Republic of Latvia

Cabinet
Instruction No. 4
Adopted 10 June 2025

Instruction Regarding Actions of Responsible Authorities in the Event of Finding a Substance or Object of Unknown Origin if It Is Suspected that It Contains Explosive, Radioactive or Dangerous Chemical Substances or Biological Agents, and also if Indications of Terrorist Attack are Detected

Issued pursuant to Section 72, Paragraph one,
Clause 2 of the State Administration Structure Law

I. General Provisions

1. The Instruction prescribes the actions of the State Police, the State Fire and Rescue Service, the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the State Emergency Medical Service, the State Environmental Service, the State Security Service, and the National Armed Forces (hereinafter - the responsible authorities) if information (including anonymous) is received on:

1.1. a substance or object of unknown origin which has been found;

1.2. an unopened consignment that raises suspicions of the presence of a substance or object of unknown origin therein;

1.3. a damaged (partially opened or opened) consignment in which a substance or object of unknown origin is detected;

1.4. a consignment that is radioactive and the background radiation of which exceeds the permissible limit;

1.5. facts indicating the use of a substance or object of unknown origin for the commission of a criminal offence.

2. Within the meaning of this Instruction, a substance or object of unknown origin is:

2.1. an unidentified substance in any physical state thereof (for example, solid, powder, liquid, gas), the origin of which is not known;

2.2. an object that contains the substance referred to in Sub-paragraph 2.1 of this Instruction or an object from which the abovementioned substance falls out, scatters, spills, leaks, or has fallen out, scattered, spilled, or leaked;

2.3. an object that contains radioactive, dangerous chemical substances or biological agents together with explosives and devices that are intended for the dispersion of such substances.

II. Action at the Incident Site upon Receiving Information on a Substance or Object of Unknown Origin

3. Upon receipt of the information on the cases referred to in Paragraph 1 of this Instruction, the responsible authorities shall, without delay, hand it over to the following accordingly:

3.1. the State Police and the State Fire and Rescue Service which immediately arrive at the incident site in order to assess the circumstances and identify signs of a possible criminal offence or terrorist attack;

3.2. the State Security Service for information;

3.3. the State Emergency Medical Service if information has been received on the victims, indicating that there are suspicions that the health disorders of the victims are related to a substance or object of unknown origin which may cause harm to human health.

4. If the information referred to in Sub-paragraphs 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, or 1.5 of this Instruction has been received from the provider of the consignment delivery service, the responsible official of the State Police shall ascertain:

4.1. the supplier of the consignment (given name, surname, declared place of residence or legal name, registration number, legal address);

4.2. the declared content of the consignment;

4.3. the addressee of the consignment (given name, surname, declared place of residence or legal name, registration number, legal address).

5. At the incident site, the head of rescue operations of the State Fire and Rescue Service (hereinafter - the head of rescue operations) shall lead the measures, coordinate the cooperation of the responsible authorities to prevent or mitigate threats to human life and health, damage to the property and the environment, and shall decide on the formation of an operational headquarters. If a substance or object of unknown origin is found at an object in the possession of the Ministry of Defence, the duties of the head of rescue operations provided for in this Instruction shall be performed by the responsible official of the National Armed Forces but the duties of the person directing the proceedings if criminal proceedings have been initiated (hereinafter - the person directing the proceedings) shall be carried out at the incident site by an official of the Military Police of the National Armed Forces.

6. The head of rescue operations has the right to include the representatives of the responsible authorities and also other institutions, organisations, commercial companies, and local governments for participation in the operational headquarters.

7. In the cases referred to in Paragraph 1 of this Instruction, the head of rescue operations shall establish the following zones at the incident site the observance of which is ensured by the State Police:

7.1. green zone - the safe zone, the outer perimeter of the closed area where the operational headquarters established for the coordination of rescue operations, employees of other authorities, machinery, and technical equipment are located;

7.2. yellow zone - the controlled zone from which the state of the incident is monitored and where a decontamination point is established, and the technical equipment necessary for rescue operations is deployed;

7.3. red zone - the dangerous zone in which only those employees of responsible authorities may be present who are performing emergency actions to save lives or eliminate consequences, or procedural actions.

8. Officials of the State Police shall ensure public order in the immediate vicinity of the green zone.

9. The head of rescue operations at the incident site shall organise photo or video recording of the incident site and, upon request of the responsible authorities, shall transfer the materials thereof to the relevant authorities for further action.

10. If a substance or object of unknown origin is found on premises, the head of rescue operations shall inform the State Police of the need to restrict access to the building in which the substance or object of unknown origin was found. The State Police shall ensure that only those persons are present in the relevant zone who perform the activities referred to in this Instruction or other activities laid down in laws and regulations.

11. The head of rescue operations or an official designated by him or her shall inform the responsible authorities whose employees are present or are arriving at the incident site of the substance or object found at the incident site and any potential danger, and also of the necessary personal protective equipment required for work at the incident site.

12. The responsible authorities whose employees are present or are arriving at the incident site shall record their time of arrival, time of departure, activities carried out, and also the amount of time these persons have spent in the red zone.

13. Upon arriving at the incident site and taking measures at the incident site according to the necessity and competence of the institution, any employee shall use personal protective equipment and maintain a distance from the red zone, except for the case when rescue operations, measures for the elimination of consequences or the activities referred to in this Instruction are carried out.

14. Responsible authorities shall ensure that only those employees are in the red zone:

14.1. who have been trained in how to act at the incident site of increased danger;

14.2. who have access to special equipment appropriate to the type of danger (for example, personal protective equipment) intended for use at the incident site of increased danger.

15. If signs of a criminal offence are detected at the incident site, the State Police shall organise the cooperation and coordination of the responsible authorities for the performance of procedural actions.

16. If no signs of a criminal offence are detected at the incident site but there are suspicions of a possible administrative offence, the head of rescue operations shall transfer the relevant information to the State Environmental Service for evaluation and possible action within the framework of administrative offence proceedings, and also for the organisation of activities related to the collection and storage of the substance or object and transfer thereof for destruction.

17. If suspicions arise during the inspection of the incident site that a substance or object of unknown origin poses or may pose a threat to human life and health or damage to the property or the environment, or that the substance or object contains an explosive device, or that the substance or object of unknown origin could be radioactive, or that the substance or object of unknown origin could contain dangerous chemical substances or biological agents, the head of rescue operations or the person directing the proceeding shall call to the incident site the following, as appropriate:

17.1. the anti-terrorism unit "Omega" of the Investigation Support Department of the Central Criminal Police Department of the State Police (hereinafter - the anti-terrorism unit "Omega") in order to check whether an explosive device is contained within a substance or object of unknown origin;

17.2. the employees of the Radiation Safety Centre of the State Environmental Service (hereinafter - the Radiation Safety Centre) in order to check whether the substance or object of unknown origin is radioactive;

17.3. the relevant structural unit of the State Fire and Rescue Service in order to check whether a substance or object of unknown origin is potentially chemically hazardous. The State Fire and Rescue Service shall, as necessary, involve the State Environmental Service, officials of the National Armed Forces or other competent authorities, including in order to determine the possible group of the chemical substance at the incident site before sending it to an accredited laboratory for determining the hazard of the chemical substance;

17.4. the Unit of Emergency Anti-Epidemic Measures of the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control for the removal of a substance of unknown origin or a sample thereof in order to check whether the substance or object of unknown origin in question contains dangerous biological agents.

18. The head of rescue operations or the person directing the proceedings shall evaluate the information obtained at the incident site and indicate in the inspection report on a substance or object of unknown origin (hereinafter - the report) (Annex) if one or more of the tests referred to in Paragraph 17 of this Instruction are not necessary.

19. It shall be permitted to carry out the ionising radiation testing of a substance or object of unknown origin if the head of rescue operations or the person directing the proceedings indicates in the report that an explosion hazard testing is not necessary or if it has been established during the testing carried out by the authority referred to in Sub-paragraph 17.1 of this Instruction and indicated in the report that the relevant substance or object is not explosive.

20. It shall be permitted to carry out the chemical testing of a substance or object of unknown origin if it has been established during the testing carried out by the authorities referred to in Sub-paragraphs 17.1 and 17.2 of this Instruction and indicated in the report accordingly that the relevant substance or object is not explosive or radioactive.

21. It shall be permitted to carry out the testing to determine whether the relevant substance or object of unknown origin contains dangerous biological agents if the report indicates that the relevant substance or object is not chemically hazardous, explosive, or radioactive.

22. If necessary, the State Police shall ensure that the vehicle of the responsible authority by which a substance or object of unknown origin is transported is accompanied by a convey.

23. If necessary, the State Fire and Rescue Service shall, at the incident site, decontaminate the employees of the authorities involved and persons in the red zone who have been in contact with a substance or object of unknown origin at the incident site.

24. If there are victims at the incident site, the State Emergency Medical Service shall provide emergency medical assistance to the victims after they have been decontaminated and transported to the green zone.

25. The head of rescue operations or the person directing the proceedings shall send a copy of the report to the State Security Service for information.

III. Testing of Explosiveness of a Substance or Object of Unknown Origin and Neutralisation Thereof if It is Explosive

26. An explosive hazard testing shall only be performed if suspicions have arisen during the inspection of the incident site that an explosive device is contained in a substance or object of unknown origin.

27. Upon arrival at the incident site, the anti-terrorism unit "Omega" shall check the explosiveness of a substance or object of unknown origin. An official of the anti-terrorism unit "Omega" shall draw up a statement on the results of the testing of a substance or object of unknown origin and hand it over to the head of rescue operations or the person directing the proceedings, and he or she shall complete the relevant section of the report.

28. If it is detected during testing that an explosive device is contained in a substance or object of unknown origin, the anti-terrorism unit "Omega" shall ensure the neutralisation of the explosive device, if necessary, delivering it to a place that is secure for neutralisation.

IV. Testing of Ionising Radiation of a Substance or Object of Unknown Origin and Actions if the Substance or Object Is Radioactive

29. Upon arrival at the incident site, the employees of the Radiation Safety Centre shall check the ionising radiation of a substance or object of unknown origin and, at the incident site, inform the head of rescue operations or person directing the proceedings of the testing results.

30. If it is detected during testing that a substance or object of unknown origin has an increased ionising radiation, the employees of the Radiation Safety Centre shall perform the following activities:

30.1. inform valsts sabiedrība ar ierobežotu atbildību "Latvijas Vides, ģeoloģijas un meteoroloģijas centrs" [State limited liability company Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre] of the detected substance or object of unknown origin with an increased ionising radiation and organise the transportation of the abovementioned substance or object to the State limited liability company Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre in order to identify the substance or object of unknown origin with an increased ionising radiation and, if necessary, manage it as a radioactive waste;

30.2. ensure an initial assessment of the danger;

30.3. organise the elimination of the consequences of radioactive contamination, involving the State Fire and Rescue Service for the decontamination of contaminated persons and objects and the State limited liability company Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre for the collection of contaminated objects;

30.4. at the incident site, complete the relevant section of the report on the results of the initial testing of ionising radiation of a substance or object of unknown origin and submit it to the head of rescue operations or the person directing the proceedings.

31. The Radiation Safety Centre shall:

31.1. inform the head of rescue operations or the person directing the proceedings of the hazard of the source of ionising radiation identified at the incident site;

31.2. inform the head of rescue operations or the person directing the proceedings of the identification of the source of ionising radiation detected at the incident site after the testing carried out by the State limited liability company Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre;

31.3. if necessary, in cooperation with the head of rescue operations or the person directing the proceedings, inform the persons who have had contact with the source of ionising radiation detected at the incident site of the need to carry out medical observation at valsts sabiedrība ar ierobežotu atbildību "Paula Stradiņa klīniskā universitātes slimnīca" [State limited liability company Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital].

V. Testing of Chemical Hazard of a Substance or Object of Unknown Origin and Actions if the Substance or Object Is Chemically Hazardous

32. Involving the State Environmental Service, officials of the National Armed Forces or other competent authorities upon necessity, the officials of the relevant structural unit of the State Fire and Rescue Service shall,, upon arrival at the incident site, check the possible chemical hazard of a substance or object of unknown origin and, at the incident site, inform the head of rescue operations or the person directing the proceedings of the results of the initial testing, completing the relevant section of the report.

33. If it is detected during the initial testing that a substance of unknown origin is chemically hazardous and causes or may cause harm to the environment or people and emergency operations have been completed, the head of rescue operations shall inform the State Environmental Service thereof. The State Environmental Service shall organise:

33.1. the collection of a substance or object of unknown origin and its transfer for storage or destruction, involving, as necessary, the State limited liability company Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre for the disposal of hazardous waste or other legal persons for the collection and transportation of hazardous waste;

33.2. emergency measures to prevent environmental damage and adverse effects on human health, if necessary.

VI. Actions if There are Suspicions of Presence of a Biological Agent in a Substance or Object of Unknown Origin

34. If there are suspicions of the presence of a biological agent in a substance or object of unknown origin that has been found or in the environment, the Unit of Emergency Anti-Epidemic Measures of the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control shall take the following actions:

34.1. initiate an epidemiological investigation, collect information on the persons who have been in contact with a substance or object of unknown origin, and provide recommendations on preventive measures;

34.2. inspect the incident site and any substance or object of unknown origin;

34.3. obtain a sample of a substance or object of unknown origin for laboratory testing and place it in a special container;

34.4. perform the initial disinfection of the environment, room, and objects that were in contact with a substance or object of unknown origin;

34.5. make an entry in the relevant section of the report on the initial results of the inspection of the incident site and further actions;

34.6. organise the laboratory testing of a substance or object (sample) of unknown origin at the Laboratory of Biosafety Level 3 of the National Microbiology Reference Laboratory (hereinafter - the National Microbiology Reference Laboratory) of sabiedrība ar ierobežotu atbildību "Rīgas Austrumu klīniskā universitātes slimnīca" [limited liability company Riga East University Hospital] in order to identify the potentially dangerous biological agent.

35. If possible, the State Police shall mark off those premises and objects that have come into contact with a substance or object of unknown origin, and also prevent people and animals from coming into contact with the potentially contaminated environment until a negative laboratory test result is received or until the final disinfection is performed if the laboratory test result has confirmed the presence of a dangerous biological agent.

36. Upon receipt of information on the test result of a sample, the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control shall immediately inform:

36.1. the head of rescue operations or the person directing the proceedings, and he or she shall inform other institutions involved in the management of the relevant incident as necessary;

36.2. the State Emergency Medical Service;

36.3. the Ministry of Health.

37. If no dangerous biological agents are identified in the submitted sample, the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control shall organise the disposal of the sample at the National Microbiology Reference Laboratory or its transfer to the person directing the proceedings for the performance of criminal procedural actions.

38. If a dangerous biological agent is identified in the submitted sample, the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control shall:

38.1. organise the identification, informing, and medical observation of contact persons;

38.2. inform the Food and Veterinary Service if environmental contamination poses a risk to animals or food contamination has occurred;

38.3. inform the Health Inspectorate if environmental contamination is related to the pollution of drinking or bathing water and also affects the activities of a high-risk entity, causing a risk to human health;

38.4. report it on the Early Warning and Response System (EWRS) if the situation meets the notification criteria;

38.5. organise a complete final disinfection of rooms and objects.

VII. Actions if Indications of Terrorist Attack Using Explosive, Radioactive, or Dangerous Chemical Substances or Biological Agents are Detected

39. If, following the initially performed testing at the incident site, substantiated suspicions arise of an already occurred terrorist attack or a potential one in which an explosive object, radioactive or dangerous chemical substance or biological agent has been used, the person directing the proceedings shall, without delay, inform the State Security Service thereof.

40. Upon receipt of the information referred to in Paragraph 39 of this Instruction from the State Police, the State Security Service shall arrive at the incident site and perform the following activities:

40.1. take over the duties of the person directing the proceedings;

40.2. lead anti-terrorism measures and coordinate the authorities involved therein;

40.3. provide recommendations regarding actions to other authorities involved in the elimination of consequences.

VIII. Closing Provision

41. Cabinet Instruction No. 12 of 5 August 2008, Instruction Regarding Actions of Responsible Institutions in the Event of Finding a Substance or Object of Unknown Origin if It is Suspected that It Contains Explosive, Radioactive, Dangerous Chemical or Biological Substances, as well as if Indications of Terrorist Attack are Detected (Latvijas Vēstnesis, 2008, No. 138), is repealed.

Prime Minister E. Siliņa

Minister for the Interior R. Kozlovskis

 

Annex
Cabinet Instruction No. 4
10 June 2025

Inspection Report on Substance or Object of Unknown Origin

Place

Date

1. Incident

Incident
Provider of the initial information (given name, surname, contact information)
Recipient of the initial information and time of receipt of the information
Criminal proceedings have been initiated	yes no If yes, criminal proceedings No. _____________
Administrative offence proceedings have been initiated	yes no If yes, administrative proceedings No. _____________
Inspection commenced (time)
Number of packages
Type of packaging(-s)	opened closed (mark as appropriate) Material/shape/size (specify) ______________________ __________________________________________________
Type of substance (physical state)
Characteristics of the substance (odour, colour, reactions)
Amount of substance (volume/weight)
Circumstances that make it difficult to manage the event and/or inspect the substance (if any)
Conditions that promote the reaction of the substance (if any)
Inspection report prepared by (official's given name, surname, position)
Persons present (indicate all the persons present who participate in the inspection of the incident site)

2. Testing carried out at the incident site

(mark/fill in as appropriate)

2.1. Explosion hazard

Testing is required	yes no
Explosion hazard has been identified	yes no
Object sent for destruction	yes no If yes, delivered to ____________________________
Explosion hazard has been neutralised	yes no
Explosion hazard testing statement No.
Notes:	Official of the anti-terrorism unit "Omega" __________________________ (individual No.)

2.2. Ionising radiation

Testing is required	yes no
Increased level of ionising radiation has been identified	yes no
Radioactive contamination of surfaces has been identified	yes no
Indicatively identified radionuclide
The material was packaged, sealed with a security label No. ___________ and transferred to the State limited liability company Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre (LEGMC) for further testing and for delivery to the radioactive waste storage facility "Radons". The material was removed by an official of the Radiation Safety Centre of the State Environmental Service (RSC SES) ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ (given name, surname, position, contact details)	Contact person of the LEGMC ______________________________________ (given name, surname, phone number)
Notes:	Official of the RSC SES ________________________________ (signature)

2.3. Chemical substances

Testing is required	yes no
Unknown chemicals have been identified	yes no
Possible substance(s) (substance group)
The substance/substance samples were packaged, sealed with a security label No. ____________ and transferred to the chemical research laboratory for further research. Removed by ____________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________ (given name, surname, position, contact details)	Contact person of the chemical research laboratory ___________________________________ (given name, surname, phone number)
The residue of the substance was delivered to
Notes:	_________________________________ (signature)

2.4. Biological agents

Testing is required	yes no
The presence of a biological agent is suspected	yes no
The substance was packaged, sealed with a security label No. ____________ and transferred to the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (CDPC) for further testing and for delivery to the National Microbiology Reference Laboratory of the limited liability company Riga East University Hospital. Removed by ___________________________ __________________________________________ (given name, surname, position, contact details)	Contact person of the CDPC ______________________________ (given name, surname, phone number)
Notes:	_______________________________ (signature)

Inspection completed (time)
Inspection report prepared by	________________________________________ (signature)

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Translation © 2026 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre)