Fostering Member State Implementation of the IAEA’s Transport Regulations

Man has been using radioactive materials for more than a century in ever-increasing numbers and types of applications, making them indispensable in modern life. Their use is not limited to energy production and the health and medical field, but also includes widespread applications in food production and processing, water resources management, industry, and research for education and analytical purposes. Typically, radioisotopic sources are prepared in one location, and transported by a combination of air and/or surface modes to the place or facility where they will actually be used. Because transport occurs in the public domain, it was early on recognized that safety requirements are needed during transport to ensure the protection of the public, as well as that of property and the environment, from the potential harmful effects of exposure to ionising radiation from radioisotopic sources. Based on a 1959 mandate from the United Nations Economic and Social Council, international safety requirements are embodied in the “Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material” that were first published by the International Atomic Energy Agency in 1961 and revised in 1967, 1973, 1985 and 1996 to keep them abreast of scientific and technical developments. The requirements are incorporated into the regulatory documents of the International Civil Aviation Organization for air transport, and the International Maritime Organization for marine transport. As the requirements of the latter documents are legally-binding for the member states of the corresponding organizations, the IAEA safety requirements thus also become mandatory in those countries. The same situation applies for the surface modes in Europe, by means of the regulatory documents of the European Community for rail, road and inland waterways.