Group of Experts on Monitoring of Radioactively

Contaminated Scrap Metal 

Second SessionGeneva, 12-14 June 2006

United Nations Economic Commission for Europe(UNECE)

What brings us here today:

•2001: UNECE, EC and IAEA publication “Report on the Improvement of the Management of Radiation Protection in the Recycling of Metal Scrap”

•2003/4: UNECE questionnaire on current state of scrap metal radiation monitoring worldwide

•2004: 1. Session UNECE Group of Experts to discuss policies and experiences in monitoring and interception of radioactively contaminated scrap metal world-wide and to explore ways and means to facilitate and secure international trade and transport of scrap metal

•2005/6: UNECE questionnaire

•2006: 2. Session UNECE Group of Experts

Recommendations 1. Expert Group meeting

•Voluntary Protocol: Development of an international Protocol to increase the capture of radioactive material in scrap metal, to reduce potential contamination and to aid in the disposition of found materials

•Information exchange: Establishment of an international web portal

•Training: Preparation of international training and capacity-building programmes to address protocol implementation

Need for actionMonitoring radioactively contaminated scrap metal

Issues (1)

• Consumers and industry wants «radiation-free » goods• Increased use of recycled scrap metal• One of most actively traded commodities world-wide• Increased decommissioning of sites with potential

radiation hazards• Improved radiation detection devices• Increasing number of detectors and detections• Usually very low radiation levels involved and

associated health and environmental risks• However major economic, financial and trade

consequences of incidents

Need for actionMonitoring radioactively contaminated scrap metal

Issues (2)

• Regulations/guidance of radioactive sources and its transport by national and international authorities (IAEA, EC, UNECE, etc.)

• Before 2001, no international collaboration on monitoring, interception and management of radioactively contaminated scrap metal (1999 Spanis Protocol)

• Inter-sectoral and inter-departmental cooperation (commerce, trade faciliation, Customs, engineering, safety…)

• Potential security concerns

Aim of voluntary Protocol (1)

Substantive basis

Spanish Protocol for Collaboration on Radiation Monitoring

of Metals (1999)

UNECE, EC, IAEA Report on Management of Radiation

Protection in the Recycling of Metal Scrap (2001)

EU and IAEA regulations and « guidance »

Metal processing and recycling specifications (industry)

Aim of voluntary Protocol (2)

-> Ultimately to assist Governments and industries to effectively

monitor, intercept and respond to radioactive material in

scrap metal

– to encourage use of recycled materials; and

– to facilitate international trade and commerce of scrap metal without

compromising safety

The voluntary Protocol is not:

• NOT legally binding or compulsory

• NOT a Guidance document or Code of Conduct

• NOT a political or regulatory commitment on control measures, procedures and mechanisms

The voluntary Protocol is:

• Voluntary

• Compendium of best practices and alternatives

• Based on national/international regulations, standards and practices

• Expert opinion (regulatory and industry participation)

• Comprehensive approach (from demolition to melting)

• Identifies responsibilities, procedures and mechanisms

• Encourages national and international collaboration

• Framework for action by Governments and industry to develop their own strategies for safe use of metal scrap

ENDhttp://www.unece.org/trans/radiation/

radiation.html