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Security Enhancement Activities

The NRC has taken a leadership role in establishing an enhanced security framework for risk-significant radioactive sources in both the U.S. and the international community. The NRC chaired in the Radiation Source Protection and Security Task Force to evaluate and provide recommendations relating to the security of radiation sources in the U.S.

On this page

• The NRC's Efforts to Secure Byproduct Material
• Task Force on Radiation Source Protection and Security
• Related Documents
• Related Letters

The NRC's Efforts to Secure Byproduct Material

The efforts of the NRC have included

• working with the Deparments of Energy and State to influence the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources (completed September 2003);
• using the Code of Conduct as the organizing principle for the security enhancements for licensees possessing risk-significant sources;
• making the U.S. the first nation to implement the export/import controls for high-risk sources recommended by the Code;
• partnering with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to validate the authenticity of radioactive material shipments;
• assisting the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS's) Domestic Nuclear Detection Office in their effort to develop a national nuclear detection infrastructure;
• partnering with other Federal and State agencies to develop, maintain, and implement methods to enhance the security of radioactive materials;
• working with Agreement States to
  • issue legally binding requirements for the increased security of Category 1 and 2 quantities of byproduct material to nearly 3,000 licensees; and
  • inspect the licenses to verify compliance with the requirements; and
• participating in a variety of interagency working groups and other activities to promote security awareness and effective practices among materials licensees throughout the Nation.

Task Force on Radiation Source Protection and Security

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 directed the Radiation Source Protection and Security Task Force to evaluate and provide recommendations relating to the security of radiation sources in the U.S. from potential terrorist threats, including acts of sabotage, theft, or use of a radiation source in a radiological dispersal device.  The task force was comprised of independent experts from 14 Federal agencies and two State organizations, and was chaired by the NRC.  The independent task force members represented agencies with broad authority over all aspects of radioactive source control, including regulatory, security, intelligence, and international activities.  

On August 15, 2006, the task force submitted a report to the President and the U.S. Congress.  The task force made 10 recommendations for enhanced security but did not find any significant gaps in security that were not already being addressed.  The report states

The Task Force believes that the combination of direct regulations concerning source security and control, personnel protection regulations, guidance, orders, and inspection and enforcement provides reasonable assurance that the Category 1 and 2 sources in use and storage at NRC and Agreement State licensed facilities and at DOE facilities are safe and secure.

On January 16, 2007, the Commission approved the NRC staff's proposal to implement these recommendations.

Related Documents

• The Radiation Source Protection and Security Task Force Report - Aug 15, 2006
• NRC Implementation Plan for the Task Force Report - Paper to the Commissioners
• NRC Implementation Plan for the Task Force Report - Plan Details

Related Letters

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Friday, April 13, 2007