Monitoring compliance

In relation to preventing criminal or unauthorized acts involving nuclear and other radioactive material, the regulatory body should implement a compliance monitoring programme. The key elements of compliance monitoring are requirements for:

— On-site inspection, particularly the examination of records to ensure that material is maintained as authorized;

— Verification that losses, potential loss of control, and theft are reported;

— Periodic feedback from users on the status of the material.

9.2.1. Control measures

The controls placed on material that is being used, stored or transported are normally commensurate with the activity and properties of the material.

Examples of such controls are:

— A clearly designated and exclusive place for handling and storage;

— Notices, signals or other warnings to indicate the presence of nuclear and other radioactive material;

— Indication of reference levels of radiation dose rates and contamination at appropriate locations;

— Physical barriers, including:

• controlled access to the place of use or storage;

• guards or electronic surveillance, locks, sealing procedures or other means to ensure that the area is physically secure.

— Intrusion detectors, if applicable.

Regular audits and assessments of the physical controls are conducted by those responsible for nuclear and other radioactive material to verify that the notices and barriers continue to provide an acceptable level of security and safety. The regulatory body is expected to ensure that the operator responsible for any such facility has established written procedures that individuals with responsibility for handling radioactive material must follow. Mobile radioactive sources, such as those used in industrial radiography or portable gauges, are particularly vulnerable to loss of control or theft. For such sources, secure temporary storage at remote locations is essential when they are not in use.

9.2.2. Detection equipment

Intrusion detection equipment may be required under some authoriza-tions issued by a regulatory body, particularly for nuclear material as required under the CPPNM. In addition, States may wish to evaluate their needs for intrusion detection equipment at locations where the use of Category 1, 2 and 3 radioactive sources is authorized [42].

9.2.3. Training

The national regulatory body, customs, police and other law enforcement bodies are advised to cooperate in the development of training material and the holding of training courses. Training needs to have clear and concise objectives. States may consider using training material that has been produced by the IAEA, WCO, Europol and Interpol. It is recommended that any training material or course on the prevention of criminal or unauthorized acts involving nuclear and other radioactive material also cover the relevant detection and response issues and address both theoretical and practical aspects.

9.2.4. Raising public awareness

Raising public awareness is an important part of efforts at the national level to prevent criminal or unauthorized acts involving nuclear and other radioactive material. The national authority, customs, police and other law enforcement bodies are encouraged to participate in the development and establishment of an effective programme to raise public awareness.

The form of a public awareness programme should be consistent with the national regulations and, accordingly, will vary between States. It may include information on changes in legislation, advertising campaigns directed towards target groups such as metal recycling industries or news items on successful instances of prevention.

9.2.5. Cooperative measures

Regulatory and other appropriate law enforcement bodies are advised to cooperate and regularly exchange information as part of strengthening their capabilities for increasing security of nuclear and other radioactive material. It is recommended that this be done both domestically and internationally, and that advantage be taken of the current cooperative initiatives by the IAEA, WCO, Interpol, Europol and European Commission. These initiatives are

aimed at: strengthening the infrastructures of States and international agencies;

increasing competence and vigilance; and avoiding duplication among the various bodies.

The following recommendations are aimed at developing cooperation and communication within and between States.

National level cooperation: The national programme on the prevention of criminal or unauthorized acts involving nuclear and other radioactive material should include all competent national agencies with related responsibilities.

Such a programme is most effective when it covers the nuclear safety and radiation protection authorities, relevant law enforcement agencies, responders and customs and intelligence services.

For efficient cooperation and communication, the national regulatory body(ies), customs, police and other law enforcement officers are advised to:

— Establish a network of contact points as part of an overall coordination and control mechanism;

— Encourage cooperative intelligence and similar efforts by customs and law enforcement officers to prevent the uncontrolled movement and trade in smuggled nuclear and other radioactive material;

— Encourage the exchange of information between agencies, authorities and services concerning criminal or unauthorized acts involving nuclear and other radioactive material;

— Establish and maintain a reliable, extensive and continuously updated database on cases of criminal or unauthorized acts involving nuclear and other radioactive material , using a common reporting protocol;

— Adopt a common notification and reporting format.

Bilateral and regional cooperation: National regulatory and other authorities are advised to consider formally cooperating and exchanging information with appropriate national authorities in neighbouring countries and with countries that have been identified as possible sources of seized nuclear or radioactive material. This will foster bilateral, regional and interna-tional cooperation and communication concerning criminal or unauthorized acts involving nuclear and other radioactive material and also create opportu-nities to review existing control mechanisms. It is recommended that regular meetings be arranged among the national authorities of neighbouring states to promote bilateral and regional cooperation.

International cooperation: National authorities are encouraged to take advantage of the assistance available from international organizations for sharing information and expertise, organizing and participating in technical

meetings, and supporting national programmes, including improving the relevant databases.

National authorities are requested to inform the appropriate interna-tional organizations of cases of criminal or unauthorized acts involving nuclear and other radioactive material or seizures of nuclear or radioactive material in accordance with their national legislation and channels of communication. In particular, it is helpful if events can be reported to the IAEA, WCO, Europol and Interpol for inclusion in their databases on nuclear and other radioactive material.