ISO International Standards and the transport of radioactive material

ISO International Standards provide guidance and promote best practice for tackling many of today’s global challenges. They strive to provide assurance that products and services are safe, reliable and of good quality. Such standards can have positive effects, not only on engineers and manufacturers, but also on society as a whole. The paper outlines the areas in which the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is contributing to the packaging and transport of radioactive material. ISO has published standards and guidance which are dedicated to the transport of radioactive materials (e.g. packaging of uranium hexafluoride and leakage testing). These standards are developed within the ISO framework, by ISO/TC 85, the Technical Committee whose scope includes the production of standards pertaining to “nuclear energy, nuclear technologies, and radiological protection”. Other ISO standards, although not explicitly dedicated to the transport of radioactive material are relevant in this field (such as standards for freight containers, quality management, materials). The paper focuses on the series of standards applying particularly to the packaging and transport of radioactive material: the most recent developments and the status of these standards are provided. The paper also emphasizes the need for maintaining and developing the portfolio of ISO International Standards. The opportunity for and process of “upgrading” guidelines developed by industry organization, such as the World Nuclear Transport Institute (WNTI), or national standards to ISO International Standard status is explained.