Physical protection aspects

The possible use of nuclear material for non-peaceful purposes underlines the need for its special protection: effective systems are therefore required to protect nuclear material and facilities from theft, sabotage and unauthorised removal. The responsibility clearly rests with governments for ensuring that such systems are properly established and operated.

The IAEA and its Member States and in the European Union, EURATOM, give specific attention to activities against illicit trafficking and illegal use.

The physical protection regulations distinguish three different categories of nuclear materials associated with specific measures from the most stringent ones to the less demanding.

Because of their nature (extremely low amount of fissile materials conditioned in such a way that they are neither recoverable nor reusable), vitrified residues are not classified in the category requiring stringent measures.

The basic guidelines for physical protection systems have been developed by the IAEA (INFCIRC / 225 / Rev. 3, Recommendations for the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material). First published in 1972, the guidelines have been revised a number of times since then. They cover physical protection for nuclear material in use, storage, and transport, both domestically and internationally. They have proven to be of significant importance in the development of international agreements and national requirements. For nuclear material in international transport, the responsibility for implementing effective physical protection systems rests with the shipping and receiving States.

INFCIRC / 225 / Rev.3 sets an objective for States to establish conditions which would minimise the possibilities for unauthorised removal of nuclear material or for sabotage and requires that appropriate measures, consistent with national requirements, should be taken to protect the confidentiality of information relating to transport operations, including detailed information on the schedule and route.

The Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material which entered into force in 1987 obligates States Parties to implement specific protection measures for nuclear material in international transport and establishes a framework for international co-operation in the field of physical protection.

The Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material obligates parties to make specific arrangements and meet defined standards of physical protection for international shipments of nuclear material.

PNTL complies with the requirements laid down in the Convention and in INFCIRC / 225 / Rev.3, acts on security requirements issued by the UK Government and takes the appropriate physical protection measures necessary to be able to deal with the risk of theft, robbery or any other unlawful taking of nuclear material.

Release: December 1998