This publication, IAEA Safety Standards Series No. SSR-6 (Rev. 1) – “Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material” (2018) is an international safety standard issued by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). It sets out detailed technical requirements for the safe transportation of radioactive materials, including nuclear waste, by road, rail, sea, or air.
The IAEA is a United Nations–affiliated body, and its safety standards are developed through international expert consensus to promote a high level of protection for people and the environment worldwide.
This document is not, by itself, a binding law in the United States or any other country. It does not directly authorize or prohibit projects. Instead, it functions as a global regulatory model and technical benchmark:
- It establishes uniform safety requirements for packaging, labeling, handling, and transporting radioactive materials.
- It defines how materials must be classified and contained to prevent radiation exposure during normal transport and accidents.
- It is widely used by national regulators (such as the U.S. Department of Transportation and NRC) as the basis for domestic regulations, meaning many U.S. rules closely mirror these standards.
- It helps countries meet their obligations under international agreements on nuclear safety and security.
While not enforceable on its own, it strongly influences how laws are written and applied.
