Forgotten ECDs can leave laboratories unknowingly non-compliant

Electron Capture Detectors (ECDs) remain a familiar sight in analytical laboratories, having been used for decades in gas chromatography applications. However, many laboratories are unaware that ECDs contain a Nickel-63 (Ni-63) radioactive source and remain regulated under UK law, regardless of whether the detector is still in use.

One of the most common compliance issues arises when ECDs are taken out of service and placed into storage. Under UK radiation safety legislation, storing a Ni-63 source without the correct licence is not permitted. This includes detectors that are faulty, no longer required, or removed from an instrument and kept as spares.

Universities and long-established laboratories are particularly affected, as equipment is often replaced in phases and responsibility for legacy detectors can be lost over time. In many cases, ECDs remain on site for years without being reviewed or formally accounted for.

Problems are often only identified during audits, laboratory refurbishments, or site relocations. By then, laboratories may find themselves in possession of radioactive material they are not authorised to hold, exposing the organisation to regulatory and safety risks.

Disposing of an ECD requires specialist handling. Because of the Ni-63 source, detectors must be assessed, transported, and disposed of by licensed providers, with full documentation confirming that the source has been legally decommissioned.

Ellutia Ltd has more than 30 years’ experience supporting laboratories with gas chromatography equipment and services. The company is licensed to manage Ni-63 ECD disposal and provides an end-to-end service covering assessment, secure removal, compliant disposal or reuse assessment, and all required paperwork.

Laboratories are advised to review any unused or stored ECDs and check whether their existing licences allow them to hold the detectors in their current state. If there is uncertainty, seeking advice sooner rather than later can prevent more serious compliance issues.

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