Raising awareness about protection and control of nuclear materials held by “small-scale holders”

IRSN, Direction de l’Expertise Nucléaire de Défense, 31 avenue de la Division Leclerc, 92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France

Received: 12 July 2012
Accepted: 13 July 2012

Abstract

In France, the activities carried out by the “small-scale holders” of nuclear materials are organized by a specific regulatory system which defines in a detailed way their obligations and the means of control of the government. The first part of the article presents the legal framework relating to the use of nuclear materials by small-scale holders in civilian fields. The importance of the declaration of the nuclear material inventory is clearly emphasized and must be prepared and transmitted to the Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN) every year. The second part describes how this declaration is used to provide basic information for the competent Ministry and the inspectors to check the correct application of the regulatory requirements relating to physical protection and to the control of nuclear materials. Finally, the last part presents the on-site inspections carried out by sworn and accredited inspectors under the authority of the competent Authority, which provide an overall picture and allow an evaluation of the risks of theft, loss or diversion of these materials.