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Pillar 2

Action 43

The Conference urges all States parties to implement the principles of the revised IAEA Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources, as well as the Guidance on the Import and Export of Radioactive Sources approved by the IAEA Board of Governors in 2004.

China

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What has the NWS done so far (prior to the current Review Cycle 2022–2026)?

China has supported the IAEA Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources and informed the IAEA Director General that it was amending domestic regulations and drafting measures on radioactive-source safety and accident management in accordance with the requirements and principles of the Code. China established a regulatory system under which entities producing, selling or using radioisotopes and radiation-emitting devices must obtain radiation safety licences, and transfers, imports and exports of radioisotopes, including radioactive sources and unsealed radioactive materials, require prior approval and registration. China has also notified the IAEA of its political commitment to follow the Code of Conduct and the Guidance on the Import and Export of Radioactive Sources, and has nominated a point of contact to facilitate imports and exports of radioactive sources.

What is the NWS doing on this action in the current Review Cycle 2022–2026?

China has continued to report support for radioactive-source safety and security. In its 2026 NPT national report, China stated that it attaches great importance to the safety of radioactive sources and is committed to the IAEA Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources. China’s current regulatory framework continues to require radiation safety licensing for production, sale and use of radioisotopes and radiation-emitting devices, and prior approval and registration for the transfer, import and export of radioactive sources and unsealed radioactive materials.

Sources

Implementation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Report submitted by the People's Republic of China, May 17, 2005

Implementation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons–Report submitted by the People’s Republic of China, NPT/CONF.2015/32, 17 April 2015

Implementation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons in the People’s Republic of China, NPT/CONF.2020/41, 28 January 2022

Implementation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons in the People’s Republic of China, NPT/CONF.2026/33, 17 April 2026

France

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What has the NWS done so far (prior to the current Review Cycle 2022–2026)?

France has committed to implement the Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources and the two supplementary guidance documents, on the import and export of radioactive sources, and on the management of disused radioactive sources, respectively. A new decree came into force on 1 January 2020 to strengthen measures for protecting sources of ionizing radiation and batches of radioactive sources from malicious acts. The decree is consistent with the recommendations of IAEA, in particular.

What is the NWS doing on this action in the current Review Cycle 2022–2026?

France is still committed to implement the Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources and the two supplementary guidance documents, on the import and export of radioactive sources, and on the management of disused radioactive sources, respectively.

Sources

National Report submitted by France. Report submitted by France under actions 5, 20 and 21 of the Final Document of the 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (2022–2026). NPT/CONF.2026/PC.III/2. 7 March 2025, https://docs.un.org/en/NPT/CONF.2026/PC.III/2

Russia

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What has the NWS done so far (prior to the current Review Cycle 2022–2026)?

Russia has made a political commitment to implement Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources and its supplementary Guidance on the Import and Export of Radioactive Sources. Russia has further nominated a Point of Contact for the purpose of facilitating the export and/or import of radioactive sources.

Russia further reported that it has promulgated relevant radiation protection laws and regulations, designated and empowering a regulatory body that establishes regulations and issues guidance relating to the safety and security of radioactive sources, established a national register of radioactive sources and a system for the notification, authorization and control of radioactive sources.

What is the NWS doing on this action in the current Review Cycle 2022–2026?

Russia has not communicated on further implementation of this action in the current review cycle.

Sources

International Atomic Energy Agency. The Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources. Status list of countries. 26 August 2025.

https://nucleus.iaea.org/sites/ns/code-of-conduct-radioactive-sources/Documents/Status_list%2026%20August%202025.pdf

State Self-Assessment Questionnaire submitted by Russia, 20 October 2005

https://nucleus.iaea.org/sites/orpnet/resources/Shared%20Documents/Russian%20Federation.pdf

United Kingdom

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What has the NWS done so far (prior to the current Review Cycle 2022–2026)?

The Export of Radioactive Sources (Control) Order 2006 controls the export of certain high-activity radioactive sources as defined under the IAEA Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources. It was introduced as part of the UK government’s international commitment to minimise the risk of radioactive sources falling into the hands of terrorists or criminal groups, and establishes a licensing requirement for Category 1 and Category 2 radioactive sources.

The UK policy framework for managing radioactive substances and nuclear decommissioning was published in May 2024 and confirmed the UK’s written political commitment to the IAEA Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources and to the Guidance on the Management of Disused Radioactive Sources, and states that the UK follows the principles set out in the IAEA Guidance on the Import and Export of Radioactive Sources.

What is the NWS doing on this action in the current Review Cycle 2022–2026?

The United Kingdom has made a written political commitment with respect to the Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources and with respect to the Guidance on the Management of Disused Radioactive Sources. The UK states that it follows the principles set out in the IAEA Guidance on the Import and Export of Radioactive Sources.

The UK implements the Code through the following legislation: the Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR) (England and Wales); Radioactive Substances Act framework (Scotland) and Nuclear Industries Security Regulations (NISR).

The IAEA Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) follow-up mission in January 2024 observed that while the UK government had implemented the objectives of the Guidance on the Management of Disused Radioactive Sources in practice, it had not yet formally notified the IAEA of its commitment to this Guidance. The mission noted that after conducting an internal consultation to confirm this would not create any additional constraints, the UK had not yet completed the formal notification process.

Sources

Department for Business and Trade (2025). Controls on radioactive sources. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/controls-on-radioactive-sources

Department of Trade and Industry (2006). Explanatory Memorandum to the Export of Radioactive Sources (Control) Order 2006. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2006/1846/pdfs/uksiem_20061846_en.pdf.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (2024). Managing radioactive substances and nuclear decommissioning: UK policy framework. May. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6632371769098ded31fca7c1/managing-radioactive-substances-and-nuclear-decommissioning-uk-policy-framework.pdf

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (2026). National report of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland pursuant to actions 5, 20 and 21 of the action plan of the 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons for the eleventh Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty (London).<https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69df600a53469bbcdf408e8b/UK-National-Report-11th-Treaty-on-the-Non-Proliferation-of-Nuclear-Weapons-NPT-Review-Conference.pdf>.

Office for Nuclear Regulation (2024). Report of the IAEA Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) Follow-up Mission to the United Kingdom. October. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6704ee5fc71e42688b65f294/irrs-report-2024-to-uk.pdf

United States

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What has the NWS done so far (prior to the current Review Cycle 2022–2026)?

With the enactment of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the United States adopted the IAEA’s Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources, as well as the Import-Export Guidance in their entirety and enhanced domestic licensing and export-import licensing controls for high activity radioactive sources. The regulations were amended in 2006.

As part of its commitment to the Code of Conduct, the United States has implemented the National Source Tracking System, which tracks state-regulated Category 1 and Category 2 radioactive sources from the time of their manufacture or import through the time of their disposal, export, or decay.

What is the NWS doing on this action in the current Review Cycle 2022–2026?

In 2023, the United States, as part of the G7 Non-Proliferation Directors Group, issued a statement encouraging further political commitments and implementation of the Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources and its supplementary guidance.

Sources

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. “Treaties and Conventions.” https://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/ip/treaties-conventions.

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. “Amendments to the Export and Import Regulations for Nuclear Equipment and Byproduct Material.” March 12, 2020. https://www.nrc.gov/security/byproduct/export-import/rules.

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. “National Source Tracking System (NUREG/BR-0472).” March 2010. https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/nuregs/brochures/br0472/index.

U.S. Department of State. “Statement of the G7 Non-Proliferation Directors Group.” Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation. April 17, 2023. https://2021-2025.state.gov/statement-of-the-g7-non-proliferation-directors-group/.