
The iia to continue support of IAEA’s Denial of Shipment Working Group in 2025
The iia has confirmed that it will continue supporting the IAEA’s Denial of Shipment Working Group (DOS WG) in 2025. This support is a financial contribution to pay an expert consultant to manage the working group and its activities for a third year, following the same contribution made by the iia in 2023 and 2024.
The DOS WG was set up by the IAEA to consider options for addressing denials of or delays in shipment (DoS) of radioactive material with a view of achieving a timely resolution of this issue. At its inaugural meeting in January 2023 members of the DOS WG from IAEA Member States, international organisations and non-governmental organisations developed an action plan and appointed a leadership team to help meet the DOS WG objectives over a four year term.
Most recently, it is reported that 62 National Focal Points (NFP) have been appointed by IAEA Member States, an increase from 37 from April 2024. The role of NFPs is to coordinate and communicate at a national level with all stakeholders in the solution of denials and delays. This includes the development of a national action plan to solve denials, training in the area of shipment of radioactive material, and maintaining a national network for coordinating work related to the denials and delays of shipment of radioactive material.
The IAEA hosted a training course for NFP’s in November 2024 that achieved its goal of getting participants started on developing national action plans to address DoS. The course also discussed the important applications of irradiation and was an opportunity to share experience between NFPs. A second training course is planned for May 2025.
A second survey of industry and IAEA Member States was carried out earlier this month to gauge the level of awareness of DoS and to identify specific difficulties experienced. The responses from carriers in Asia, Europe and South America will be analysed to inform the future work of DOS WG.
A MOU between IAEA and ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) if being reviewed and cleared before signature. A similar MOU between IAEA and IMO (International Maritime Organization) is proposed to increase awareness and knowledge around DoS.
A presentation on transport facilitation will be given at PATRAM 2025 and a transport and DoS session will be included at NORM XI 2025 symposium. A further survey and the preparation of a DoS website and maritime e-learning material are additional priorities.