Doha, October 25 (QNA) - The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC) completed 2,259 requests across 32 radiation-protection services in the first eight months of 2026, substantially bolstering processing efficiency and streamlining regulatory oversight.

In a Sunday statement, MECC said average processing times fell nearly 27 percent, comparing requests submitted from the launch of its new electronic system in April through August 2025 with those submitted from January through August 2026. Processing times for licenses to import and export radioactive materials improved by 36.1 percent, while those for radiation-emitting equipment improved by 19.1 percent.

Completed requests included 724 personal-license renewals for radiation-related work and 607 new-license applications, alongside applications to issue, renew, and amend licenses for radioactive materials, radiation-emitting equipment, vehicles, and related activities.

At border crossings, streamlined procedures and a review of harmonized code lists in coordination with relevant authorities cut by 50.2 percent the number of customs declarations requiring Radiation Protection Department review, expediting clearance and bolstering operational efficiency.

The average time to complete a customs declaration fell about 41 percent, from 12 hours and 59 minutes to 7 hours and 39 minutes, while the average initial response time plunged nearly 70 percent, from 5 hours and 10 minutes to 1 hour and 34 minutes.

For express-courier shipments, average inspection time after assignment to the responsible officer dropped 20 percent, from 20.5 minutes to 16.4 minutes, comparing January–August 2025 with the same period in 2026.

MECC said it would continue to automate radiation-protection services and strengthen electronic integration with relevant authorities to expedite processing and further consolidate efficiency while fully upholding radiation-safety and security requirements. (QNA)