A system for self-decontaminating a surface of an object is disclosed herein. The system includes a light emitting member and photocatalytic material which can be mounted on or within the object to be decontaminated. Activation of the system releases an oxidizing agent effective in deactivating chemically or biologically active agents at or near the surface. The system is robust, non-destructive, can be activated on demand, and does not require regeneration or expose a user to harmful materials such as UV irradiation. Also disclosed are objects containing the system, methods for self-decontaminating objects using the system, and methods for fabricating self-decontaminating surfaces on an object.