Implementation of the Nuclear Export and Import Provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its regulations that govern the export and import of nuclear equipment and material to implement provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 signed into law on August 8, 2005. This amendment will facilitate exports to specified countries of high-enriched uranium for medical isotope production in reactors that are either utilizing low-enriched uranium (LEU) fuel or have agreed to convert to the use of LEU fuel. In addition, this final rule revises the definition of byproduct material to include discrete sources of radium-226, accelerator-produced radioactive material, and discrete sources of naturally occurring radioactive material. Finally, the rule will require specific licenses for exports and imports of radium-226 that meet the threshold values of the International Atomic Energy Agency's Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources.