A collective voice for industry
Industry's ability to have its interests taken fully into
account is enhanced to the extent that it is heard speaking as one.
WNTI provides a dedicated channel to exchange information and
ideas, with a view to developing consolidated
positions.
The rationale on which WNTI was founded remains as valid today as
ever. Safe, efficient and reliable transport is vital to bring the
benefits of the peaceful uses of radioactive materials to where
they are wanted the world over. The primary focus for WNTI has been
meeting the objectives of safety, efficiency and reliability. WNTI
has established itself as an authoritative voice for industry in
key organisations including, the IAEA, the modal organisations such
as the IMO, and the various national authorities. This position has
been established through the consistent and dedicated application
of industry experience based on solid research and the development
of consolidated industry positions.
International co-operation
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
WNTI has observer status in the IAEA and as such attends meetings
of the Transport Safety Standards Committee (TRANSSC); the premier
body in the IAEA to recommend on transport safety regulation review
and implementation; and WNTI provides experts to assist in the
technical work of IAEA consultant service meetings set up to
develop positions. To cite one major example, we put forward a
Scientific Expert to work on the important Co-ordinated Research
Project on surface contamination. Another major study by WNTI
explained the adequacy of the regulatory test regime for packages.
The internationally agreed package test criteria were arrived at on
the basis of a great deal of scientific study and analysis in
several countries over many years. This study and analysis is well
documented. Industry is committed to meeting the agreed test
criteria and it is important that confidence is maintained in the
validity of these well-founded, scientifically-based
criteria.
International Maritime Organization (IMO)
The WNTI also has consultative status in the IMO, and registers
industry positions there in the appropriate committees and working
groups. Matters of potentially serious consequence for transport of
Class 7 materials can and do arise in the IMO - including, for
example, issues related to ship and port security and the
identification and tracking of ships. There is important overlap in
the work of the several organisations, often with transferable
experiences, information, and lessons to be learnt - the IMO and
IAEA respective work programmes addressing transport security
provide one notable example; that is why we think it important to
be engaged in these several processes.
WNTI industry working groups
WNTI's capacity to represent industry interests is due in large
part to its focus on transport issues from a very practical point
of view, and developing consolidated industry positions to
address them. The WNTI TS-R-1 Industry Working Group addresses the
whole range of regulation implementation and review issues, the
WNTI waste and spent fuel transport industry working group reviews
issues related to decommissioning and spent fuel transport,
the emergency preparedness and response industry working group
allows members to share practices in emergency preparedness and the
HEXT Industry Working Group takes up issues related to UF6
packaging.
WNTI task forces
The WNTI Work Programme responds to specific issues of concern
of its collective membership. For example, a WNTI industry-led
task force is working to find appropriate industry responses to the
issues of delays and denials to shipments. Another is exploring
possibilities for greater standardisation in the packaging, packing
and transport of uranium concentrates. In every case the agenda is
industry-driven.
All these activities are designed to support the work of the IAEA,
and other essential stakeholders such as national competent
authorities in ensuring safe, efficient and reliable transport.
This kind of regulator and operator collaboration is a very
important part of the process. They also are aimed at improving
efficiencies for industry without compromising safety.
Industry's voice is made more powerful when it is heard as one.
WNTI provides companies with a dedicated channel to develop
well-researched consolidated positions on practical issues of
concern to them, and to have those positions represented at key
international meetings where transport safety regulations are
reviewed.