The United States and the European Commission Issued a Joint Statement on Strengthening the Security of Radioactive Sources

Last week, at the IAEA International Nuclear Security Conference, leaders of the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and the European Commission issued a joint statement on strengthening the security of radiation sources (RS).

The joint statement emphasizes the need to strengthen security to prevent the use of radioactive materials in terrorist acts and is based on existing U.S. and European Union programs aimed at strengthening the capacity of national and international partners to secure radioactive sources during use, storage and transportation.

It supports the U.S. National Security Memorandum No. 19 on Countering Terrorism Related to Weapons of Mass Destruction and Enhancing the Security of Nuclear and Radioactive Materials, and is consistent with the principles set forth in the IAEA Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources, the Additional Guidance on the Import and Export of Radioactive Sources and the Management of Spent Radioactive Sources, and the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism.

Hospitals, research laboratories, and industrial facilities that use radioactive materials are open civilian facilities and can be vulnerable to attackers trying to obtain radioactive sources for use in radiological dispersal devices or dirty bombs. These facilities require an effective response from local law enforcement agencies in the event of an attempted theft of radioactive materials. The Joint Statement also emphasizes the need for careful planning of response procedures in close coordination and cooperation with law enforcement authorities.

NNSA’s Office of Radiation Safety and the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs will continue to cooperate in organizing regional radiation safety exercises after the successful first event in Iași, Romania, last fall. The next exercise will be held in Warsaw with the participation of observers from neighboring countries in December this year.

According to the National Nuclear Safety Administration