Radioactive substances

In the definition given in the Atomic Energy Act (AtG), those substances are termed "radioactive substances" whose content of radionuclides "cannot be disregarded". Values occurring below legal excepted quantities can be "disregarded" as defined by the AtG. One differentiates between nuclear fuels and other radioactive substances.

The scale for the classification "radioactive" is the exceeding of the exemption limits according to the provisions of the Radiation Protection Ordinance. All substances containing radionuclides must be classified as "radioactive" if their activity (that is, the number of nuclear transformations of a radionuclide or radionuclide mixture occurring per time unit) exceeds the exemption limits mentioned.