				Search Options
Index \| Site Map \| FAQ \| Facility Info \| Reading Rm \| New \| Help \| Glossary \| Contact Us

International Safeguards

As part of the global nuclear nonproliferation regime, the NRC participates in U.S. and international activities to account for and control nuclear material assigned to commercial and other peaceful purposes.

Although not required to do so under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, the U.S. voluntarily agreed to submit nuclear facilities to international safeguards to encourage participation of non-nuclear-weapon states in the treaty. Over 200 facilities licensed by the NRC have been placed on the list of U.S. Facilities Eligible for IAEA Safeguards. Six on the list are currently "selected" to submit accounting data to the IAEA; one of these undergoes IAEA inspections.

The NRC provides technical assistance to the IAEA and supports U.S. initiatives to extend and enhance international safeguards and verification programs.

The NRC participates in U.S. physical protection information exchanges with other countries. Teams of specialists visit facilities and hold discussions to ensure that special nuclear materials transferred between countries will be adequately protected in the recipient country. The NRC staff had a lead role in a September 2004 revision to the International Convention on the Physical Security of Nuclear Material.

Documents related to international safeguards may be found here , the Safeguards chapter of the IAEA Annual Report , and the U.S. Nuclear Materials Management and Safeguards System .