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• Nuclear Security Contacts

International Framework

The UK is a party to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (see 'External Links), which came into force in 1987. Broadly speaking, the Convention obliges those countries which are parties to it to meet defined standards of physical protection for international transport of nuclear material and to co-operate in the recovery and protection of stolen nuclear material. It also promotes international co-operation in the exchange of information relating to physical protection systems for nuclear material in international transport. Responsibility for establishing and operating a comprehensive physical protection system for nuclear facilities and nuclear material in use, storage or transport rests with the State. The International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) document "The Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and Nuclear Facilities" (INFCIRC/225/Rev4) (see 'External Links) provides a useful basis for guiding States in designing, implementing and regulating a system of physical protection for their sites and transport of different categories of nuclear material. The UK follows this guidance closely in its own domestic regime. The Office for Civil Nuclear Security (OCNS), which is part of the Health and Safety Executive, functions as the UK’s competent security authority as recommended in INFCIRC/225/Rev4.

The UK has assisted the IAEA for many years in its programme designed to improve standards of nuclear security worldwide by providing experts from OCNS to contribute to the drafting and revision of its guidance documents, for the International Physical Protection Advisory Service missions and for training courses on physical protection run by the IAEA. The UK, through OCNS, has also provided some bilateral assistance to a few countries to upgrade the physical protection systems at some of their more sensitive facilities. As part of its commitment to the G8 Global Partnership Initiative against the spread of weapons and materials of mass destruction, the UK is continuing to develop its strategy for improving nuclear security in Russia and former Soviet Union states.