IN TRANSIT STORAGE OF RADIOACTIVE AND NUCLEAR MATERIAL UNDER CUSTOMS CONTROL AS A MEASURE TO PREVENT ILLICT TRAFFIC

The paper describes a model of an “in transit warehouse of radioactive materials under customs control”, considering the relevant Customs Legislation and the Nuclear Regulatory Standards issued by the Nuclear Regulatory Authority (ARN) of Argentina. In order to reach those standards, the ARN evaluates the Physical Protection System of relevant installations using appropriate software. This evaluation is made through a graphic installation model showing, among others, information about distribution of different areas; delay and detection elements, intruders access manners and security force response time. Although the obligation and responsibility to establish a “comprehensive physical protection structure” fall entirely in each State, a matter that awaken the international community concerns refers to the suddenly events of “illicit trafficking of nuclear materials. To prevent these events, international co-operation in those situations that involve the in-border nuclear and radioactive materials movements is particularly important. Also, the applications of adequate physical protection measures and customs control in each State are of particular relevance. The ARN considers that the adequacy of such measures in custom administration warehouses contributes to minimise the probability of illicit trafficking events. Moreover, a fluent interaction with International Organisations engaged in the field of physical and illicit trafficking of nuclear and radioactive materials, no doubt, will also contribute to reduce the probability of occurrence of these events. Finally, the paper describes the experience obtained in implementing a model custom warehouse that stores nuclear materials; the control activities performed by the ARN and the requirements and features that such warehouses must observe to comply with the regulations in force in Argentina.