Speaker
Description
The objective of clarifying the scope of licensing and reviewing the regulatory authority's procedures is to ensure safe, transparent, and efficient licensing for the transport of radioactive materials by:
Reinforcing the importance of radioactive material transport licenses compared to other radiation practices.
Involving multiple entities (legal, financial, administrative, and audit) within the regulatory authority in issuing licenses to ensure strict oversight consistent with national and international standards.
Enhancing the role of digital oversight through systems such as RAIS 3.4 for the transport of radioactive materials.
Streamlining procedures by reducing the processing time for license applications through a parallel workflow while maintaining accurate reviews.
Nuclear and radioactive materials are transported worldwide for use in medicine, industry, research, and energy production. Vehicles carrying radioactive material travel through public areas, making them targets for thieves or susceptible to accidents and loss. So this indicates that transport is often the weakest link in the security chain, as adversaries may find it easier to intercept materials in transit than to breach a secure facility. So the transport of nuclear and radioactive materials is a critical process that requires the highest levels of security and safety. So the regulatory
In 2024, the National Commission for Nuclear, Radiological, Chemical, and Biological Control (I-NRC) supervised multiple transport operations of radioactive sources, amounting to more than 53,648 sources across different categories and security levels. All transport operations were conducted in accordance with national regulations and instructions issued by the I-NRC, and in line with the standards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The supervision process included prior review of transport plans, monitoring compliance with radiation safety and physical security requirements, and verifying the readiness of transport equipment. In addition, personnel involved in the transport operations were trained in emergency procedures and response measures for potential incidents.
No observations or incidents related to security discipline or safety were recorded, whether for the workers or the general public.
The radioactive material transport operations in Iraq have significantly increased in recent years, reflecting the growing use of radioactive sources, particularly in the medical sector and the industrial/oil sector
The I-NRC has upgraded its regulatory and oversight systems in line with the recommendations of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), including the implementation of the RAIS system and updated transport databases. Procedures for obtaining a transport license have been developed and simplified, while strictly adhering to national and international standards.
As a result of comprehensive safety and security measures, no radiological incidents have been recorded during transport operations over the studied period, underscoring the effectiveness of Iraq’s regulatory framework.
frameworks and corrective actions are applied (both national and international), and advanced security technologies are used (Locks, GPS tracking, radiation detection, tamper-evident containers, etc.).
