Mission:

To provide the scientific, engineering, radiological and risk analysis expertise and to conduct coordinated and effective technical programs in order to provide the knowledge that is the technical foundation of international and national hazardous materials transportation safety standards and programs.

The functions of this Office are:

1. Advise the Associate Administrator on scientific, engineering radiological, and risk analysis knowledge that forms the technical and risk basis for agency policy, standards and programs;
   
   
2. Perform scientific, engineering, radiological and risk analyses involved in developing clear, concise, risk based and cost justified agency policies, international and national safety standards and agency risk management programs;
   
   
3. Conduct and administer scientific, engineering, radiological and risk analysis research and development activities necessary to improve the safety of hazardous material transportation;
4. Represent the U.S. in the development of international standards and issue National Competent Authority Certificates for the international transportation of radioactive materials;
   
   
5. Develop and review new proposals or changes to international standards for hazardous material transportation and recommend disposition of National Competent Authority Certificates under the provisions of the International Civil Aviation Organization(ICAO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO); and
   
   
6. Provide technical expertise and agency representation to the interested public, other Government agencies, the regulated industry, other Governments and national and international standards development organizations.

The functions of this Office are also subject to the executive direction of the Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety.