Year
1992
File Attachment
1217.PDF1.95 MB
Abstract
The International Atomic Energy Agency's Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material (IAEA, Safety Series No. 6, 1990) recently celebrated their 30th anniversary. They continue to serve as the regulatory basis for both international and domestic transport in most of the IAEA's Member States. In the 30 years of their existence 5 comprehensive revisions were published to keep the RegulatiollS abreast of major scientific and/or technological developments. Comprehensive revision has evolved into a formal process involving a 10-year cycle, the current one culminating in a new edition in 1996. Traditionally the Regulations are designed to ensure protection from the effects of the ionizing radiation emitted by the radioactive contents of a package during transport. The underlying philosophy is that reliance is placed principally on the design of the package itself, a philosophy also adhered to in the transport of other dangerous goods. Further, the consignor as the person or the organization having specific knowledge of the materials being offered for transport should as far as possible be responsible for ensuring that regulatory requirements are met. Also consistent with the transport of other dangerous goods is the principle of multimodality, which aims at the suitability of packages for moving materials by all modes of transport in a safe, practical, cost-effective and expedient way.