News Releases
Canada Signs Agreement with Italy on the Import and Export of Radioactive Sources
12-09
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 9, 2012
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has signed an administrative arrangement with the Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA) of Italy to harmonize regulatory controls on the import and export of radioactive sources.
Administrative arrangements establish measures to ensure that imports and exports of Category 1 and 2 radioactive sources between Canada and its bilateral partners are conducted in a manner consistent with requirements under the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources (PDF) (the Code) and the IAEA's Guidance on the Import and Export of Radioactive Sources (PDF) (the Guidance).
Canada is a world leader in the manufacture and export of Category 1 and 2 radioactive sources that are subject to the provisions of the Code and Guidance. The Government of Canada is a leading proponent of establishing and maintaining an effective, efficient and harmonized international regime to ensure the safety and security of such sources. The Government of Italy equally shares this view, as evidenced by its contributions to the development of the Code and Guidance and its efforts to adopt best practices related to the transfer and control of Category 1 and 2 sources.
“I am very pleased to have concluded this arrangement with the CNSC's Italian regulatory counterpart,” said CNSC President Michael Binder. “These arrangements are important instruments for implementing the IAEA Code and Guidance. They demonstrate our continued efforts to meet Canada's international commitments and are evidence of the strong working relationship our countries share regarding nuclear safety and security.”
The signing of the administrative arrangement with ISPRA contributes to the efforts and commitments the organizations and their governments have made to the establishment of a harmonized international regime to ensure the safety and security of Category 1 and 2 radioactive sources.
Containers for safely transporting cobalt 60.
Cobalt-60 is one of the isotopes targeted by these types of Arrangements. Its gamma radiation is widely used around the world to sterilize food, medical equipment and plays an important role in the treatment of cancer. Canada is one of the most important producers of Cobalt-60, which is produced here in CANDU reactors.
Photo: Nordion Inc.
For additional information, consult our Web site or contact:
Aurèle Gervais
CNSC Media Relations
613-996-6860