DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PHYSICAL PROTECTION OF SPECIAL NUCLEAR MATERIAL

Physical protection of special nuclear material in the Department of Energy (DOE) is required and provided to achieve two major objectives. These are the protection of the health and safety of the public and the protection of the DOE's national security interests. DOE approaches the setting of requirements by characterizing the threat to special nuclear material and then developing and implementing standards and requirements which leave sufficient flexibility to account for the varied environments found in the DOE field complex. Those requirements must change as both the threat and the ability to counter the threat change with time. Assurance that the requirements are effective is provided through a mix of safeguards elements comprised of people, procedures, and equipment as well as through institutional oversight.