To ensure that services with radon mitigation in new and existing buildings is performed by personnel with relevant expertise, SINTEF has established a personal certification scheme. The certification scheme will be launched in 2022. As a third-party certification body, SINTEF certifies service personnel in accordance with "SINTEF’s guidelines for services in radon mitigation". This certification is enacted in accordance with the requirements of NS-EN ISO IEC 17024.
More information about personal certification:
Background for the scheme
Who can be certified?
Costs
Application and documentation
Validity and renewal of certificate
Termination and withdrawal of certificate
Re-establishment of certificate
Course and exam
Background
Radon is a radioactive colourless, odourless, and tasteless noble gas that increases the risk of lung cancer. The indoor level of the gas should be as low as possible. Radon levels indoors is today regulated by Employment Protection Act, Radiation Protection Law, Public Health Law and, the planning and building Act with directives. However, there are no regulations or arrangements to ensure that personnel measuring radon levels and mitigation radon has the necessary qualifications.
If the radon mitigation industry could refer to a common guideline and training systems it would give customers (proprietor, building owner, house owner, lessor, or landlord etc.) increased assurance. SINTEF has in collaboration with Norsk Radonforening (NRF) worked to establish a certification scheme for personnel working with Radon mitigation in new and existing buildings. The scheme will launch in 2022 and the certification scheme will be run by SINTEF. There will be held courses and training in collaboration by SINTEF and NRF, in accordance with their joint venture agreement. The Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA) is a contributor to these courses.
The purpose of this certification is to provide persons working with radon mitigation, documentation of their relevant and up-to-date competence. The personal certificate will indicate if the certificate holder has acquired competence in mitigation new or existing buildings (or both). Also, the certificate holder can document that expertise is maintained and up to date.
Who can be certified?
Costs
Application and documentation
Validity and renewal of certificate
Termination and withdrawal of certificate
Re-establishment of certificate
Course and exam
Background
Radon is a radioactive colourless, odourless, and tasteless noble gas that increases the risk of lung cancer. The indoor level of the gas should be as low as possible. Radon levels indoors is today regulated by Employment Protection Act, Radiation Protection Law, Public Health Law and, the planning and building Act with directives. However, there are no regulations or arrangements to ensure that personnel measuring radon levels and mitigation radon has the necessary qualifications. If the radon mitigation industry could refer to a common guideline and training systems it would give customers (proprietor, building owner, house owner, lessor, or landlord etc.) increased assurance. SINTEF has in collaboration with Norsk Radonforening (NRF) worked to establish a certification scheme for personnel working with Radon mitigation in new and existing buildings. The scheme will launch in 2022 and the certification scheme will be run by SINTEF. There will be held courses and training in collaboration by SINTEF and NRF, in accordance with their joint venture agreement. The Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA) is a contributor to these courses.
The purpose of this certification is to provide persons working with radon mitigation, documentation of their relevant and up-to-date competence. The personal certificate will indicate if the certificate holder has acquired competence in mitigation new or existing buildings (or both). Also, the certificate holder can document that expertise is maintained and up to date.
Two types of certification schemes will be provided:
- Personal certification for services in radon mitigation in existing buildings
- Personal certification for services in radon mitigation in new buildings
A certification scheme will ensure:
- increase in expertise among personnel giving Radon mitigation services. This will be advantageous to both parties, customer, and contractor in Radon mitigation services.
- that personnel that providing these services, acquires adequate knowledge about radon mitigation measures in existing buildings. This includes knowledge of older construction methods and solutions, and measures related to air tightening and sub-slab depressurization, including products and products groups for this.
- that personnel that providing these services, acquires adequate knowledge about radon mitigation measures in new buildings. This includes knowledge of design and project planning before construction startup, and measures related to air tightening and sub-slab depressurization, including products and products groups for this.
Who can be certified
- Persons fulfilling the following criteria are eligible to apply for certification:
- The applicant must have completed one or both of the following courses (course with exams):
- Sertifiseringskurs Eksisterende Bygg
- Sertifiseringskurs Nybygg
Costs
The certification is invoiced with a fixed annual fee of NOK 1350. Additionally, there is an issuance fee of NOK 2000. All prices are exclusive VAT and apply to 2023.
Application and documentation
Candidates who have passed the course examination of one or both of: Sertifiseringskurs Eksisterende Bygg/Sertifiseringskurs Nybygg may apply for personal certification for services in radon mitigation. The applicant must fill in necessary information in the application form/agreement and sign. The application can be sent in during the course, or later to radon@sintef.no.
Mark the title field with "Application for personal certification for services with radon mitigation.
Mark the title field with "Application for personal certification for services with radon mitigation.
The following documentation shall be attached to the application:
-
Personal details
- Name in full
- Date and birth
- Invoice address (if different from private address)
- Phone number
- E-mail address
- Picture in jpg format
- Type of certification
- Services in radon mitigation in existing buildings (Eksisterende bygg)
- Services in radon mitigation in existing buildings (Nybygg)
Applicants do not need to attach examination results to the application. SINTEF has lists of all candidates who have participated in the courses and the candidates’ examination results.
The applicant shall send application and associated documents to radon@sintef.no.
Validity and renewal of certificate
Activity reports shall be sent in the middle of the validity period, approximately 30 months after the certificate has been issued or renewed. SINTEF Certification will notify the certificate holder before the reporting is due. The report should give an overview of number of Radon mitigation assignments.
The certificate is valid for five years, provided that the holder submits a report on the number of services performed, and if necessary complete an update course. Update course will be given if there are larger changes in laws and regulations, or changes in directives or recommendation from the authorities.
Renewal of certificate is based on submitted documentation. This is to be sent to radon@sintef.no.
Termination and withdrawal of certificate
Mutual termination of the certificate can only be done at turn of the year and shall be notified in writing before December 1st. Withdrawal of the certificate can be done at any time if the annual fee is not paid in due time, if it is documented that the holder does not hold the necessary competence for service of small sewage treatment plants, if the personal certificate is misused (for instance, if the holder of the certificate claims product-specific competence not covered by the certificate), if activity reports are not submitted at due time, or if changes in contact information or invoice address are not reported to SINTEF Certification. Any fees paid by the holder will not be repaid by withdrawal.
Re-establishment of certificate
Certificates that have expired or been terminated or withdrawn can be re-established under the following conditions:
If application is received less than 12 months after expiry/termination/withdrawal date: Re-establishment can be done without new exam, provided any missing activity reports have been submitted.
If application is received 12 to 30 months after expiry/termination/withdrawal date: Re-establishment can be done after attending and passing exam of an update course. In addition, any missing activity reports must be submitted.
If application is received more than 30 months after expiry/termination/withdrawal date: Re-establishment can only be done after attending and passing exam of complete course (minimum 15 hours).
If application is received 12 to 30 months after expiry/termination/withdrawal date: Re-establishment can be done after attending and passing exam of an update course. In addition, any missing activity reports must be submitted.
If application is received more than 30 months after expiry/termination/withdrawal date: Re-establishment can only be done after attending and passing exam of complete course (minimum 15 hours).
In addition, invoice for certification costs and any annual fees must be paid before the certificate can be issued.
Course and exam
Fagkurs Radon (without exam) and the exam courses "Radontjenester Eksisterende bygg" and " Radontjenester Nybygg" is the basis for the certification scheme and will be held by SINTEF and NRF according to joint venture agreement, with DSA as contributor. More information on the courses can be found at NRF and SINTEFs web page.
Courses, exams, and examiner is approved according to SINTEF’s guidelines for services in radon mitigation.
Courses, exams, and examiner is approved according to SINTEF’s guidelines for services in radon mitigation.
Course organiser
SINTEF Community
