NRC SEEKS PUBLIC COMMENT ON PROPOSED RULE 

ON SECURITY OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS 

 The Nuclear Regulatory Commission seeks public comment on proposed new regulations 

that would codify and expand upon recent security measures the agency has imposed for certain 

sensitive radioactive materials. 

 A proposed rule, to be published soon in the Federal Register, would add a new Part 37 

to NRC’s regulations in Title 10 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR), and make 

conforming changes to other parts of NRC regulations regarding radioactive materials. 

 The proposed rule will establish security requirements for the most risk-significant 

radioactive materials (those in Category 1 and Category 2 of the International Atomic Energy 

Agency’s rankings of radiation sources), as well as for shipments of small amounts of irradiated 

reactor fuel. 

 “Radioactive source security is a high priority for the agency, and this new regulation 

will mark an important milestone in the progress that the agency has made in this area,” NRC 

Chairman Gregory B. Jaczko said. “Through this rulemaking and other interrelated activities, the 

agency is contributing to an increase in the effectiveness of the nation’s security.” Other efforts 

Chairman Jaczko mentioned include implementation of the National Source Tracking System, 

the ongoing rulemaking for limiting the quantity of byproduct material in a generally licensed 

device, and the efforts of the Radiation Source Protection and Security Task Force, an interagency group headed by the NRC. 

 The NRC took steps to strengthen the security of risk-sensitive radioactive materials 

immediately after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Since that time, the NRC has issued 

various orders imposing enhanced controls, implemented requirements for fingerprinting and 

criminal background checks for people with access to certain radioactive materials, and 

developed and implemented the National Source Tracking System. 

 The new Part 37 and changes to other parts of 10 CFR contained in the proposed rule 

incorporate NRC’s lessons learned in implementing those security measures, as well as 

stakeholder input on proposed language for the new rule. Codifying these requirements in NRC’s 

regulations will enhance consistency of implementation as well as transparency and 

predictability of NRC’s oversight of radioactive material security. 

NRC NEWS

U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

Office of Public Affairs Telephone: 301/415-8200 

Washington, D.C. 20555-0001 

E-mail: opa.resource@nrc.gov

Site: http://www.nrc.gov

No. 10-096 June 1, 2010
 Comments will be accepted for 120 days following publication of the proposed rule in the 

Federal Register. Comments may be submitted over the federal government’s rulemakings Web 

site at http://www.regulations.gov, using docket ID NRC-2008-0120. They may also be sent to 

Secretary, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. 20555-0001, ATTN: 

Rulemakings and Adjudications Staff; or e-mailed to Rulemaking.Comments@nrc.gov. 

 The NRC will separately publish for public comment in the Federal Register guidance on 

implementing the new regulations. The agency also plans two public meetings on the 

implementation guidance; details of those meetings will be announced at a later date. 

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