Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2009/06/23/E9-14679/export-and-import-of-nuclear-equipment-and-material-updates-and-clarifications
Timestamp: 2018-07-19 14:15:31
Document Index: 59060795

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A Proposed Rule by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on 06/23/2009
The comment period for this proposed rule ends on September 8, 2009. Comments received after this date will be considered if it is practical to do so, but the NRC is only able to assure consideration for comments received on or before this date. Submit comments specific to the information collection aspects of this rule by July 23, 2009.
29614-29630 (17 pages)
A. Category 1 and 2 Quantities of Radioactive Material Listed in Appendix P to Part 110
C. General License for the Export of Byproduct Material
Appendix L to Part 110—Illustrative List of Byproduct Material Under NRC Export/Import Licensing Authority
Appendix L to Part 110 [Amended]
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/E9-14679 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/E9-14679
Start Preamble Start Printed Page 29614
The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to amend its regulations that govern the export and import of nuclear equipment and material. In addition to updating, clarifying and correcting several provisions, this proposed rule would allow Category 1 and 2 quantities of materials listed in the Commission's regulations to be imported under a general license. The proposed rule would also revise the definition of “radioactive waste” and remove the definition of “incidental radioactive material.”
You may submit comments by any one of the following methods. Please include the number RIN 3150-AI16 in the subject line of your comments. Comments on rulemakings submitted in writing or in electronic form will be made available to the public in their entirety. Personal information, such as your name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, etc., will not be removed from your submission.
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and search for documents filed under Docket ID [NRC-2008-0567]. Address questions about NRC dockets to Carol Gallagher 301-415-5905; e-mail Carol.Gallagher@nrc.gov.
Hand deliver comments to: 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852, between 7:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m., Federal workdays. (Telephone 301-415-1677)
Publicly available documents related to this rulemaking may be viewed electronically on the public computers located at the NRC's Public Document Room (PDR), O-1 F21, One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland. The PDR reproduction contractor will copy documents for a fee.
Brooke G. Smith, International Policy Analyst, Office of International Programs, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, MS-04E21, Washington, DC 20555-0001; telephone: 301-415-2347; e-mail: brooke.smith@nrc.gov.
The NRC is proposing to amend its regulations for the export and import of nuclear equipment and material in 10 CFR Part 110, Export and Import of Nuclear Equipment and Material. The proposed rule would update, clarify, and correct several provisions in 10 CFR Part 110 to improve NRC's regulatory framework for the export and import of nuclear equipment, material, and radioactive waste. It would also clarify and correct the regulations addressing the general license for the export of byproduct material. In addition, changes are proposed to the regulations governing the export and import of Category 1 and Category 2 quantities of radioactive materials listed in Appendix P to 10 CFR Part 110 and the definition of “radioactive waste” in 10 CFR Part 110. A discussion of the most significant changes follows.
On July 1, 2005, the NRC published a final rule that amended 10 CFR Part 110 to take into account provisions of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources (Code of Conduct), and the supplemental IAEA Guidance on the Import and Export of Radioactive Sources. The amendments provided for enhanced security for the export and import of Category 1 and Category 2 quantities of radioactive materials listed in a new Appendix P to 10 CFR Part 110 including new specific export and import licensing requirements, advance notification procedures prior to shipment, verification of the recipient facility's licensing status, and review of the adequacy of the receiving country's controls on radioactive sources.
These requirements became effective on December 28, 2005. Since these new requirements have been implemented, the NRC has reevaluated the need for a specific license for the import of Category 1 and 2 quantities of radioactive material to a U.S.-licensed user in light of enhancements made to the NRC's domestic regulatory framework. As a result, the NRC is proposing to amend 10 CFR Part 110 to allow imports of Category 1 and 2 quantities of materials listed in Appendix P under a general license. The proposed change would also align the NRC's regulations with the practices of other countries and is responsive to Start Printed Page 29615the comments the NRC has received from U.S. licensees.
The most significant enhancement pertinent to these materials is the establishment of the National Source Tracking System (NSTS) that will track from “cradle to grave” transactions involving Category 1 and 2 radioactive sources (71 FR 65686; November 8, 2006). Licensees will be responsible for recording the manufacture, shipment, arrival, and disposal of all licensed and tracked Category 1 and 2 sources. For every nationally tracked source that is imported, the facility obtaining the source will be required to report the information to the NSTS by the close of the next business day after receipt of the imported source. The effective date for this proposed change to allow imports of Category 1 and 2 material under a general license would be delayed until the NSTS is fully operational; however, it is expected that the NSTS would be fully operational well before this proposed change is promulgated as a final rule. The current estimate for the launch of the NSTS (tracking of Category 1 and 2 sources) is January 31, 2009. With the NSTS in place, there will be much more information about imported sources available to the staff, reducing the need for a specific license.
Specifically, § 110.27(f) would be revised by removing the specific license requirement for imports of radioactive material listed in Table 1 of Appendix P to 10 CFR Part 110. Conforming changes are proposed to §§ 110.32, 110.43, and 110.50. Imports of radioactive material into the United States would continue to be contingent on the consignee being authorized to receive and possess the material under a general or specific NRC or Agreement State license. See § 110.27(a). Moreover, importers of Category 1 and 2 materials under a general license would still be subject to the notification requirements prior to shipment as required by § 110.50. The advance notifications of imports of Category 1 and 2 quantities of material, § 110.50(c) would be revised to require the exporting facility name, location, address, contact name and telephone number as part of the pre-shipment notification.
Additionally, § 110.50(c) would be revised to require advance notifications of imports to be submitted seven days in advance of shipment. This change would permit NRC staff adequate time to verify the information provided in the advance notification. Currently, the pre-shipment notification is at least seven days in advance of each shipment, to the extent practical, but in no case less than 24 hours in advance of each shipment.
Currently, at the time of the license application, for both Category 1 and Category 2 exports, the applicant for the export license is required to provide the NRC with pertinent documentation demonstrating that the recipient of the radioactive material has the necessary authorization under the laws and regulations of the importing country to receive and possess the material. For Category 2 exports, the NRC has waived this requirement for a number of licensees to allow the exporter to provide this authorization at the time of notification of shipment instead of at the time of the application. This waiver is consistent with the Code of Conduct and supplemental Guidance, under which the authorization from the importing country can be verified by the exporter of Category 2 material if permitted by the licensing agency.
The proposed rule would amend § 110.32 to allow the export licensee (for Category 2 material only) to verify the authorization from the importing country at the time of shipping instead of at the time of the license application. The regulations would continue to require licensees to send copies of the authorizations to the NRC.
In 1995, the NRC promulgated a final rule requiring specific licenses for exports and imports of radioactive waste (60 FR 37555; July 21, 1995). Since that time, based on the Commission's extensive experience in implementing the rule, it became clear that the rule warrants revision. Specifically, the definition of radioactive waste in 10 CFR Part 110 is confusing and inconsistent with how the term is used domestically. Likewise, the term “incidental radioactive material” (IRM), as defined in 10 CFR Part 110, is unclear with regard to its scope, applicability, and relationship to radioactive waste. In particular, the meaning of the phrase “recycling or resource recovery” in the definition of IRM is unclear and difficult to apply because the concept of IRM is limited to 10 CFR Part 110. Consequently, the Commission is proposing changes to the definition of radioactive waste in § 110.2 to address these concerns. Among the proposed changes is the deletion of the definition of IRM from § 110.2 and incorporation of aspects of it in the revised definition of radioactive waste. These proposed changes to 10 CFR Part 110 will facilitate the licensing process for exports and imports of radioactive waste and improve the efficiency and consistency of licensing actions.
A specific license would be required for the export and import of radioactive waste if a specific radioactive material license is required to possess the material domestically in accordance with NRC's regulations in 10 CFR Chapter 1 (e.g., Parts 30, 40, and 70). This revision would link the specific license requirement for the export and import of radioactive waste to those materials (in the form of waste) that require a specific license in accordance with NRC's domestic regulations. This would eliminate the need for a specific license to export or import materials that do not require a specific license to possess under NRC's regulations in 10 CFR Chapter 1. In addition, this proposed change would improve consistency and eliminate some of the differences between the domestic licensing requirements for possession and the licensing requirements for export and import.
The proposed changes would require a specific export or import license for any material that requires a specific NRC license to possess domestically, in accordance with the requirements in 10 CFR Chapter 1, that is exported or imported for the purposes of (1) disposal in a land disposal facility as defined in Part 61, a disposal area as defined in Appendix A to Part 40, or an equivalent facility; or (2) recycling, waste treatment or other waste management process that generates radioactive material for disposal in a land disposal facility as defined in Part 61, a disposal area as defined in Appendix A to Part 40, or an equivalent facility. This change would simplify the regulatory framework by clearly stating that exporting or importing material for recycling, waste treatment, or other waste management process that generates radioactive material for disposal in a Part 40 or Part 61 facility (or the equivalent) would require a specific export or import license.
This proposed rule would also delete the definition of “incidental radioactive material” from 10 CFR Part 110. The purpose of this proposed change would be to clarify the scope of “radioactive waste” and to address confusion created by the current definition of IRM. While the proposed rule would delete the definition of IRM, the rule does incorporate aspects of IRM into the revised definition of radioactive waste and the exclusions from that definition. For example, the current scope of the exclusion related to contamination on service equipment (including service tools) used in nuclear facilities (if the service equipment is being shipped for use in another nuclear facility and not for waste management purposes or Start Printed Page 29616disposal) would be expanded and broadened to include some of the material that currently falls under the definition of IRM such as launderable protective clothing.
There are three exclusions from the current definition of “radioactive waste.” Under the proposed rule, the three exclusions would be retained, with some modifications, and two new exclusions are proposed. The five proposed exclusions are set forth below:
1. Radioactive material in sealed sources or devices containing sealed sources being returned to any manufacturer, distributor or other entity which is authorized to receive and possess them. Under the current exclusion, the scope is limited to sources or devices being returned to a manufacturer. The proposed change would allow the return of sources or devices to distributors and other appropriately authorized entities. Licensing and notification requirements for Category 1 and Category 2 quantities of material listed in Table 1 of Appendix P would apply where applicable.
2. A contaminate on any non-radioactive material used in nuclear facilities, if the item is being shipped for recovery and beneficial use of the non-radioactive component in a nuclear facility and not solely for waste management purposes or disposal. The current scope of the exclusion related to contamination on service equipment (including service tools) used in nuclear facilities (if the service equipment is being shipped for use in another nuclear facility and not for waste management purposes or disposal) would be expanded and broadened to include some of the material that currently falls under the definition of IRM such as launderable protective clothing.
3. Materials exempted from regulation by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission or equivalent Agreement State regulations. This proposed exclusion is consistent with the previously mentioned revision that links the requirement for a specific import or export license for radioactive waste to the specific licensing requirements in 10 CFR Chapter 1 (e.g., Parts 30, 40, and 70). This change would eliminate some differences between NRC's export and import regulations and domestic regulation of the same material or equipment.
4. Materials generated or used in a U.S. Government waste research and development testing program under international arrangements. No changes are proposed to this exclusion.
5. Materials being returned by or for the U.S. Government or military to a facility that is authorized to possess the material. This proposed exclusion recognizes that the U.S. Government or military will, in certain circumstances, seek to return material to the United States. Material returned must be to a facility that is authorized to possess the material.
The NRC staff regularly receives questions from the regulated community regarding the application of § 110.23, General license for the export of byproduct material. Our experience has demonstrated the need to revise several requirements for the export of byproduct material in order to clarify the requirements and to address inconsistencies inadvertently resulting from prior changes made to the section in 1994 (September 26, 1994; 59 FR 48994) and 2000 (November 22, 2000; 65 FR 70287).
Prior to 1994, a general license was issued to any person to export any byproduct material, except for tritium, polonium-210, neptunium-237, and americium-241, to any country not listed in § 110.28 (embargoed destinations). In 1994, the NRC revoked the general license for Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG)-controlled alpha-emitters and International Atomic Energy List of the Coordinating Committee on Multilateral Export Controls (COCOM)-controlled transuranic isotopes. The NRC established a new general license to permit the export of the specified alpha-emitting radionuclides to countries which are members of the NSG and to permit the export of the specified alpha-emitting radionuclides to most other countries when in a device, or in a source for use in a device, containing less than 3.7 × 10−3 terabecquerels (TBq) (100 millicuries (mCi)) of alpha activity per device or source. (10 CFR Part 71, Appendix A, provides specific activities in terabequerels per gram and in curies per gram.) The alpha-emitting radionuclides added to § 110.23 (a)(2) in 1994 were:
Actinium-225.
Actinium-227.
Californium-248.
Californium-250.
Californium-252.
Curium-240.
Curium-241.
Curium-243.
Curium-244.
Einsteinium-252.
Einsteinium-253.
Einsteinium-254.
Einsteinium-255.
Fermium-257.
Gadolinium-148.
Mendelevium-258.
Polonium-208.
Polonium-209.
Radium-223.
The NRC also revoked the general license for americium-242m, californium-249, californium-251, curium-245, and curium-247 (transuranic isotopes) to conform NRC's regulations with the COCOM control list.
At the final rule stage, curium-246 was added to § 110.23(a)(1) (1994) which had the effect of restricting the general license for curium-246 to a specified activity level. It appears that this restriction was in error. Curium-246 is not on the NSG-control list or the COCOM-control list. Further, there is no discussion in the final rule (or the proposed rule) in 1994 of restricting the general license for curium-246 at a specified activity level. Therefore, this proposed rule would remove the limitation on the general license for export. Curium-246, at any activity level, could be exported under a general license to any country not listed in § 110.28 (embargoed destination).
As a result of the 2000 amendments, the NSG-controlled and COCOM-controlled radionuclides were merged into § 110.23(a)(2) (2000). Americium-241 and neptunium-237 were included in this section even though they were not NSG- or COCOM-controlled. All of the radioisotopes listed in that section could be exported under a general license up to 3.7 × 10−3 TBq (100 millicuries).
In the proposed rule, new § 110.23(a)(2) would contain the requirements for COCOM-controlled radionuclides and new § 110.23(a)(4) would contain the general license for the NSG-controlled alpha-emitting radionuclides.
The general license for americium-241 would also be revised. In 2000, when § 110.23 was clarified for ease of reading, americium-241 (and neptunium-237) were included in the “merged” list of NSG- and COCOM-controlled radionuclides even though they were not NSG- or COCOM-controlled (see § 110.23(a)(2) (2000)). The effect of the 2000 amendments was to restrict the general license for exports of americium-241 to 3.7 × 10−3 TBq (100 mCi). Prior to the changes in 2000, there were no activity restrictions on exports to countries not listed in §§ 110.29 (restricted destinations) and 110.28 (embargoed destinations). Americium-241 exports under a general license could not exceed 3.7 × 10−2 TBq Start Printed Page 29617(one curie) per shipment or 3.7 TBq (100 curies) per year to any one country listed in § 110.29. For exports to § 110.29 countries that exceeded the limit above, the americium-241 must be contained in petroleum exploration or industrial process control equipment in quantities not exceeding 0.74 TBq (20 curies) per device or 7.4 TBq (200 curies) per year to any one restricted country.
In 2005, the Commission published a final rule that conformed NRC's export and import regulations to the provisions of the IAEA Code of Conduct and supplemental Guidance (July 5, 2005; 70 FR 37985). The specific radioactive material and quantities added by this rule are listed in Table 1 of Appendix P to 10 CFR Part 110. Americium-241 is one of the materials listed in this table. As a result of the 2005 rule, an NRC specific license was required to export (and import) these radioactive materials at Category 2 and above quantities. For americium-241, the Category 2 threshold limit was set at 0.6 TBq (16 Ci). As part of the 2005 rulemaking, changes were made to the general license for americium-241 in an effort to conform it to the threshold for americium-241 in Table 1 of Appendix P. The staff is now proposing to remove americium-241 from § 110.23 (a)(2) which currently controls it at 3.7 × 10−3 TBq (100 mCi) and rewrite the general license for americium-241 in proposed § 110.23(a)(5) to address the inconsistencies inadvertently resulting from prior changes to the section and to take into account the Appendix P thresholds for americium-241.
Likewise, the general license for the export of neptunium-237 would be revised to address inconsistencies resulting from prior rule changes. Under this proposed rule the general license for the export of neptunium-237 would cover shipments that do not exceed one gram for individual shipment and do not exceed a cumulative total of 10 grams per year to any one country. The general license would be found in § 110.23(a)(6) of this proposed rule.
We also reexamined the general license to export tritium. Several editorial changes are proposed for the general license in an effort to make it more readable. Over the years, the various restrictions applying to the general license to export tritium had been merged into a single subparagraph—currently, § 110.23 (a)(6). In this proposed rule, the general license for tritium has been divided into four sections, § 110.23(a)(8)(i) through (a)(8)(iv), for clarity.
Section 110.1, Purpose and scope. The proposed rule would remove paragraph (b)(2). None of the items controlled by the Department of State pursuant to 22 CFR Parts 120 through 130, “International Traffic in Arms Regulations” (ITAR), are within the scope of the NRC's regulations. Also, the citations in paragraphs (b)(3) and (b)(4) would be corrected.
Section 110.2, Definitions. The proposed rule would revise the definitions for Agreement for cooperation, Atomic Energy Act, Classified Information, Conversion facility, Depleted uranium, Effective kilograms of special nuclear material, Embargoed, Executive Branch, General license, Heels, Medical isotope, Natural uranium, Non-Nuclear Weapons State, NRC Public Document Room, Obligations, Physical security, Radioactive waste, Radiopharmaceutical, Recipient Country, Restricted destinations, and Specific license to make editorial changes. The proposed revision to the definition of radioactive waste is discussed in detail in Section 1.B of this document. The definitions for Bulk material, Low-level waste compact, and Nuclear Suppliers Group would be added for clarification purposes. In addition, the proposed rule would remove the definition of Incidental radioactive material as discussed in Section 1.B of this document.
Section 110.4, Communications. Changes would be made to update a reference to an NRC Web site URL.
Section 110.6, Retransfers. The proposed rule would add language to clarify the scope of the provisions to be consistent with the requirements of the Atomic Energy Act. Paragraph (b) would be amended to update the address for the Department of Energy.
Section 110.7, Information collection requirements: OMB approval. Changes would restructure the section for clarification and would make a minor editorial change.
Section 110.7a, Completeness and accuracy information. The proposed rule would make an editorial change to paragraph (b).
Section 110.10, General. The proposed rule would amend paragraph (c) to clarify that an exemption does not relieve any person from complying with the regulations of other U.S. Federal and/or State Government agencies.
Section 110.11, Export of IAEA safeguards samples. Editorial changes are proposed to the text.
Section 110.19, Types of licenses. The proposed rule would amend paragraph (a) by removing the last sentence regarding compliance with other applicable regulations. The requirement that general and specific licensees are subject to other applicable laws or regulations is already addressed in § 110.50(a). This proposed rule would also remove paragraph (b) which relates to exports of incidental radioactive material.
Section 110.20, General license information. The proposed rule would remove references to “incidental radioactive material” and correct citations in paragraph (a). Paragraph (d) would be amended to preclude use of generally licensed material in any illegal or inappropriate activity such as use in a radiological dispersion device, diversion of material or equipment, and other malicious acts.
Section 110.21, General license for the export of special nuclear material. The proposed rule would remove the general license provision related to the export of incidental radioactive material in paragraph (e) and make editorial changes to paragraphs (a), (b), and (c).
Section 110.22, General license for the export of source material. The proposed rule would make editorial changes, correct internal reference errors in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), and (f), and would add a reference to paragraph (e) to the text of paragraph (f). The amendment would remove the general license provision related to the export of incidental radioactive material in paragraph (g).
Section 110.23, General license for the export of byproduct material. The proposed rule would make editorial and organizational changes to clarify requirements. No new substantive requirements are proposed. These changes are discussed in detail in Section I.C of this document.
Section 110.24, General license for the export of deuterium. Proposed editorial changes would clarify the text to improve readability.
The proposed rule would amend 10 CFR Part 110, by adding and reserving § 110.25. This change is made to clarify that there is not a printing error in 10 CFR Part 110 and reserve this section for possible future changes to the regulations.
Section 110.26, General license for the export of nuclear reactor components. The proposed rule would amend § 110.26 by restructuring paragraph (a) Start Printed Page 29618to clarify that the general license covers components solely of U.S. origin. Paragraph (a)(1) would be removed, and the text incorporated into paragraph (a). Paragraphs (a)(2) and (a)(3) would be redesignated as (a)(1) and (a)(2), respectively. New paragraph (a)(2) would be amended to allow a component to be returned to the United States after final fabrication or repair or to be used in a nuclear power or research reactor in one of the destinations listed in the section. This would allow, for example, a component that was sent to Japan for final fabrication or repair to be sent to Spain for use in a nuclear power or research reactor in that country. The list of destinations in paragraph (a) would be moved to new paragraph (b). The subsequent paragraphs would be renumbered accordingly.
New paragraph (b) would be revised to include additional destinations to which exports may be sent under a general license. These destinations are Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovak Republic, and Slovenia. The United States has received broad generic assurances from EURATOM which would also apply to these new EURATOM member countries for purposes of section 109b. of the Atomic Energy Act.
Section 110.27, General license for imports. The proposed rule would amend § 110.27 by removing paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2). NRC's import regulations do not apply to the Department of Energy for activities authorized by sections 54, 64, 82, and 91 of the Atomic Energy Act. This includes activities conducted under a contract with the Department of Energy. We are proposing to remove paragraph (a)(2) because a general license should not be required for the import of byproduct, source, or special nuclear material when that same material is exempt from NRC domestic licensing requirements. The current inconsistency between NRC's import licensing requirements and NRC's domestic licensing requirements is a source of confusion. This change would clarify that material that is exempt or else not subject to domestic licensing requirements (e.g., § 31.18 and § 40.13) would not require a general or specific import license unless otherwise mandated in 10 CFR Part 110.
Paragraph (b) would be revised to clarify that the 100 kilograms per shipment limit only applies to the material and does not include the weight of the container. As revised, this paragraph would state that the general license in paragraph (a) does not authorize the import of source or special nuclear material in the form of irradiated fuel if the total weight of the material exceeds 100 kilograms per shipment.
Section 110.27 would be revised at paragraph (f) by removing the specific license requirement for imports of radioactive material listed in Table 1 of Appendix P to 10 CFR Part 110. As discussed in detail in Section I.A of this document, this proposed rule would allow Category 1 and Category 2 quantities of radioactive materials to be imported under a general license.
Section 110.30, Members of the Nuclear Suppliers Group. The proposed rule would update the list of Nuclear Suppliers Group members by adding “China,” “Croatia,” “Estonia,” “Kazakhstan,” “Lithuania,” and “Malta.”
Section 110.31, Application for a specific license. The proposed rule would amend this section to require requests for an exemption from a licensing requirement to be filed on NRC Form 7. This is consistent with NRC regulations that require all licensing requests (i.e., exports, imports, combined export/import, amendment, and renewal applications) to be made using NRC Form 7. See 71 FR 19102; April 13, 2006.
Section 110.31 would be changed to require a request for an exemption from a licensing requirement to be accompanied by the appropriate fee in accordance with the fee schedule in § 170.21 and § 170.31. This change is consistent with the Fiscal Year 2007 NRC Fee Rule which established a flat fee for requests for exemptions from NRC's export and import licensing requirements. See 72 FR 31402; June 6, 2007. This change would update 10 CFR Part 110 to reflect recent changes to the fee schedule in 10 CFR Part 170.
Additionally, the proposed rule would add a signature requirement to § 110.31 that each application submitted on NRC Form 7 must be signed by the applicant or licensee or a person duly authorized to act for and on behalf of the applicant or licensee. This proposed change is consistent with requirements related to applications for specific licenses in other parts of NRC's regulations. It would also clarify that a signature is required to certify the veracity of information submitted to the agency on the NRC Form 7.
Finally, the order of paragraphs (b) and (c) would be reversed so that § 110.31 flows in a more logical manner where the requirement for an application for a specific license to export or import or a request for an exemption from a licensing requirement precedes the requirement that such an application or request be accompanied by the appropriate license fee. In paragraph (b), as revised, “combined export/import” would be removed to be consistent with the proposal to allow imports of Category 1 and 2 materials listed in Table 1 of Appendix P of 10 CFR Part 110 under general license.
Section 110.32, Information required on an application for a specific license/NRC Form 7. The proposed rule change to paragraph (b) would clarify that the name and address of any other party, including the supplier of the equipment or material, if different from the applicant, must be provided on the application. Paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) would be amended for consistency purposes. Specifically, for the export of nuclear equipment to a foreign reactor, a license application would include the name of the facility so the NRC would know whether Executive Branch review is required, per § 110.41(a)(7).
This section would also be amended to clarify that applicants for the import of radioactive waste must provide the classification of that waste as defined in 10 CFR 61.55 when the waste is being imported for direct disposal. If the waste is being imported for treatment or management at an NRC or Agreement State licensed waste processor, classification, as defined in 10 CFR 61.55, is not required. Rather, a detailed characterization (physical and chemical characteristics) of the waste being imported for treatment or management must be provided in the application.
Paragraph (g) would be deleted to conform this section with the proposed change which would allow Category 1 and Category 2 quantities of radioactive materials to be imported under a general license. This proposed change is discussed in more detail in Section I.A of this document and in the section-by-section analysis for § 110.27.
Paragraph (h) would be redesignated as new paragraph (g) and would allow the exporter of Category 2 quantities of material listed in Table 1 of Appendix P to provide the pertinent documentation that the recipient of the material has the necessary authorization under the laws and regulations of the importing country to receive and possess the material to the NRC at least 24 hours prior to the shipment. These changes are discussed in Section I.A of this document. The requirement that the applicant for a Category 1 export license provide the NRC, at the time the application is submitted, with pertinent documentation demonstrating that the recipient of the radioactive material has the necessary authorization (usually in the form of a license) under the laws and regulations of the importing country Start Printed Page 29619to receive and possess the material would remain unchanged.
Section 110.40, Commission review. The proposed rule would amend this section to reduce the number of export license applications that require Commission review and would, instead, focus Commission review on the export license applications that raise significant policy issues. For example, mandatory Commission review of export applications for nuclear grade graphite for nuclear end use and 1,000 kilograms or more of deuterium oxide would no longer be required unless the export raises an important policy issue. The proposed change also would increase the proposed export of one effective kilogram of high-enriched uranium, plutonium or uranium-233 to five effective kilograms for mandatory Commission review. The change would mandate Commission review of import license applications that raise significant policy issues. By focusing on policy issues, this proposed change would increase efficiency and reduce fees on routine NRC export applications. Any export that is subject to special limitations as determined by the staff or the Executive Branch would be considered one that raises an important policy issue and would continue to require Commission review. This proposed rule would add a requirement for Commission review of export applications of material listed in Table 1 of Appendix P to 10 CFR Part 110 involving exceptional circumstances, as defined in § 110.42, or Category 1 quantities of material to any country listed in § 110.28.
Section 110.41, Executive Branch review. The proposed rule would amend § 110.41 to make a minor editorial change and to require Executive Branch review of exports raising significant policy issues, including exports of radioactive material listed in Table 1 of Appendix P to 10 CFR Part 110 involving exceptional circumstances as defined in § 110.42. Also, the export of radioactive material listed Table 1 of Appendix P to any country listed in §§ 110.28 or 110.29 would require the review of the Executive Branch in accordance with § 110.41(a)(9).
Section 110.43, Import licensing criteria. The proposed rule would amend § 110.43 to clarify that, with respect to the import of radioactive waste, the NRC consults with the host State(s), and, if applicable, the appropriate low-level waste compact commission(s) to confirm that an appropriate facility has agreed to accept and is authorized to possess the waste for management or disposal. Commission policy, as noted in the 1995 final rule on the export and import of radioactive waste, states that:
The NRC will not grant an import license for waste intended for disposal unless it is clear that the waste will be accepted by a disposal facility, host State, and compact (where applicable). This will be part of the determination regarding the appropriateness of the facility that has agreed to accept the waste for management or disposal.
See Final Rule, Import and Export of Radioactive Waste, 60 FR 27556 (July 21, 1995). This proposed change would address the questions that the NRC receives on the scope of the host State and low-level waste compact commission's (if applicable) role regarding the NRC's review of import applications for radioactive waste.
Additionally, the proposed rule would amend § 110.43 to remove the import licensing criteria related to the imports of radioactive material listed in Appendix P. This change conforms § 110.43 with the proposed change to allow Category 1 and Category 2 quantities of radioactive materials to be imported under a general license. This change is discussed in more detail in Section I.A to this document and in the section-by-section analysis for § 110.27.
Section 110.44, Physical security standards. The proposed rule would correct the Web site reference for the National Archives and Records Administration. Changes are proposed to § 110.44(b)(1) that would clarify that the Commission determinations on the adequacy of physical security measures are based on receipt by the appropriate U.S. Executive Branch agency of written assurances from the relevant recipient country governments that physical security measures for providing protection at least comparable to the recommendations set forth in INFCIRC/225/Rev. 4 (corrected).
Section 110.45, Issuance or denial of license. The proposed rule would amend this section to remove the parenthetical text in paragraph (a) that states “If an Executive Order provides an exemption pursuant to section 126a of the Atomic Energy Act, proposed exports to EURATOM countries are not required to meet the criteria in § 110.42(a)(4) and (5)”. This is no longer needed because the Agreement for Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy Between the European Energy Community (EURATOM) and the United States of America that went into effect in 1995 obviates the need for a presidential exemption.
The proposed rule would make conforming changes to paragraph (b)(4), which would be consistent with the proposed changes to § 110.43(d), regarding the issuance of an import license of radioactive waste. Paragraph (b)(5) would be removed to eliminate the criteria related to the imports of radioactive material listed in Appendix P to 10 CFR Part 110. This change would conform § 110.45 with the proposed change to allow Category 1 and Category 2 quantities of radioactive materials to be imported under a general license. This change is discussed in more detail in Section I.A to this document and in the section-by-section analysis for § 110.27. Additionally, § 110.45(d) would be amended to clarify that the provisions in this paragraph do not apply to Commission decisions regarding license applications for specific licenses to export radioactive material listed in Table 1 of Appendix P to 10 CFR Part 110.
Section 110.50, Terms. The proposed rule would make several editorial, clarifying, and conforming changes to this section. In paragraph (a)(1), proposed changes would clarify that each license is subject to all applicable provisions of the Atomic Energy Act or other applicable law. Paragraph (a)(4) would be rewritten and renumbered (a)(5) to make clear that each license issued by the NRC for the export or import of nuclear material authorizes only the export or import of that nuclear material and accompanying packaging, fuel element, hardware, or other associated devices or products. Paragraph (b)(5) would be revised to remove reference to 10 CFR Parts 40, 70, 71, and 73 and renumbered as paragraph (a)(3). This license term applies to both general and specific licenses and should be found in paragraph (a).
In paragraph (b)(2), proposed changes would clarify that a licensee may export or import only for the purpose(s) and/or end-use(s) stated in the specific export or import license issued by the NRC. Paragraph (b)(3) would be amended by adding a new paragraph (b)(3)(i) and renumbering current paragraphs (b)(3)(i) and (b)(3)(ii) as (b)(3)(ii) and (b)(3)(iii), respectively. New paragraph (b)(3)(i) would clarify that prior to shipment of certain nuclear material or equipment that has associated with it export controls imposed by other countries (foreign-obligated material or equipment), a license amendment may be required to authorize the shipment. Alternatively, the licensee could give the NRC 40 days Start Printed Page 29620advance notice of the intended shipment.
Paragraph (b)(4) would be redesignated as new paragraph (c) and would include the requirements for advanced notifications related to the export or import of radioactive material listed in Table 1 of Appendix P to 10 CFR Part 110. Proposed changes to the advance notification requirements would conform this section with the proposed change to allow Category 1 and Category 2 quantities of radioactive materials to be imported under a general license. This change is discussed in more detail in Section I.A of this document and in the section-by-section analysis for § 110.27. Additionally, editorial changes are proposed to update the Web site information for the Office of International Programs and to provide specific details on where to send the information required for export and import notifications.
Section 110.51, Amendment and renewal of licenses. The proposed rule would amend § 110.51 to separate the requirements for license amendments and renewals into separate paragraphs. This proposed change would clarify the differences in requirements between amendment and renewal requests and improve readability of the section. No substantive changes are proposed.
Section 110.53, United States address, records, and inspections. The proposed rule would clarify that both general and specific licensees are required to have an office in the United States where papers may be served and where records required by the Commission will be maintained. Also, it is proposed to add similar clarifying language to paragraph (b) of this section that license applicants and both general and specific licenses shall maintain records concerning its exports and imports. Clarifying language would also be added that byproduct material records must be retained for three years after the date of each export or import shipment.
Sections 110.60, Violations, 110.66, Enforcement hearing, and 110.67, Criminal penalties. Proposed changes would make non-substantive changes for purposes of consistency and clarification.
Section 110.70, Public notice of receipt of an application. The proposed rule would amend this section to clarify that the Commission will publish in the Federal Register a notice of receipt for applications for amendment or renewal for the export of the nuclear equipment and material listed in § 110.70(b)(1) through (b)(5) and for applications for amendment or renewal for the import of radioactive waste. Once a notice has been published, the Commission would not publish in the Federal Register proposed minor amendments to the application or license. Proposed minor amendments would be posted on NRC's Web site.
Section 110.80, Basis for hearings. The proposed rule would amend this section to correct the omission of the word import from the section. This change would clarify that the procedures in 10 CFR Part 110 constitute the exclusive basis for hearings on export and import license applications.
Section 110.81, Written comments. Proposed changes would clarify that 30 days after public notice of receipt of the application means 30 days after the application is posted on the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc.gov or in the Federal Register for those applications required to be published in the Federal Register.
Section 110.82, Hearing request or intervention petition. This section would be amended to add language stating that hearing requests and intervention petitions are considered timely when filed no later than 30 days after publication of notice on the NRC Web site. This change would be consistent with § 110.70, which states that the Commission will notice the receipt of each specific license application for an export or import by making a copy available at the NRC Web site, http://www.nrc.gov. Paragraphs (c)(2) and (c)(3) would be renumbered accordingly.
Section 110.112, Reporter and transcript for an oral hearing. The proposed rule would clarify the scope of information that will be made available at the NRC Web site or Public Document Room. Any portions of the transcript for an oral hearing containing classified information, Restricted Data, Safeguards information, proprietary information, or other sensitive unclassified information will not be made available to the public.
Appendix L would be amended by revising the list of byproduct material to include several radionuclides that are now classified as byproduct material as a result of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which expanded the definition of byproduct material in Section 11e. of the Atomic Energy Act.
The NRC has determined that this final rule is the type of action described in categorical exclusion 10 CFR 51.22(c)(1). Therefore, neither an environmental impact statement nor an environmental assessment has been prepared for this proposed rule.Start Printed Page 29621
This proposed rule decreases the information collection burden on licensees to update, clarify, and correct several provisions. The public burden for this information collection is estimated to be a reduction of 6 hours, which is insignificant. Because the burden for this information collection is insignificant, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval of the proposed rule is not required. Existing requirements were approved by the Office of Management and Budget, approval number 3150-0036.
The NRC is proposing to amend its regulations that govern the export and import of nuclear equipment and material. In addition to updating, clarifying, and correcting several provisions, the proposed rule would allow Category 1 and 2 quantities of material to be imported, and a general license.
A copy of the NRC Form 670, “Information Required for Making an Insignificant Burden Determination To Support a Decision That OMB Clearance Is Not Required,” may be viewed free of charge at the NRC Public Document Room, One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Room O-1 F21, Rockville, MD 20852. The NRC Form 670 and rule are available at the NRC worldwide Web site: http://www.nrc.gov/​public-involve/​doc-comment/​omb/​index.html for 60 days after the signature date of this notice.
Send comments on any aspect of these proposed information collections, including suggestions for reducing the burden and on the above issues, by July 23, 2009 to the Records and FOIA/Privacy Services Branch (T-5 F52), U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, or by Internet electronic mail to INFOCOLLECTS.RESOURCE@NRC.GOV and to Christine J. Kymn, the Desk Officer, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, NEOB-10202, (3150-0036), Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503. Comments received after this date will be considered if it is practical to do so, but assurance of consideration cannot be given to comments received after this date. You may also e-mail comments to Christine_J._KymnAomb.eop.gov or comment by telephone at 202-395-4638.
The NRC is proposing to amend its regulations at 10 CFR Part 110 to update, clarify, and correct several provisions in an effort to improve NRC's regulatory framework for the export and import of nuclear equipment, material, and radioactive waste. Most of these changes are administrative in nature and would result in no changes to the information collection burden or costs to the public. In addition to updating, clarifying and correcting several provisions of 10 CFR Part 110, this proposed rule would allow imports of Category 1 and 2 quantities of material under a general license instead of a specific license. The proposed rule would also revise the definition of “radioactive waste.” In addition, the Commission is proposing to delete the definition of “incidental radioactive material” and incorporate aspects of it in the revised definition of “radioactive waste.” These proposed changes to 10 CFR Part 110 will facilitate the licensing process for exports and imports of radioactive waste and improve the efficiency and consistency of licensing actions. These changes are not expected to result in a significant increase to the information collection burden or costs to the public.
As required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, (5 U.S.C. 605(b)), the Commission certifies that this rule would not, if promulgated, have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. This rule would affect only companies exporting or importing nuclear equipment, material, and radioactive waste to and from the United States and do not fall within the scope of the definition of “small entities” set forth in the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601(3)), or the Size Standards established by the NRC (10 CFR 2.810).
The NRC has determined that a backfit analysis is not required for this rule because these amendments would not involve any provisions that would impose backfits as defined in 10 CFR Chapter I.
For the reasons set out in the preamble and under the authority of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended; the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, as amended; and 5 U.S.C. 553, the NRC is proposing to adopt the following amendments to 10 CFR Part 110.
Authority: Secs. 51, 53, 54, 57, 63, 64, 65, 81, 82, 103, 104, 109, 111, 126, 127, 128, 129, 134, 161, 181, 182, 183, 187, 189, 68 Stat. 929, 930, 931, 932, 933, 936, 937, 948, 953, 954, 955, 956, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2071, 2073, 2074, 2077, 2092-2095, 2111, 2112, 2133, 2134, 2139, 2139a, 2141, 2154-2158, 2201, 2231-2233, 2237, 2239); sec. 201, 88 Stat. 1242, as amended (42 U.S.C. 5841; sec 5, Pub. L. 101-575, 104 Stat 2835 (42 U.S.C. 2243); sec. 1704, 112 Stat. 2750 (44 U.S.C. 3504 note); Energy Policy Act of 2005; Pub. L. 109-58, 119 Stat. 594 (2005).
2. In § 110.1, paragraphs (b)(2), (b)(3), (b)(4) and (b)(5) are revised to read as follows:
b. The definitions of “Agreement for cooperation”, “Atomic Energy Act”, “Classified Information”, “Conversion facility”, “Depleted uranium”, “Effective kilograms of special nuclear material”, “Embargoed”, “Executive Branch”, “General license”, “Heels”, “Medical isotope”, “Natural uranium”, “Non-Nuclear Weapons State”, “NRC Public Document Room”, “Obligations”, “Physical security”, “Radioactive waste”, “Radiopharmaceutical”, “Recipient Country”, “Restricted destinations”, and “Specific license” are revised; and
Non-Nuclear Weapon State means any State not a nuclear weapon State as defined in the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Nuclear Weapon State means any State which has manufactured and exploded a nuclear weapon or other nuclear explosive device prior to January 1, 1967. (China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, United States)
NRC Public Document Room means the facility at One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike (first floor), Rockville, Maryland, where certain public records of the NRC that were made available for public inspection in paper or microfiche prior to the implementation of the NRC Agencywide Documents Access and Management System, commonly referred to as ADAMS, will remain available for public inspection. It is also the place where NRC makes computer terminals available to access the Publicly Start Printed Page 29623Available Records System (PARS) component of ADAMS on the NRC Web site, http://www.nrc.gov, and where copies can be viewed or ordered for a fee as set forth in § 9.35 of this chapter. The facility is staffed with reference librarians to assist the public in identifying and locating documents and in using the NRC Web site and ADAMS. The NRC Public Document Room is open from 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on Federal holidays. Reference service and access to documents may also be requested by telephone (301-415-4737 or 800-397-4209) between 8:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m., or by e-mail (PDR.Resource@nrc.gov), facsimile (301-415-3548), or letter (NRC Public Document Room, One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike (first floor), Rockville, Maryland 20852-2738).
Obligations means the commitments undertaken by the U.S. Government under Atomic Energy Act section 123 agreements for cooperation in the peaceful uses of atomic energy. Imports and exports of material or equipment pursuant to such agreements are subject to these commitments, which in some cases involve an exchange of information on imports, exports, retransfers with foreign governments, peaceful end-use assurances, and other conditions placed on the transfer of the material or equipment. The U.S. Government informs the licensee of obligations attached to material or equipment being imported into the U.S. and approves changes to those obligations.
Radioactive waste, for the purposes of this part, means any material that contains or is contaminated with source, byproduct, or special nuclear material that by its possession would require a specific radioactive material license in accordance with this Chapter and is imported or exported for the purposes of disposal in a land disposal facility as defined in 10 CFR Part 61, a disposal area as defined in Appendix A to 10 CFR Part 40, or an equivalent facility; or recycling, waste treatment or other waste management process that generates radioactive material for disposal in a land disposal facility as defined in 10 CFR Part 61, a disposal area as defined in Appendix A to10 CFR Part 40, or an equivalent facility. Radioactive waste does not include radioactive material that is—
(1) Contained in a sealed source, or device containing a sealed source, that is being returned to a manufacturer, distributor or other entity which is authorized to receive and possess the sealed source or the device containing a sealed source;
(2) A contaminant on any non-radioactive material used in a nuclear facility (including service tools and protective clothing), if the material is being shipped for recovery and beneficial use of the non-radioactive material in a nuclear facility and not solely for waste management purposes or disposal.
(3) Exempted from regulation by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission or equivalent Agreement State regulations.
(4) Generated or used in a U.S. Government waste research and development testing program under international arrangements; or
(5) Being returned by or for the U.S. Government or military to a facility that is authorized to possess the material.
Restricted destinations means countries that are listed in 10 CFR 110.29 based on recommendations from the Executive Branch. These countries may receive exports of certain materials and quantities under a general license, but some exports to restricted destinations will require issuance of a specific license by the NRC including Executive Branch review pursuant to § 110.41.
4. Section 110.4 is revised to read as follows:
Except where otherwise specified in this part, all communications and reports concerning the regulations in this part should be addressed to the Deputy Director of the NRC's Office of International Programs, either by telephone to 301-415-2344; by mail to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001; by hand delivery to the NRC's offices at 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852; or, where practicable, by electronic submission, for example, via Electronic Information Exchange, or CD-ROM. Electronic submissions must be made in a manner that enables the NRC to receive, read, authenticate, distribute, and archive the submission, and process and retrieve it a single page at a time. Detailed guidance on making electronic submissions can be obtained by visiting the NRC's Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/​site-help/​e-submittals.html, by e-mail to EIE.Resource@nrc.gov, or by writing the Office of Information Services, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001. The guidance discusses, among other topics, the formats the NRC can accept, the use of electronic signatures, and the treatment of nonpublic information.
5. Section 110.6 is revised to read as follows:
(a) Retransfer of any nuclear equipment listed in § 110.8, source material, or special nuclear material, including special nuclear material produced through the use of U.S.-obligated equipment, requires authorization by the Department of Energy, unless the export to the new destination is authorized by the NRC under a specific or general license or an exemption from licensing requirements. Under certain agreements for cooperation, Department of Energy authorization also is required for the retransfer of special nuclear material produced through the use of non-U.S.-supplied nuclear material in U.S.-supplied utilization facilities. Department of Energy authorization is also required for the retransfer of obligated nuclear equipment and material (see definition of “obligations” in § 110.2).
(b) Requests for authority to retransfer are processed by the Department of Start Printed Page 29624Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration, Office of International Regimes and Agreements, Washington, DC 20585.
6. In § 110.7, paragraph (c) is revised to read as follows:
7. In § 110.7a, paragraph (b) is revised to read as follows:
(b) Each licensee or applicant for a license shall notify the Commission of information identified by the applicant or licensee as having for the regulated activity a significant implication for public health and safety or common defense and security. An applicant or licensee violates this paragraph if the applicant or licensee fails to notify the Commission of information that the applicant or licensee has identified as having a significant implication for public health and safety or common defense and security. Notification shall be provided to the Administrator of the appropriate Regional Office within two working days of identifying the information. This requirement is not applicable to information which is already required to be provided to the Commission by other reporting or updating requirements.
8. In § 110.10, paragraph (c) is revised to read as follows:
9. Section 110.11 is revised to read as follows:
10. Section 110.19 is revised to read as follows:
11. In § 110.20, paragraphs (a) and (d) are revised to read as follows:
12. In § 110.21 paragraph (e) is removed and paragrahs (a)(3), (a)(4), (b), and (c) are revised to read as follows:
(1) Special nuclear material, other than plutonium-236 and plutonium-238, in individual shipments of 0.001 effective kilogram or less (e.g., 1.0 gram of plutonium, uranium-233 or uranium-235, or 10 kilograms of 1 percent enriched uranium), not to exceed 0.1 effective kilogram per year to any one country.
(c) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, a general license is issued to any person to export plutonium-236 or plutonium-238 to any country listed in § 110.30 in individual shipments of 1 gram or less, not to exceed 100 grams per year to any one country.
13. Section 110.22 is revised to read as follows:
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (f) of this section, a general license is issued to any person to export the following to any country not listed in § 110.28:
(1) Uranium or thorium, other than uranium-230, uranium-232, thorium-227, and thorium-228, in any substance in concentrations of less than 0.05 percent by weight.Start Printed Page 29625
(b) Except as provided in paragraph (f) of this section, a general license is issued to any person to export uranium or thorium, other than uranium-230, uranium-232, thorium-227, or thorium-228, in individual shipments of 10 kilograms or less to any country not listed in § 110.28 or § 110.29, not to exceed 1,000 kilograms per year to any one country or 500 kilograms per year to any one country when the uranium or thorium is Canadian-obligated.
(c) A general license is issued to any person to export uranium, enriched to less than 20 percent in uranium-235, in the form of uranium hexafluoride (UF6) heels in cylinders being returned to suppliers in EURATOM.
(d) Except as provided in paragraph (f) of this section, a general license is issued to any person to export uranium or thorium, other than uranium-230, uranium-232, thorium-227, or thorium-228, in individual shipments of 1 kilogram or less to any country listed in § 110.29, not to exceed 100 kilograms per year to any one country.
(e) Except as provided in paragraph (f) of this section, a general license is issued to any person to export uranium-230, uranium-232, thorium-227, or thorium-228 in individual shipments of 10 kilograms or less to any country listed in § 110.30, not to exceed 1,000 kilograms per year to any one country or 500 kilograms per year to any one country when the uranium or thorium is Canadian-obligated.
(f) Paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e) of this section do not authorize the export under general license of source material in radioactive waste.
14. Section 110.23 is revised to read as follows:
(4) The general license is issued for exports of the following radionuclides when contained in a device, or a source for use in a device, in quantities of less than 3.7 × 10−3 TBq (100 millicuries) of alpha activity per device or source, unless the export is to a country listed in § 110.30:
(ii) For americium-241, exports under the general license to a country listed in § 110.29 that exceed 3.7 × 10−2 TBq (one curie) per shipment, must be contained in industrial process control equipment or petroleum exploration equipment in quantities not exceeding 0.60 TBq (16 curies) per device and not exceeding 7.4 TBq/year (200 curies/year) to any one country.
(iii) All exports of americium are subject to the reporting requirements listed in paragraph (b) of this section.
(6) For neptunium-235 and -237, exports under the general license must not exceed one gram for individual shipment and must not exceed a cumulative total of 10 grams per year to any one country. All exports of neptunium are subject to the reporting requirements listed in paragraph (b) of this section.
(8)(i) For tritium in any dispersed form (e.g., luminescent light sources and paint, accelerator targets, calibration standards, labeled compounds), exports under the general license must not exceed 0.37 TBq (10 curies (1.03 milligrams)) per item, not to exceed 37 TBq (1,000 curies (103 milligrams)) per shipment, or 370 TBq (10,000 curies (1.03 grams)) per year to any one country.
(ii) For tritium in any dispersed form (e.g., luminescent light sources and paint, accelerator targets, calibration standards, labeled compounds), exports under the general license to the countries listed in § 110.30 must not exceed the quantity of 1.48 TBq (40 curies (4.12 milligrams)) per item, not to exceed 37 TBq (1,000 curies (103 milligrams)) per shipment or 370 TBq (10,000 curies (1.03 grams)) per year to any one country.
(iii) For tritium in luminescent safety devices installed in an aircraft, exports under the general license must not exceed 1.48 TBq (40 curies (4.12 milligrams) per light source.
(b) Persons making exports under the general license established by paragraph (a) of this section or under a specific license shall submit by February 1 of each year one copy of a report of all americium and neptunium shipments during the previous calendar year. This report shall be submitted to the Deputy Director, Office of International Programs at the address provided in § 110.4. The report must include:
(1) A description of the material, including quantity in TBq and grams;
15. Section 110.24 is revised to read as follows:
(a) A general license is issued to any person to export to any country not listed in § 110.28 or § 110.29 deuterium in individual shipments of 10 kilograms Start Printed Page 29626or less (50 kilograms of heavy water). No person may export more than 200 kilograms (1,000 kilograms of heavy water) per year to any one country.
(b) A general license is issued to any person to export to any country listed in § 110.29 deuterium in individual shipments of 1 kilogram or less (5 kilograms of heavy water). No person may export more than 5 kilograms (25 kilograms of heavy water) per year to any one country listed in § 110.29.
16. Section 110.25 is added and reserved.
17. Section 110.26 is revised to read as follows:
(1) The component can be used in a light or heavy water-moderated power or research reactor; or
(e) Persons making exports under the general license established by paragraph (a) of this section shall submit by February 1 of each year one copy of a report of all components shipped during the previous calendar year. This report must include:
18. In § 110.27, paragraphs (a), (b), and (f) are revised to read as follows:
(b) The general license in paragraph (a) of this section does not authorize the import of source or special nuclear material in the form of irradiated fuel if the total weight of the material exceeds 100 kilograms per shipment.
19. Section 110.30 is amended by adding “China”, “Croatia”, “Estonia”, “Kazakhstan”, “Lithuania”, and “Malta” in alphabetical order.
20. Section 110.31 is revised to read as follows:
(b) Applications for export, import, combined export/import, amendment or renewal licenses or a request for an exemption from a licensing requirement under 10 CFR Part 110 shall be filed on NRC Form 7.
(c) An application for a specific license to export or import or a request for an exemption from a licensing requirement must be accompanied by the appropriate fee in accordance with the fee schedule in § 170.21 and § 170.31 of this chapter. A license application will not be processed unless the specified fee is received.
21. Section 110.32 is revised to read as follows:
(d) Names and addresses of all intermediate and ultimate consignees, other than intermediate consignees performing shipping services only.Start Printed Page 29627
(5) For proposed exports or imports of radioactive waste, the volume, physical and chemical characteristics, route of transit of shipment, classification (as defined in § 61.55 of this chapter) if imported or exported for direct disposal, and ultimate disposition (including forms of management or treatment) of the waste.
(6) For proposed imports of radioactive waste, the industrial or other process responsible for generation of the waste, and the status of the arrangements for disposition (e.g., any agreement by a low-level waste compact commission or State to accept the material for management purposes or disposal).
22. Section 110.40 is revised to read as follows:
(b) The Commission shall review a license application for export of the following:
(2) More than five effective kilograms of high-enriched uranium, plutonium or uranium-233.
23. In § 110.41, paragraphs (a)(2) and (a)(10) are revised to read as follows:
24. In § 110.43, paragraphs (e) and (f) are removed and paragraph (d) is revised to read as follows:
(d) With respect to the import of radioactive waste, an appropriate facility has agreed to accept and is authorized to possess the waste for management or disposal as confirmed by NRC consultations with the host State(s) and, if applicable, the low-level waste compact commission(s).
25. Section 110.44 is revised to read as follows:
(a) Physical security measures in recipient countries must provide protection at least comparable to the recommendations in the current version of IAEA publication INFCIRC/225/Rev. 4 (corrected), June 1999, “The Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and Nuclear Facilities,” and is incorporated by reference in this part. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Office of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Notice of any changes made to the material incorporated by reference will be published in the Federal Register. Copies of INFCIRC/225/Rev. 4 may be obtained from the Deputy Director, Office of International Programs, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, and are available for inspection at the NRC library, 11545 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Start Printed Page 29628Maryland 20852-2738. A copy is available for inspection at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/​federal_​register/​cfr/​ibr-locations.html.
26. In § 110.45, paragraphs (a), (b) and (d) are revised to read as follows:
(a) The Commission will issue an export license if it has been notified by the State Department that it is the judgment of the Executive Branch that the proposed export will not be inimical to the common defense and security; and
(1) Finds, based upon a reasonable judgment of the assurances provided and other information available to the Federal government, that the applicable criteria in § 110.42, or their equivalent, are met; or
(4) With respect to a proposed import of radioactive waste, an appropriate facility has agreed to accept and is authorized to possess the waste for management and disposal as confirmed by NRC consultations with the host State and, if applicable, the low-level waste compact commission.
27. Section 110.50 is revised to read as follows:
(a) General and specific licenses. (1) Each license is subject to all applicable provisions of the Atomic Energy Act or other applicable law and to all applicable rules, regulations, decisions and orders of the Commission.
(2) The NRC's office responsible for receiving advance notifications for all export and import shipments is the NRC Operations Center. Notifications are to be e-mailed to Hoo.Hoc@nrc.gov (preferred method) or faxed to 301-816-5151. In the subject line of the e-mail or on the fax cover page include “10 CFR 110.50(c) Notification.” To contact the NRC Operations Center, use the same e-mail address or call 301-816-5100. Difficulties notifying the NRC Operations Center must be promptly reported to the Office of International Programs at 301-415-2336.Start Printed Page 29629
(3) Notifications may be electronic or in writing on business stationery, and must contain or be accompanied by the information which follows.
(G) Shipment date;
(H) A copy of the foreign recipient's authorization or confirmation of that authorization from the government of the importing country as required by § 110.32(h) unless the authorization has already been provided to the NRC.
(G) Shipment date from exporting facility and estimated arrival date at the end use location;
28. Section 110.51 is revised to read as follows:
(a) Amendments. (1) Applications for amendment of a specific license shall be filed on NRC Form 7 in accordance with §§ 110.31 and 110.32 and shall specify the respects in which the licensee desires the license to be amended and the grounds for such amendment.
(b) Renewals. (1) Applications for renewal of a specific license shall be filed on NRC Form 7 in accordance with §§ 110.31 and 110.32.
29. In § 110.53, paragraphs (a) and (b)(1) are revised to read as follows:
(2) For any violation for which a license may be revoked under section 186 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954.
(a) Section 223 of the Atomic Energy Act provides for criminal sanctions for willful violation of, attempted violation of, or conspiracy to violate, any regulation issued under sections 161b., 161i., or 161o. of the Atomic Energy Act. For purposes of section 223, all the regulations in part 110 are issued under one or more of sections 161b, 161i, or 161o, except for the sections listed in paragraph (b) of this section.
(b) The Commission will also publish in the Federal Register a notice of receipt of each license application, including applications for amendment or renewal but not applications for minor amendments, to export the following:
(1) A production or utilization facility.Start Printed Page 29630
(c) The Commission will also publish in the Federal Register a notice of receipt of a license application, including applications for amendment or renewal but not applications for minor amendments, for an import of radioactive waste for which a specific license is required.
38. Appendix L to part 110 is amended by adding “Carbon 11 (C 11)”, “Cesium 129 (Cs 129)”, “Cobalt 57 (Co 57)”, “Gallium 67 (Ga 67)”, “Gold 195 (Au 195)”, “Indium 111 (In 111)”, “Iodine 123 (I 123)”, “Iron 52 (Fe 52)”, “Nitrogen 13 (N 13)”, “Oxygen 15 (O 15)”, “Potassium 43 (K 43)”, “Rubidium 81 (Rb 81)”, “Yttrium 87 (Y 87)”, and “Yttrium 88 (Y 88)” in alphabetical order.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 17th day of June 2009.
[FR Doc. E9-14679 Filed 6-22-09; 8:45 am]