Kazakhstan Ratifies CIS Regulations on Radioactive Material Transport

The Majilis has approved an agreement governing the cross-border movement of radioactive materials within CIS countries, Orda.kz reports.

The document introduces unified rules for moving nuclear materials across the territories of CIS member states. According to Atomic Energy Agency Chair Almasadam Satkaliyev, one of the main goals is to enhance safety during transport.

The international transport of radioactive materials, which involves the territories of several countries, requires coordinated actions by authorized bodies of CIS member states, recognition of permits, and unified approaches to ensuring safety. Therefore, ratification of the agreement was necessary,
 the head of the agency clarified.

To prevent such situations, the transportation of such cargo is typically carried out in special transport packaging kits that are fully protected from biological, chemical, seismic, shock, explosive, and thermal impacts. All nuclear cargo is escorted, and certain types of cargo even require National Guard escort.

Under the agreement, in the event of an emergency, the carrier must have all necessary materials, equipment, protective clothing, and specialized gear on hand to eliminate the consequences of radiation leaks and territorial contamination.

If a larger-scale emergency occurs, the transit country, through the relevant ministries — in our case, the Ministry of Emergency Situations — must take all necessary measures to address the incident. All costs will be reimbursed by the shipper,
added the head of the atomic energy agency.

The agreement also requires shippers transporting radioactive materials across borders to obtain permits from the competent authorities of the exporting state, the transit country, and the destination state, in line with national legislation.

Physical protection during transport will be carried out under the laws of the participating states and relevant international instruments.

However, protection standards may not be lower than those established by the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and Nuclear Facilities of October 26, 1979.

Original Author: Anastasia Prilepskaya