed capsule or in a cover to which the substance is bonded, where the capsule or cover is strong enough to prevent contact with or the dispersion of the substance under the conditions for which the capsule or cover is designed”.
Why it’s important to track sealed sources
High-risk sealed sources contain potentially dangerous radioactive material. If these sealed sources are misused, misplaced or abandoned, injuries and fatalities can occur.
Closely monitoring the movement of sealed sources through a national registry complies with the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources. This Code aims to enhance the safety and security of radioactive sources internationally.
Our online Sealed Source Tracking System (SSTS) is the first of its kind. Just one of the reasons Canada is a world leader in nuclear safety.
What does the Sealed Source Tracking System do?
The SSTS keeps track of movements of radioactive sealed sources from one location to another - using the Internet.
Licensees can now report the following activities online:
- Receipt
- Transfer
- Import
- Export
What is needed to use the Sealed Source Tracking System?
Only CNSC licensees who are authorized to possess high-risk sealed sources can use this system. These licensees must obtain an authorization code from their CNSC licensing officer.
Licensees using the system are required to provide:
- The date of transaction
- Serial number of source
- Where the source is coming from - CNSC licence number (if applicable) and address
- Where the source is going - CNSC licence number (if applicable) and address
- Model name/serial number of prescribed equipment (such as radiography camera, irradiator, teletherapy machine)
- Model/name of source assembly (in the case of radiography camera)
Transfers and exports must be reported at least 7 days before the actual shipment takes place.
Receipts and imports must be reported within 48 hours of reception.
What are the benefits of the Sealed Source Tracking System?
- Alerts the shipper if the recipient is not licensed by CNSC
- Alerts the shipper if the receiving location is not authorized
- Helps CNSC to monitor the possession and movement of sealed sources, and prevent any unauthorized possession of sources which could harm Canadians
- It’s quick, easy and convenient
