WNTI carries forward a full and varied work programme into 2007. The IAEA two-year process of reviewing existing Transport Safety Regulations (TS-R-1) is expected to begin again and WNTI will play its part in representing Members intersts in a stable regulatory regime that assures safety. WNTI, with its Members, already has begun a consideration of operational experiences with the existing regime to ensure that it is well placed to contribute to the review process. WNTI also will encourage a rigorous safety/cost-benefit analysis to any proposals for regulatory change.
We are committed to sustaining the momentum built within the WNTI Task Forces on Uranium Concentrates, Criticality Assessment and Sustaining Shipments, building on the considerable progress made in 2006. The invitation in 2006 to WNTI to participate in the IAEA Steering Committee on Shipment Denials has opened up a special new opportunity to address the issues that can lead to shipment delays and denials. WNTI has applauded this effort within international organisations and will continue to give its full support to its and other efforts within international organisations, such as the IMO, to sustain Class 7 shipments. We will give particular attention to exploring possibilities for widening the net of existing training programmes to include a broader cross section of stakeholders in safe transport, from both government and industry.
Everyone benefits from greater harmonisation among the several instruments that make up the international transport safet regulatory regime. There was increased recognition of this in 2006 and progress has been made. WNTI will continue to support practical efforts to improve harmonisation, notably within the UN Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods and the IAEA.
Every three years government and industry worldwide come together at the PATRAM Conference to exchange information and ideas on how to assure continued safe and efficient packaging and transport of radioactive materials. WNTI looks forward to playing a prominent part in representing its Member companies' collective views at PATRAM scheduled to take place in Miami in October 2007.There will be continued research, publication and representation. Exchanges within intergovernmental organisations, with national competent authorities and collaboration with related industry organisations such as FORATOM, the NEI and WNA are essential and remain a priority.
