Call for volunteers for IAEA Consultancy Meeting for TECDOC on Safety Basis for IAEA Regulations for Safe Transport of Radioactive Material

As reported during the TRANSSC#52 meeting in June, the IAEA is progressing the development of the Safety Basis Document for the Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material (SSR-6) and is planning a Consultancy Meeting in October 2026.

The purpose of this document is to preserve and transfer institutional knowledge and provide the technical justification supporting the understanding, implementation, maintenance, and future development of SSR-6.

The Safety Basis Document is intended to:

• Provide a centralized repository for information on the historical background, technical rationale, and safety basis of the provisions of the Transport Regulations;
• Support understanding and consistent implementation of SSR-6;
• Facilitate the maintenance and future development of the Regulations;
• Be structured similarly to the Transport Regulations and their Advisory Material;
• Serve as a long-standing, non-mandatory reference document complementary to SSR-6.

The status of the document:

• The transfer of information from SSG-26 to SBD was completed.
• SSG-26 is a mix of guidance and other information, sometimes not written as guidance nor as safety basis. These need modification in both documents. While the text will be correct, it may not be complete due to the complexity and availability of information on previous revisions/amendments.
• Ongoing: rewording of draft SDB and drafting missing parts where possible.
• Drafting schedule remains aligned with SSG-26 revision to ensure consistency and avoid duplication.
• Then will move to another phase, when no general drafting will take place but the review and addressing comments received.

We are seeking volunteers, or nominations of suitable experts, to support this important work. In particular, we are looking for individuals with:

• Deep knowledge of the IAEA Transport Regulations (SSR-6) and their historical development;
• Understanding of the technical and safety basis underpinning the regulatory requirements;
• Strong drafting and technical writing skills;
• Expertise in criticality safety (highly desirable)