Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive

Sources

Day 8 – Lecture 6

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Development of the Code

1999: Action Plan on the Safety of Radiation Sources and Security of Radioactive Materials approved by BoG

Meetings of technical & legal experts (1999-2000)

2000: Code of Conduct on the Safety & Security ofRadioactive Sources

Text of Code ‘noted’ by BoG but some issues unresolved:national registries for radioactive sourcesobligations of States exporting radioactive sources the need for unilateral declarations

Buenos Aires Conference express support for the Code

1998: Dijon Conference on the Safety of Radiation Sources and Security of Radioactive Materials

Mention of an international undertaking

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Revision of the Code

2002 (August): Technical Meeting to review effectiveness of Code Security measures strengthened, after Sept 11, 2001 New requirements agreed relating to:

confidentiality of information relating to security of sources export of sources establishment of national registers

No consensus on whether the status of the Code should be enhanced Revised Categorization of Sources needed Some new issues raised in Chairman’s report that was provided to Board of

Governors with draft revised Code.

2002: Effectiveness of Code reviewed Questionnaire sent to Member States – replies used as input to

August TM

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2003 March 3-7: Meeting of Technical & Legal Experts: Issues arising from Chairman’s report: Scope of the Code needs further consideration

how broad adherence to the Code might be encouraged, and how the status of the Code might be enhanced;

should the Code include provisions relating to: post-incident scenarios (e.g: emergency response and mitigation of

consequences); recycling or re-use of sources; encouraging manufacturers to take sources back.

are further details needed relating to the export of sources (e.g: verification of the validity of authorizations and translation of authorizations

Revision of the Code

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2003 March 10-13 : International Conference on Security of Radioactive Sources

Findings of March meeting to be presented by the Chairman to the conference

2003 July Categorization of Radioactive Sources published (RS-G 1.9) Technical meeting reaches consensus on text of revised Code

2003 September BoG & GC approve text of revised Code &

call for political support Resolution GC

Revision of the Code

2004 January Revised Code published

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OBJECTIVES

1. to achieve and maintain a high level of safety and security

2. to prevent loss of control

& malicious use

3. to mitigate or minimize the radiological consequences of any accident or malicious act

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Code of Conduct and Import/ Export Guidance

• Set of Principles, Objectives and Guidance to ensure Safety and Security of sources

• Focuses on high activity sources (categorization safety guide RS-G 1.9)

• Approved by the Board and the General Conference in 2003 & 2004

• NOT part of the Safety Standards or Nuclear Security Guidelines

• Main target audience: Governments and Regulatory Bodies

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IAEA Categorization

Category Practice Activity Ratio A/D

1 RTG’s; Irradiators; Teletherapy; Gamma Knife

A/D>1000

2 Gamma radiographyBrachytherapy(HDR/MDR)

1000>A/D>10

3 High activity industrial gauges(e.g.: level, dredger, conveyor gauges)

Well logging

10>A/D>1

4 Brachytherapy (LDR except eye plaques & perm implants)

Low activity gauges; Static eliminators; Bone densitometers

1>A/D>0.01

5 Brachytherapy (eye pl. & perm

implants); XRF; ECD0.01>A/D>Exempt/D

I nc r

eas i

ng

Ris

k

A = source activity; D = radionuclide-specific “dangerous” activity

Note: Categorization of sources are discussed in detail in another lecture

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• High risk sources (Category 1 – 3 sources)*

• Not applicable to:

• nuclear material;

• sources within military or defence programmes.

Scope of the Code

* Categorization of Sources are discussed in a separate lecture

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Based on existing International Safety Standards,

And used as a reference for the nuclear security guidelines

Provides guidance on:

Legislation Regulations Regulatory body Import/export controls

Contents

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Contents

States should have:

Effective national legislation, regulations and a regulatory body paragraphs 7–22 of the Code; complementary to existing safety standards,

National register of sourcesSource categorizationNational strategy for disused sourcesOrphan sources,Source labelling,Cradle to grave managementDomestic threat

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Contents

States should have:

Effective national legislation, regulations and a regulatory body paragraphs 7–22 of the Code; complementary to existing safety standards

and

Effective import/export controls paragraphs 23 to 29 of the Code + supplementary Guidance

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Import/Export Guidance

2004 Feb & July: Guidance for the import and export of radioactive sources in accordance with the Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources – developed at 2 TM’s

2004 September BoG & GC approve text of Guidance & call

for political support

2005 March Guidance published

2011 September Revised Guidance approved, and published in

May 2012

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Guidance on the Import and Export of Radioactive Sources

Scope: Category 1-2 sourcesImport/export authorization based on evaluation of capabilities

and authorization• Cat. 1 sources: consent of importing State+ notification prior

to shipment

• Cat. 2 sources: notification prior to shipment

• Exceptional circumstances (e.g. considerable medical need, imminent radiological hazard or security threat): consent of importing State

• Exporting State should always assess the capabilities of the Importing State to ensure the safety and security of the source

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In September 2003, GC urged each State to write to the Director General that:

• it fully supports and endorses the Agency's efforts to enhance the safety and security of radioactive sources; and

• It is working toward following the guidance contained in the Code and encourages other countries to do the same.(GC47/Res7)

State Political Commitment to the Code

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Made a commitment

State Political Commitment to the Code

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State Political Commitment to the Guidance

In September 2004, GC welcomed the approval by the Board and encouraged States to act in accordance with the Guidance on a harmonized basis, and

• to notify the Director General of their intention to do so as supplementary

information to the Code of Conduct(GC48/Res/10D)

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State Political Commitment to the Guidance

Made a commitment

125 States have designated a point of contact63 States have filled in the Questionnaire

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Support for the Code of Conduct

G8

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Implementation of the Code

3 forms available to facilitate implementation of the guidance and exchange of information between exporting and importing states:

•Request to the importing state for consent to import category 1 radioactive sources or to import Category 1 and 2 sources under exceptional circumstances;

•Request to the importing State for confirmation that the recipient is authorized to receive and possess Category 2 radioactive sources; and

•Notification to the importing state prior to shipment of Category 1 or 2 radioactive sources

International Atomic Energy Agency

Dedicated Web page on www.IAEA.org:http://www-ns.iaea.org/tech-areas/radiation-safety/code-of-conduct.asp?s=3&l=22

List of points of contactForms to facilitate the exchange of information

between exporting and importing countriesSelf Assessment Questionnaires

Implementation of the Code

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Implementation of the Code

IAEA assistance programme for States to establish/ strengthen their national regulatory infrastructure for the control of radioactive source:

• Legislative assistance from the Office of Legal Affairs

• Support for drafting regulations

• Training courses, fellowships, tools for staff of regulatory bodies

• Development of the Regulatory Authority Information System, RAIS.

• Advisory and Appraisal missions to check compliance with IAEA Standards and the Code

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• Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources, IAEA, Vienna (2004).

• Guidance on the Import and Export of Radioactive Sources IAEA, Vienna (2012).

• Categorization of Radioactive Sources, Safety Guide RS-G-1.9, IAEA, Vienna (2005).

References