Any person, organisation, or facility that possesses, uses, imports, exports, transports, stores, or disposes of radiation sources or radioactive materials in Lesotho must obtain authorisation from the RPA. This includes hospitals and clinics operating X-ray or radiotherapy equipment, dental practices, industrial radiography and nuclear gauging operations, mining activities involving naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM), research institutions, and any entity involved in the cross-border movement of radioactive materials. Licences are issued following a safety assessment and facility inspection, and must be renewed periodically.

The RPA enforces the three internationally recognised principles of radiation protection: justification (benefits must outweigh risks), optimisation or ALARA (exposures kept As Low As Reasonably Achievable), and dose limitation (individual doses must not exceed prescribed limits). Radiation workers are protected through mandatory personal dosimetry monitoring, workplace radiation surveys, protective equipment, and safety training. For the general public, the RPA ensures that radiation from licensed activities remains below the international annual dose limit of 1 millisievert (mSv) above natural background, through facility shielding requirements, restricted area controls, and environmental monitoring.

Do not touch or move the object — maintain a safe distance and prevent others from approaching. Note the location, appearance, and any warning labels, then contact the RPA immediately using the emergency number on this website. If the RPA cannot be reached, contact the Lesotho Mounted Police Service or your nearest emergency services. If you believe you may have been exposed, seek medical attention and inform the medical professionals of the potential exposure. Orphaned radioactive sources — lost, abandoned, or improperly discarded — may appear as small metal cylinders or capsules and can be found in scrap yards, construction sites, or industrial facilities.

The RPA’s regulatory framework is aligned with the IAEA International Basic Safety Standards (GSR Part 3) and the Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources.

You may contact the RPA through the telephone, email, and physical address listed on this website for general enquiries about radiation safety, licensing requirements, or regulatory compliance. To report suspected unsafe practices, unauthorised use of radiation sources, or environmental contamination, submit a report through the same channels — your identity can be kept confidential upon request. For emergencies involving radiation sources, use the emergency contact number published on this website. The RPA is committed to public engagement and periodically conducts awareness campaigns on the safe and beneficial uses of radiation.