Fissile Package Design Basis: Regulations or Analysis?

Designing a package for fissile material and getting it approved for international transport is a difficult and lengthy process. Different interpretations of what is required and credible make the process longer and even unpredictable. Regulations refer to the IAEA version (IAEA l990a). Fissile material has a wider meaning than in the Regulations. Consideration must be given to issues such as functionality, economy, safety, compliance with regulations, manufacturing, quality assurance, maintenance, incident recovery, use of natural resources, public opinion, politics and personal relations. The paper concentrates on nuclear criticality safety.