Export and Import of Radioactive Materials: Security Policies

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its regulations pertaining to the export and import of radioactive materials. The amendments implement recent changes to the nuclear and radioactive material security policies of both the Commission and the Executive Branch. The final rule takes into account provisions in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources (Code of Conduct) concerning the import and export of radioactive sources, and the supplemental IAEA Guidance on the Import and Export of Radioactive Sources (Guidance document) on internationally harmonized guidance for the import and export of radioactive sources. The amendments provide for enhanced tracking of certain exports and imports of radioactive sealed sources and bulk material for certain radionuclides. The amended regulation includes new specific export and import license requirements, advance notification procedures prior to shipment, verification of the recipient facility's licensing status, and review of the adequacy of the receiving country's controls on radioactive sources. The amendments apply to a small number of radioactive materials when exported or imported in amounts exceeding clearly defined International System (SI) limits. The amended regulation provides the Commission with flexibility to treat each export and import license application on a case-by-case basis, with the ability to accommodate the still evolving domestic and international security measures for radioactive material.