In February 2025, the United Kingdom’s Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) issued an improvement notice to Direct Rail Services (DRS), a company responsible for the rail transport of radioactive material. The enforcement action followed the voluntary suspension of operations by DRS in November 2024, after serious non-compliances by a subcontractor came to light. The ONR found that the subcontractor was operating without the required registrations, had not appointed mandatory Radiation Protection and Dangerous Goods Safety Advisors, and had failed to conduct proper risk assessments or provide adequate staff training. Investigations confirmed breaches of IRR17, CDG 2009, ADR, and RID 2023 regulations, along with deficiencies in DRS’s procurement management and supply chain oversight systems. Although no harm to people or the environment was reported, the company is required to complete corrective actions by 31 August 2025.
Massimo Serresi
