1. IAEA INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SAFE AND SECURE TRANSPORT OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL VIENNA, AUSTRIA, 17-21 OCTOBER 2011 REGULATORY FRAMEWORK AND CURRENT PRACTICES OF THE RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL – SAFE AND SECURE TRANSPORT IN ALBANIA K. Dollani, B. Grillo, E. Telhaj Centre of Applied Nuclear Physics, Tirana, Albania

2. CONTENT 1. Introduction 2. The transport regulatory framework 3. The current practices of the transport 4. Conclusions

3. First rules for the safe transport of the radioactive material in Albania were issued in 1972, based in the IAEA existing document After 1992 all existing radiation protection regulations were revised Albania actively participated in the IAEA Model Project launched in 1995 INTRODUCTION

4. A Regulatory Act was issued by Parliament in 1995 (amended in 2008) Based in this Act the National Radiation Protection Commission (NRPC) was established in 1996 In 2008 the National Nuclear Agency was established

5. REGULATORY FRAMEWORK Regulation for the transport of radioactive materials was prepared in 2004, based in the IAEA documents. For preparation of this regulation were consulted the group of interests as well the foreign specialists.

6. REGULATORY FRAMEWORK The regulation is based in the A1 and A2 values Types of packages are: exempted, industrial, type A and type B. Categorization of the packages is based in the dose ratio in the surface and in the distance 1m (transport index).

7. REGULATORY FRAMEWORK The transport of radioactive materials is carried out by the licensed subjects The transport is accompanied by a list of the documents for identification During the transport it is foreseen the presence of a radiation safety qualified person

8. REGULATORY FRAMEWORK The transport special vehicle have the sign of the radioactive danger in the outer surfaces There are some opinion if the sign ought to stamp in outer or inner surface of the special vehicle Last year regulation of the safe and secure transport issued as governmental ordinance (No. 488, date 23.06.2010)

9. CURRENT PRACTICE Implementation of the transport regulation is in charge of the NRPC For the transport the consignor ought to inform the NRPC in written form The licensed transport subject for every transport ought to have a special permission issued by NRPC on request

10. CURRENT PRACTICE For the imported or exported radioactive materials the customs authorities are obliged to have a copy of the transport permission, ensuring their safe and secure transport Albanian authorities are expressed their engagement to fulfill the IAEA Code of Conduct provisions for international transport of radioactive materials

11. CURRENT PRACTISE Issuing of the special transport permission – a good practice to have under control the radioactive materials movement inside the country Timely information on the transport of radioactive materials – less chances of radioactive materials loss

12. CURRENT PRACTISE Special permission allow authorities to update the national inventory of radioactive materials, especially for imported and exported sources Control on the transport process can influence the accidents decrease. For many years no accidents occurrence during the transport

13. CURRENT PRACTISE The transport of radioactive materials in Albania is carried out by three licensed subjects – a public (Centre of Applied Nuclear Physics) and two private Main activities of the transport are related with nuclear medicine (Mo-Tc generators), Ir-192, I-131 for therapy, Ir-192 for industrial radiography, Am-241/Be and Cs-137 for oil industry etc.

14. CURRENT PRACTISE Dissemination by regulatory authorities of the knowledge on safe and secure transport regulations among the users. Entering of the radioactive materials safe and secure transport elements in the educational universities programs and in the training courses

15. CONCLUSIONS Albania is in an on-going process related with preparation, revision and implementation of the radiation protection regulations Existence of the regulatory authority and the regulation for safe and secure transport materials, a solid base for exerting this activity in accordance with international standards

16. CONCLUSIONS Strengthening of the supervising activities of the transport process, as a tool for improvement and ensuring a safe and secure transport Educational and training process of the users as a sine qua non condition for developing a safe and secure transport of radioactive materials

17. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION