Overview

European Nuclear Energy Forum

Public consultations

Nuclear Safety

European Governance in nuclear issues

Radioactive Waste

Decommissioning of Nuclear Installations

Radiation Protection

Transport of Radioactive Material

Nuclear Safeguards

EURATOM Supply Agency

Publications and Reports

Legislation

The Transport of Radioactive Material

|Overview

|Transport of radioactive materials - problems of safety, health protection and nuclear safety technologies

|Projects funded by the European Commission and associated reports

|Other documentation

|Database of EU legislation related to transport of radioactive material

Overview

(1) Radioactive materials of natural or artificial origin are in widespread use in developed societies all over the world. They are used in medicine, research, industrial manufacturing, agriculture, electric power generation and in other applications that assist our daily lives. The handling, use and management of radioactive material (RAM) including their transport gives rise to potential radiological (and non-radiological) hazards. For the establishment of an adequate level of safety and protection of people, property and the environment the resultant risks must be constrained below acceptable levels.

The existing suite of regulatory instruments and regulations governing protection and safety in transport of radioactive material is partially hierarchically structured and is essentially formed by a regulatory framework comprising (a) the IAEA Transport Regulations including the UN Model Regulations (b) the Modal Agreements of the regional and international transport organisations (International Modal Regulations), (c) a range of EU Directives and Regulations, and (d) a variety of international conventions, codes and agreements.

(2) The ultimate policy objective of the creation of the European Single Market on 1 January 1993 was the establishment of a Europe with existing fiscal, physical and technical barriers being dismantled and competition and the free movement of goods, labour and services being facilitated, while ensuring and maintaining adequate standards of safety and protection.

In pursuing this policy emphasis has been placed on seeking harmonisation in legal instruments of EU Members States, on the basis of already existing international standards, conventions and agreements.

(3) In respect of land transport of hazardous materials (i.e. by road and rail), the alignment of the EU Member States legally binding domestic legislation with the internationally recognised road and rail transport agreements, ADR (European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods par Road) and RID (International Regulations concerning the Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail) respectively, through the adoption of the Council Directive 94/55/EC and Council Directive 96/49/EC and their related amendments represents a milestone in the achievement of harmonisation in the applicable safety standards and criteria for all classes of hazardous materials.

These Council Directives and their amendments are complemented by a number of legal instruments and associated EU legislation concerning on transport safety issues of particular concern to the European Union (EU) and its Member States.

Other legal instruments, though not binding on Member States play an important role in defining EU policy and practices. The applicable Directives and Regulations establish certain duties and obligations on EU Member States and transport operators.