"Targeted" Regulation of Facilities Handling Radiation: Chongren Pioneers an Innovative "Red-Yellow-Green" Tiered Control Mechanism

Chongren County, Jiangxi Province, has innovated its approach to radiation safety regulation by focusing on four key dimensions: system development, risk management and control, monitoring and early warning, and public outreach. These efforts have comprehensively strengthened the regulation of the radiation environment, ensuring stable environmental quality and preventing any radiation safety accidents for consecutive years.

**"One File Per Enterprise" for a Clear Regulatory Baseline.** Chongren County has established a three-tier regulatory system—featuring county-level coordination, local-level responsibility, and primary responsibility held by the entities themselves—to ensure accountability at every level. The county has conducted a comprehensive inventory of all entities involved in radiation-related activities, created categorized and graded regulatory records, and implemented a "one file per enterprise" digital management system. Electronic files containing details such as licensing qualifications, equipment inventories, personnel information, protective measures, and emergency plans have been created for each entity, enabling dynamic updates and real-time access.

Currently, 11 entities involved in radiation-related activities are under regulation—comprising eight facilities using radiation-emitting devices and three involving electromagnetic radiation sources. All have been formally registered and filed, ensuring a clear regulatory baseline.

**Three-Color Grading for Precision Regulation.** To address varying risk levels among different entities, Chongren County has innovatively implemented a "red-yellow-green" three-color grading and control mechanism. Entities are classified into red (high risk), yellow (medium risk), and green (low-risk) categories based on factors such as radiation source type, risk level, and management standards. Differentiated regulatory measures are applied: high-risk (red) entities are inspected at least quarterly; medium-risk (yellow) entities are inspected semi-annually; and low-risk (green) entities undergo random inspections annually. This ensures that regulatory resources are precisely allocated to high-risk areas.

"We have shifted from 'casting a wide net' to 'targeted regulation,' resulting in a sharper focus and higher efficiency," stated an official from the Chongren Bureau of Ecology and Environment in Fuzhou City. Since the beginning of 2025, the county has deployed law enforcement personnel 52 times and conducted 33 inspections of radiation-related entities. Seven safety hazards were identified and rectified, achieving a 100% rectification rate. Furthermore, radiation safety has been incorporated into the "random selection of inspection targets and inspectors, and public disclosure of results" (known as "double random, one public disclosure") regulatory framework, with a random inspection rate of no less than 20% to ensure comprehensive oversight with no blind spots.

**Integrating Inspection and Monitoring to Enhance Enforcement Efficiency.** To improve the precision of law enforcement, Chongren County has equipped personnel with portable radiation monitoring instruments and implemented an integrated enforcement model that combines on-site inspection with technical monitoring. Law enforcement officers conduct radiation dose monitoring simultaneously with on-site inspections—measuring immediately upon arrival and investigating violations on the spot. This approach not only boosts enforcement efficiency but also relies on empirical data, ensuring that the entities under supervision accept the findings without objection.

Regarding monitoring and early warning, Chongren County has strategically established monitoring points at centralized drinking water sources, key residential areas, and zones with high base station density. Regular monitoring of electromagnetic radiation environmental quality is conducted, supported by a quarterly analysis and assessment system. Data indicates that all radiation environmental quality indicators across the county remain within the range of natural background fluctuations, ensuring environmental safety remains under control.

"Five-Pronged" outreach to dispel radiation anxiety. Addressing the public's fear of radiation, Chongren County balances regulation with service. Leveraging occasions such as National Security Education Day (April 15) and World Environment Day, the county conducts "Five-Pronged" outreach campaigns—bringing radiation safety education to hospitals, enterprises, communities, schools, and villages. Using accessible language and on-site measurement data, these initiatives disseminate knowledge on radiation protection and alleviate public panic.

Simultaneously, the county regularly organizes safety training and emergency drills for entities handling radiation sources, enhancing the safety operational skills and emergency response capabilities of personnel. Since the beginning of 2025, five promotional events have been held, reaching over 1,600 people, alongside three sessions of professional training and emergency drills involving more than 40 participants.

Chongren County will continue to deepen radiation safety regulation, further refine its "one-file-per-enterprise" digital management and "red-yellow-green" tiered control mechanisms, and explore information technology to enhance "smart" regulatory capabilities. These efforts aim to drive radiation safety regulation toward greater standardization and precision, effectively safeguarding public health and environmental safety.