Public Involvement in Exports/Imports of Nuclear Material

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) was established by the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974. The NRC is an independent and transparent federal regulatory agency, created by Congress. The NRC regulates the Nation’s civilian commercial, industrial, academic, and medical uses of nuclear materials. The NRC also regulates and licenses the import and export of nuclear equipment, components, and radioactive materials. This licensing and regulating ensures adequate protection of public health and safety, promotes the common defense and security, and protects people and the environment, all in an open and public process. The NRC’s legal authority presides in the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act of 1978, and various treaties, conventions, and agreements. The NRC’s regulations in 10 CFR Part 110 (Part 110) reflect relevant treaties and agreements and apply to any person who exports or imports nuclear equipment and material, and authorizes the export or import only – and does not authorize receipt, acquisition, transfer, transport, or possession. Part 110 also provides for public review and comment. The agency works very closely and transparently with its international counterparts to enhance nuclear safety and security worldwide. One of the five principal regulatory functions of the NRC is Openness. Nuclear regulation is the public’s business, and it must be transacted publicly and candidly. NRC specific licenses require a written application with details from the applicant, and the license application form and guidance are available on NRC’s public website. The NRC license review process is public and written comments as well as requests for hearings or petitions to intervene, if any, must be addressed.