Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources Day 8 – Lecture 6

IAEA 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 ( ) 2000: Code of Conduct on the Safety & Security of Radioactive Sources  Text of Code ‘noted’ by BoG but some issues unresolved:  national registries for radioactive sources  obligations 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 2

IAEA 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 3

IAEA 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 4

IAEA 2003 March : 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 5

IAEA 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 6

IAEA 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 7

IAEA IAEA Categorization CategoryPracticeActivity Ratio A/D 1 RTG’s; Irradiators; Teletherapy; Gamma Knife A/D> Gamma radiography Brachytherapy (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> Brachytherapy (eye pl. & perm implants); XRF; ECD 0.01>A/D>Exempt/D Increasing Risk A = source activity; D = radionuclide-specific “dangerous” activity Note: Categorization of sources are discussed in detail in another lecture 8

IAEA 9 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

IAEA 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 10

IAEA 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 sources Source categorization National strategy for disused sources Orphan sources, Source labelling, Cradle to grave management Domestic threat 11

IAEA Contents States should have: Effective import/export controls paragraphs 23 to 29 of the Code + supplementary Guidance 12

IAEA 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

IAEA Guidance on the Import and Export of Radioactive Sources Scope: Category 1-2 sources Import/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 14

IAEA 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 15

IAEA Made a commitment State Political Commitment to the Code 16

IAEA 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) 17

IAEA State Political Commitment to the Guidance Made a commitment 125 States have designated a point of contact 63 States have filled in the Questionnaire 18

IAEA Support for the Code of Conduct G8 19

IAEA 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 20

International Atomic Energy Agency  Dedicated Web page on conduct.asp?s=3&l=22 List of points of contact Forms to facilitate the exchange of information between exporting and importing countries Self Assessment Questionnaires Implementation of the Code 21

IAEA 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 22

IAEA 23 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