Functions of Office

(1) The functions and responsibilities of the Office are to– (a) exercise regulatory control over activities, practices and facilities involving ionizing (b) define the exposures of persons to ionizing radiation that are excluded from the scope of Radiation Safety and Security [CAP. 330:0117 application of this Act because they are not amenable to licensing or other regulatory (c) advise the Minister on the development of national policies and measures for the regulatory control of facilities, activities and practices under this Act; (d) prepare and develop regulations and guidance necessary for the implementation of this Act, including the criteria for exemptions from regulatory control; (e) issue, amend, suspend or revoke licences and set conditions for practices and activities; (f) confirm the competence of personnel responsible for the safe and secure operation of facilities, activities and practices; (g) inspect, monitor and assess activities for the purpose of verifying compliance with this Act, regulations or the terms and conditions of (h) enforce compliance with the provisions of this Act, regulations and licence conditions, and ensure that appropriate corrective actions are (i) obtain the advice or views of experts necessary for the performance of its functions, inter alia, the hiring of consultants; (j) define the obligations, including financial ones, of persons or entities licenced to conduct activities and practices or operate facilities; 18 (k) establish and impose fees or charges for (l) establish and maintain a national register of (m) establish and maintain a national register of persons licenced to carry out activities or practices under this Act; (n) establish and maintain such other registers that may be required from time to time; (o) cooperate with the IAEA, in the application of safeguards in accordance with the Safeguards Agreement and any Protocol thereto between Belize and the IAEA, including the conduct of inspections and visits, the carrying out of complementary access and providing any assistance or information required by IAEA inspectors designated by the IAEA in the fulfilment of their responsibilities; (p) establish and maintain a national system for the registration of licences for nuclear (q) establish the necessary reporting and record- keeping pursuant to the Safeguards Agreement and any Protocols thereto between Belize and the IAEA; (r) establish and implement, with other relevant agencies, a system of control for the export and import of nuclear and other radioactive material, sources, equipment, information and technology determined to be necessary to implement the relevant international commitments of Belize; Radiation Safety and Security [CAP. 330:0119 (s) establish regulatory measures for the security of nuclear and other radioactive material and their associated facilities and activities, including for the detection, prevention and response to unauthorized or malicious acts involving such material or facilities; (t) participate in the threat assessment and the definition of the design basis threat for the implementation of security provisions; (u) cooperate with other relevant agencies in respect of the establishment and maintenance of a plan for preparedness for and responses to emergencies involving nuclear or other radioactive material, in accordance with the and Response Plan established under section 48; (v) cooperate with other public bodies and nongovernmental bodies having competence in such areas as health and environmental and transportation of dangerous goods; (w) exchange information and cooperate with regulatory bodies in other States and with relevant international organizations concerning matters arising from the exercise of its functions; (x) establish appropriate mechanisms and procedures for informing and consulting the public and other stakeholders about the regulatory process and the safety, health and environmental aspects of regulated activities and practices, including incidents, accidents, and abnormal occurrences; 20 (y) obtain information, documents and opinions from such persons as may be necessary and appropriate for the conduct of its functions; (z) communicate directly with other public bodies in all circumstances it considers necessary for the effective exercise of its functions; and (aa) conduct any other functions that are necessary in its opinion to protect people and the environment of Belize against the harmful effects of ionizing radiation. (2) In exercising any of its functions under this Act, the Office shall not be subject to the control or direction of any person or body.