About the Code
The Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources is a non-legally binding legal instrument issued by the IAEA.
The code was strengthened to take account of international security concerns following the events of September 11, 2001. The text of the revised Code was approved by the IAEA Board of Governors in September 2003 and in resolution GC(47)/RES/7 the IAEA General Conference welcomed the Board's approval, while recognizing that the Code is not a legally binding instrument. The General Conference urged each State to write to the Director General expressing their full support and endorsement of the Agency's efforts to enhance the safety and security of radioactive sources, that they are working toward following the guidance contained in the Code and that they encourage other countries to do the same.
The Code was published by IAEA in January 2004 and many countries have since written to the Director General, expressing their political support for the Code. The Secretariat has been working with Member States to develop practical guidance on how to implement the Code. In this regard two supplementary Guidance documents were approved by the IAEA Board of Governors:
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Guidance on the Import and Export of Radioactive Sources: was approved in September 2004, and in resolution GC(48)/RES/10.D the IAEA General Conference welcomed the Board's approval; endorsed the Guidance while recognizing that it is not legally binding; encouraged States to act in accordance with the Guidance on a harmonized basis and to notify the Director General of their intention to do so;
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Guidance on the Management of Disused Radioactive Sources: was then approved in September 2017, and in resolution GC(61)/RES/8 the IAEA General Conference, endorsed the Guidance while recognizing it is not legally binding, and called on all Member States to make a political commitment to implement the Code of Conduct and its supplementary Guidance on the Import and Export of Radioactive Sources and its supplementary Guidance on the Management of Disused Radioactive Sources and to act in accordance with the Code and the Guidance.
Directory of National Regulatory Bodies for the Control of Radiation Sources
To facilitate close cooperation and coordination between Member States, the IAEA has developed a
directory of national regulatory bodies responsible for the control of radiation sources. All States, through these bodies, are requested to verify the directory’s accuracy and completeness.
List of States Expressing a Political Commitment
Here you can access Status list of countries:
- that have a made a political commitment with regard to the Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources and its supplementary Guidance on the Import and Export of Radioactive Sources and its supplementary Guidance on the Management of Disused Radioactive Sources;
- that have nominated a Point of Contact for the purpose of facilitating the export and/or import of radioactive sources;
- that have made available their responses to the Importing and Exporting states Questionnaire.
Would you like to express political support to the Code of Conduct?
Download the model letter expressing support >>