The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) is proposing amendments to its Safety Code on Safe Transport of Radioactive Material, AERB/NRFTS/SC-1 (Rev.1), 2016, to align with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material 2018 Edition (SSR-6 (Rev.1), 2018).
These revisions focus on incorporating ageing mechanism aspects into the design approval process for packages and special form radioactive material, ensuring consistency, and facilitating international compliance.
The attached annexure is open for public comments within 15 days. These revised requirements must be read in conjunction with the current AERB/NRFTS/SC-1 (Rev.1), 2016.
Key Amendments to the Safety Code
The proposed amendments introduce new requirements and modify transitional arrangements across several sections:
Consideration of Ageing Mechanisms
- The design of the package must now explicitly take into account ageing mechanisms.
- For packages intended to be used for shipment after storage, it must be ensured that all packaging components and radioactive contents have been maintained during storage to fulfill all regulatory requirements and applicable certificates of approval.
- An application for package approval must include a justification of considerations to ageing mechanisms in the safety analysis and within the proposed operating and maintenance instructions.
- For packages used for shipment after storage, a gap analysis programme is required, describing a systematic procedure for a periodic evaluation of changes in regulations, technical knowledge, and the state of the package design during storage.
Transport Definition
The definition of “transport” is revised to explicitly include “Shipment after storage” in the list of associated operations and conditions.
Transitional Arrangements for Packaging
Packages meeting the requirements of IAEA Regulations from the 1996 to the 2012 Editions may continue to be used provided they were prepared for transport prior to December 31, 2025 OR may continue to be used if the packaging was not manufactured or modified after December 31, 2025.
No new manufacture of packagings to a design meeting the IAEA provisions of the 1996 to 2012 Editions shall be permitted to commence after December 31, 2028.
Transitional Arrangements for Special Form Radioactive Material
No new manufacture of special form radioactive material to a design unilaterally approved under the 1996 to 2012 Editions of the IAEA Regulations shall be permitted to commence after December 31, 2025. Use of older designs (1985 to 2012 Editions) may continue, provided they comply with the mandatory management system.