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Nuclear Materials Transportation Package Certification

On this page:

Obtaining a Radioactive Material Package Certificate of Compliance
Process for New Certificates of Compliance
Modification Process for Certificates of Compliance
Renewal Process for Certificates of Compliance
Transfer and Merger Process for Certificates of Compliance
Package Performance Study

Obtaining a Radioactive Material Package Certificate of Compliance

The NRC must approve any package used for shipping nuclear material before shipment. If the package meets NRC requirements, the NRC issues a Radioactive Material Package Certificate of Compliance (CoC) to the organization requesting approval of a package. Organizations are authorized to ship radioactive material in a package approved for use under the general licensing provisions of 10 CFR Part 71 (see Shipping Requirements for more information).

For a transportation package to be certified by the NRC, it must be shown by actual test or computer analysis to withstand a series of accident conditions. The tests are performed in sequence to determine their cumulative effects on one cask.

Process for New Certificates of Compliance

To apply for a CoC to ship nuclear material, an organization would submit an application to NRC for review and approval. The application would contain information as described in "Standard Review Plan for Transportation Packages for Radioactive Material" (NUREG-1609) or the "Standard Review Plan for Transportation Packages for Spent Fuel" (NUREG-1617). The application must address the safety and operational characteristics of the package, including design analysis for structural, thermal, radiation shielding, nuclear criticality, material content confinement, and the four accident test conditions listed. In addition the application must contain operational guidance, such as any testing and maintenance requirements, operating procedures, and conditions for package use.

Modification Process for Certificates of Compliance

To modify a CoC, a CoC holder would submit a request to NRC with any necessary supporting technical information for NRC to review and approve, if appropriate, the amendment.

Renewal Process for Certificates of Compliance

To renew a CoC, a CoC holder at the end of the five-year approval period, would submit a request to NRC with any necessary supporting information describing the capability of the package design to continue to meet technical requirements. After reviewing this information, the NRC would determine whether to grant a CoC renewal.

Transfer and Merger Process for Certificates of Compliance

To transfer ownership of a CoC or to merge with another organization, a CoC holder would submit a request to NRC with any necessary supporting organizational information for NRC to review and approve the amendment.

Package Performance Study

The NRC is conducting a Package Performance Study to re-evaluate an original spent fuel transportation safety study sponsored by NRC in 1987 and documented in "Shipping Container Response to Severe Highway and Railway Accident Conditions" (NUREG/CR-4829).