The disposal of radioactive waste for licensed and non-licensed sites is regulated under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993 (RSA). Radioactive gaseous, liquid or solid waste may only be disposed of or moved off the site in accordance with authorisations granted under the RSA.

In England and Wales the regulator under the RSA is the Environment Agency (EA), which consults with the public and relevant bodies including the Food Standards Agency before granting discharge authorisations. In Scotland the regulator under the RSA is the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency which follows a similar consultation process beofre granting discharge authorisations for nuclear sites in Scotland.

Authorisations for disposal of radioactive waste require the operator to use best practicable means to reduce discharges of radioactivity. The operator must in any event comply with the authorised discharge limits which are set by the EA or SEPA. Operators are required to assess regularly all radioactive discharges, monitor the local environment and report on the results. Failure to meet these requirements could result in prosecution of the holder of the authorisation.