Replacement of the Agreement between the Government of Australia and the European
Atomic Energy Community concerning Transfers of Nuclear Material from Australia
to the European Energy Community

Description of issue

The Agreement between the Government of Australia and the European Atomic Energy Community concerning Transfers of Nuclear Material from Australia to the European Energy Community entered into force on 15 January 1982, and is due to expire on 15 January 2012. The Agreement can only be replaced in a treaty-level action. The Agreement provides for transfers of Australian uranium to designated European markets, however, it is limited in scope in that it only covers one-way transfers of Australian uranium to EU countries, and does not provide for cooperation in peaceful applications of nuclear technology. Australia has also entered into six separate agreements with countries which are part of the EU (i.e. UK, France, Finland, Sweden, Hungary and Czech Republic). These bilateral agreements have been maintained over the years because their coverage is wider in scope than the existing Agreement in that they provide for the two-way transfers of nuclear material, equipment and technology and for peaceful co-operation in nuclear activities. In 1993 and 1999 Australia also concluded additional exchanges with the EU, at treaty level, to formalise accounting arrangements applying to nuclear materials.

A Preliminary Assessment was submitted to the Office of Best Practice Regulation (OBPR) on 20 July 2010. OBPR advised that no further analysis was required because it is expected the extension will have no impact on business.

Expected timetable

Entry into force of the new agreement to replace the Agreement between the Government of Australia and the European Atomic Energy Community concerning Transfers of Nuclear Material from Australia to the European Energy Community is required before January 2012.

Date last modified

5 August 2011

Contact details

Dr Vanessa Masters,


Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Phone: (02) 6261 1920 |Fax: (02) 6261 1908

Email: asno@dfat.gov.au

Ms Corinne Tran,


Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Phone: (02) 6261 1920 |
Fax: (02) 6261 1908

Email: asno@dfat.gov.au