Irradiated Reactor Fuel

Security: A Brief Summary

NRC requirements for physical 

protection of irradiated reactor fuel in 

transit are found in 10 CFR 73.37.

Highlights include:

Coordinating with law enforcement 

agencies before the shipment;

Requiring advance notice to States, 

Tribal nations, and the NRC;

NRC review and approval of 

transport routes;

Using a movement control center 

staffed and equipped to monitor 

and control SNF shipments 

continuously while in transit;

Using armed escorts, and;

Using devices that allow drivers

and escorts to immobilize the 

road-transport vehicle.

Robust Shipping

Containers Add to Security

Security Requirements

for the transport of Spent

Nuclear Fuel (SNF)

The terrorist attacks of September 

11, 2001, heightened concerns

about the use of risk-significant

radioactive materials in a 

malevolent act. In response to the 

attacks, the U.S. Nuclear

Regulatory Commission (NRC)

assessed existing security 

requirements and determined 

that additional security measures 

were needed to enhance the 

protection of SNF shipments from 

theft, diversion, or radiological

sabotage.

Security of 

Irradiated

Reactor Fuel

in Transit

Photo Credit: STS Transport
 

Mission

Our mission is to regulate the nation’s

civilian use of radioactive materials in a way 

that protects public health and safety and 

the environment. The NRC regulates

commercial nuclear power reactors, research, 

test, and training reactors, nuclear fuel cycle 

facilities, and medical, academic, and 

industrial uses of nuclear materials. The NRC 

also regulates packaging for the transport, 

storage, and disposal of nuclear materials 

and waste and licenses the export and 

import ofradioactive materials.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 

was created as an independent agency 

by Congress in 1974 to ensurethe safe 

use of radioactive materialsfor

beneficial civilian purposes while 

protecting people and the environment.The 

NRC regulates commercial nuclear power 

plants and other uses of nuclear materials, 

such as in nuclear medicine,through

licensing, inspection and enforcement of its 

requirements.

For Additional Information Contact: 

Office of Public Affairs

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 

Washington, D.C. 20555-0001

Phone: (301) 415-8200

NRC and DOT Requirements

NRC's and DOT's regulations complement

each other in ensuring the safe and secure

movement of SNF.

The NRC requirement that obliges licensees to 

adhere to DOT requirements are found in 10 CFR

71.5, Transportation of licensed material:

10 CFR 71.5(a)states: “Each licensee who

transportslicensed material outside the site of 

usage, as specified in the NRC license, or where 

transport is on public highways, or who delivers 

licensed material to a carrier for transport, shall 

comply with the applicable requirements of the 

DOT regulations in 49 CFR parts 107, 171 

through 180, and 390 through 397, appropriate 

to the mode of transport.” DOT requirements 

include the following areas:

• Security plans

• Radiation levels in transit

• Hazardous material employee training

• Accident reporting

• Shipping papers and emergency information

 A Team of Teams

Several federal agencies, notably the US Department of 

Transportation (DOT), have security and safety 

requirements complementary to the NRC’s, all of which 

combine to provide high assurance of the secure and 

safe movement of SNF in the United States.

Other federal agencies involved in the safe and secure 

regulation of Hazard Class 7– (radioactive)

material:

• Customs and Border Protection

• Transportation Security Administration

• United States Coast Guard

• Federal Railroad Administration

• Department of Homeland Security

• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

• Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety 

Administration

• Federal Aviation Administration