Report high-level radioactive sources to the HRQ register

You must report the transfer, acquisition, other whereabouts, and leak tests of high-activity radiation sources to the HRQ register.

In Germany, high-radioactivity radiation sources are used in industry and commerce, medicine, research, and agriculture. Areas of application in industry include, for example, the calibration of measuring instruments. In medicine, radiation sources are used in radiation therapy, among other things.

Since 2005, there have been statutory regulations in Germany for the control of "high-activity radioactive sources" (HARS), meaning sources of radiation whose activity is so high that misuse could be associated with a high level of hazard.

You must report the transfer, acquisition, other whereabouts, and the performance of leak tests of a high-activity radiation source to the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) via the HRQ Register.

The handling of radiation sources whose activity is below the value for high-activity sealed radioactive sources does not require notification to the HRQ Register.

The HRQ Register enables the seamless tracking of the whereabouts of high-activity radioactive sources within Germany. Registration is carried out in a secure electronic format via an internet platform of the Federal Office for Radiation Protection.

To report a highly radioactive source, you must first register.

• The reporting of high-activity radioactive sources (HARS) is done exclusively via the internet.
• Download the registration form from the HRQ registry website, fill it out (preferably on screen), sign it, and send it by mail or fax to the specified address or fax number of the BfS.
• You will receive a personal username and a personal password for access.
• On the homepage of the HRQ register, you can log in with these access credentials and you will be taken to the main page for approval holders.
• From there, you can access the input mask for initial reports or the overview of reports already submitted.
• You can find the data for the notification in the radiation source certificate included with the HRQ, as well as in the shipping or test logs.
  The „HRQ identification number“ corresponds to the serial number of the radiation source.
• While the report is being imported into the HRQ register, an email is sent to the authority specified in the report, informing them that the report they submitted has been received.
• The competent supervisory authority will check your report for completeness and compliance with your permit. If the review result is positive, it will mark the data as checked and correct. In the event of objections, you will be notified by email.

• The radiation protection supervisor must immediately notify the HQR Register of the acquisition, transfer, and loss of high-activity radiation sources, as well as any changes to previously recorded information. The leak test must be reported to the HQR Register within one month of its performance.
• The competent authority shall verify the transmitted data within one month for completeness and compliance with the granted permit.

none