IAEA Releases Updated Regulations for Safe Transport of Radioactive Material

Every day, millions of shipments of nuclear and radioactive material move safely and securely within and across countries’ borders by road, rail, sea and air. For example, radiopharmaceuticals are delivered to hospitals for medical diagnosis and treatment, and sealed sources are transported for industrial use in tools and equipment such as gauges that measure the density, moisture, level and thickness of materials.  

Such shipments operate within a robust global safety framework that in more than 60 years has not recorded a transport incident causing a significant radiological hazard to people or the environment. 

The IAEA has published revised safety standards outlining requirements to ensure safety and protect people, property and the environment during the transport of radioactive material. The 2025 edition of the Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material updates the 2018 edition.  

The IAEA transport regulations provide the internationally recognized framework that enables radioactive material to be transported safely and efficiently across all modes of transport,” said Hildegarde Vandenhove, Director of the IAEA Division of Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety. “This latest revision reflects continued advances in scientific knowledge and operational experience, while maintaining the harmonized approach that underpins the strong global safety record of radioactive material transport.” 

Various aspects of the 2025 edition of the regulations are being discussed at the IAEA’s International Conference on the Safe and Secure Transport of Nuclear and Radioactive Material in Vienna, as well as challenges, emerging issues, and opportunities to further strengthen global transport safety.

 “As nuclear applications and transport technologies continue to advance, transport safety regulations must evolve accordingly to strengthen the exceptional safety record achieved globally,” said Hilaire Mansoux, Head of the IAEA Regulatory Infrastructure and Transport Safety Section.

Nearly 300 proposals for changes to the 2018 edition were received from member countries worldwide and were reviewed by an international panel of experts before the revised edition was approved by the IAEA for publication. 

“This collaborative process is fundamental, ensuring that the regulations reflect the collective expertise and broad international consensus of the global transport community,” said Mansoux.

The revised regulations reflect current scientific knowledge and operational experience while providing clear and practical requirements for safe transport. 

Among the key changes are revised A₁ and A₂ values, which determine packaging regulations of radioactive material such as portable moisture density gauges with sealed sources of Caesium-137 and Americium-241 and radiopharmaceuticals that are used in diagnostic and therapeutic applications such as Technetium-99m and Iodine-131. 

These updates also reflect the latest radiological data, dose coefficients, and modelling techniques. Additional enhancements include deadlines for phasing out packages designed under outdated standards and new provisions that address ageing effects in the design of packages for nuclear and radioactive material. These measures strengthen existing provisions for package durability, thereby ensuring long-term safety.

The revised safety regulations will be incorporated into international modal regulations for maritime transport and transport by air, and into regional modal regulations, such as those that apply to transport by road, rail and inland waterways. Countries also incorporate these regulations into their national regulations, creating a strong, harmonized global framework for transport safety. 

“Türkiye’s legislation on the safe transport of radioactive material aligns directly with IAEA Transport Regulations. This ensures a robust regulatory framework that minimizes radiation risks, enables seamless cross border shipments including fresh fuel delivery to Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant and exports of medical radioisotopes,” said Ibrahim Halil Dere, Vice President of Türkiye’s Nuclear Regulatory Authority. “The latest regulations will further boost clarity, harmonization, and the safe global movement of radioactive material.”

The IAEA supports member countries in applying the transport safety regulations through online and instructor-led training, advisory services and expert missions. This helps establish clear transport protocols that support competent authorities to build sustainable capacity, which helps to ensure that radioactive material is transported under an internationally aligned safety system. 

The IAEA also publishes transport security guidance, which helps to protect against malicious acts during transport. The IAEA safety standards on transport and the nuclear security guidance enable countries to implement a coherent approach to transport oversight for the protection of people and the environment against harmful effects of ionizing radiation. 

For more information on the conference, see here IAEA event page.