Reapplication of the Safeguards Act to depleted uranium in non-nuclear use

Description of issue

The, regulates possession
of nuclear material. The Nuclear Non-Proliferation (Safeguards) Amendment
Regulations 2002 (No.2) involved the reapplication of controls on depleted
uranium in non-nuclear use.

Depleted uranium in non-nuclear use was previously exempted from the application
of the Safeguards Act in 1990 for efficiency reasons as maintaining controls
on this material was considered to be of only minor safeguards benefit.
The international safeguards system has since been strengthened and this change
is now required for Australia to meet its treaty obligations to the International
Atomic Energy Agency under the strengthened regime.

The main impact on business is that holders of such material (e.g. as fabricated
components or equipment or as a laboratory reagent) will: need to obtain a
permit to possess nuclear material (no charge); keep accounts for their holdings;
control access to the material; and be subject to inspection in accordance
with the Safeguards Act.

Date of effect

31 October 2002

Date last modified

5 August 2011

Contact details

Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Tel: (02) 6261 1920 | Fax: (02) 6261 1908

Email: asno@dfat.gov.au