Transport of radioactive materials

Nowadays, the availability of widely used products depends on the reliable transport of radioactive materials from the producer to the end user. Every day, thousands of consignments of radioactive materials are transported around the world. In the European Union, shipments of radioactive materials account for 1 per cent of all dangerous goods transported on a daily basis. The vast majority of these shipments involve materials with relatively low levels of radioactivity, whilst shipments of irradiated nuclear fuel also take place.

Safety during the transport of radioactive materials is a top priority. The joint efforts of producers, those involved in the transport chain, end-users and the relevant regulatory and supervisory authorities have resulted in an exemplary safety record spanning more than 50 years. Opportunities for optimisation are examined on an ongoing basis.

Containers for the transport of radioactive materials are designed and approved in accordance with international standards and requirements, corresponding to the radioactive material permitted to be packed in them, so as to ensure the protection of the public, workers and the environment.

All these containers are tested for their durability under normal transport conditions. Furthermore, containers intended for the transport of highly radioactive materials are designed and tested for their resistance to severe accidents, e.g. impact testing involving dropping onto a target from a height of up to 9 metres; the contents, shielding and fire resistance must remain intact after multiple drops.

Conventional hazards encountered in all freight transport, such as the falling of forks from a forklift, are common occurrences during the transport of radioactive materials. However, accidents may occur. Given their design, it is extremely rare for the integrity of a container transporting highly radioactive materials to be compromised.

In the event of an accident, emergency response procedures are implemented, even as a precautionary measure. These procedures are well-documented, and the competent authorities and relevant organisations have trained and qualified staff.

Conditions/requirements governing the transport of radioactive materials

The conditions/requirements governing the transport of radioactive materials are set out in the relevant regulations at international, European and national levels. The International Atomic Energy Agency first issued regulations on the safe transport of radioactive materials in 1961.

Since then, they have been updated at regular intervals and form the basis for ‘Class 7: radioactive materials’ the basis for international regulations on the transport of dangerous goods, issued by other United Nations organisations (International Maritime Organisation, International Civil Aviation Organisation). Examples include:
– maritime transport (IMDG Code)
– air transport (Technical Instructions)
– road transport (ADR)
– rail transport (RID)
– inland waterway transport (ADN).

In Greece, the transport of radioactive materials by road is governed by the Radiation Protection Regulation (Presidential Decree 101/2018 and Ministerial Decision 45872/26 March 2019, as amended by Joint Ministerial Decision 32083/2022), which is consistent with and supplements, but does not replace, the aforementioned international regulations and is subject to the provisions of the international and EU framework. In accordance with Presidential Decree 101/2018, the transport of all types of radioactive materials is subject to regulatory control for the purposes of radiation protection. To this end, practices relating to the transport of radioactive materials are subject to either notification, registration or authorisation.

The European Association of Competent Authorities for the Transport of Radioactive Materials (European Association of Competent Authorities) is the first network to have been established and has been operating successfully for several years now. Since the end of 2013, the Mediterranean Network for the Transport of Radioactive Materials (Mediterranean Network) has also been in operation. The EEAE participates in the work of both networks.

Notification and authorisation of transport organisations

The transport of radioactive materials by road is subject to regulatory control by the EEAE. Depending on the specific circumstances, the organisations concerned are required to follow the notification or authorisation procedure (registration, licensing).