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Certification of transport packages

Federal regulations require that some types of package designs be certified by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) before those packages are used in Canada. Packages must meet strict performance standards for shielding, containment and the ability to withstand accident conditions of transport.

CNSC staff carry out a technical review of the information once an application for the certification of the design of the package is submitted. Applicable test results are submitted to ensure that the package design meets the requirements set out in the regulations.

Overview

The CNSC regulates all aspects of the packaging of radioactive material through the Packaging and Transport of Nuclear Substances Regulations, 2015 (PTNSR 2015). This includes the design, production, use, inspection, maintenance and repair of packages.

The basic philosophy around transport safety is that safety relies primarily on the design of the transport package. This philosophy has guided the development of these regulations:

The robustness of the package designs, in combination with additional regulatory controls, allow nuclear substances to be transported safely in all modes of transport. The modes of transport include road, rail, air and sea transportation.

All nuclear substances are transported in packages that are selected based on the nature, form and quantity or activity of the nuclear substance. There are general design requirements that apply to all package types to ensure that they:

  • can be handled safely and easily
  • are secured properly
  • are able to withstand routine conditions of transport

The PTNSR 2015 requires that certain types of package designs be certified by the CNSC before those packages are used in Canada. To be certified by the CNSC, packages must meet strict performance standards for:

  • shielding
  • containment
  • ability to withstand accident conditions of transport

Key points

Note these key points about the certification of transport packages:

  • Transport safety is mainly ensured through robust package design.
  • Packages for transporting high-risk levels of radioactive material require CNSC certification and must pass rigorous tests.
  • Package testing can include free-drop testing, puncture testing, thermal testing and accident simulations.
  • Applications must include design, safety and maintenance information.
  • CNSC engineers conduct thorough, robust reviews of each application and consult specialists when needed.
  • Peer reviews and opportunities to be heard ensure the fairness and thoroughness of the certification process.

Packages for transporting low-risk levels of radioactive material

Type A packages are designed for the transport of low-risk levels of radioactive material. These packages do not require certification by the CNSC due to the low level of risk. These packages carry quantities that will have little or no impact on the health and safety of Canadians. The responsibility for meeting the regulations is with the consignor (sender).

The consignor must provide written demonstration that the package meets regulatory performance standards before they can be used in Canada. These standards are defined in the PTNSR 2015. Substances transported in these types of packages include:

  • surface-contaminated objects
  • portable gauges
  • medical isotopes
  • empty packages that may contain residual contamination

Packages for transporting high-risk levels of radioactive material

Packages designed for the transport of high-risk levels of radioactive material require certification by the CNSC before they can be used in Canada. The types of packages that require certification by the CNSC include:

  • Type B packages
  • Type C packages
  • Type H packages
  • packages used to transport fissile material (as defined in the SSR-6: Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material, 2018 Edition)

These packages are designed to transport nuclear substances such as sealed sources used for industrial radiography, used nuclear fuel and enriched uranium. Certified package designs can be used only to transport the specific substances for which they are designed.

Packages must meet strict performance standards for shielding, containment and the ability to withstand accident conditions of transport to be certified by the CNSC. The packages requiring certification undergo strict testing that must simulate both normal and accident conditions of transport. The tests can include free-drop, puncture and thermal testing, and accident simulations.

Testing methods in Canada are based on the requirements of the IAEA SSR-6, Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material, 2018 Edition. The following videos offer examples of international testing simulations performed on transport packages:

The CNSC requires that users of the package be registered for cases where the nuclear substances must be transported in certified transport packages. With this approach, only those who are registered by the CNSC to use a certified package can use it. Registration to use a certified package confirms that the registered person or company has the proper instructions to prepare the package for shipment.

Certification process

An application for the certification of the package design must be submitted for packages requiring approval by the CNSC. The certification process is identical for all packages requiring approval for use in Canada even if the design has been certified in another country.

Application requirements

The CNSC has cooperated with the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the United States Department of Transportation to produce an application guide. It is the RD-364, Joint Canada – United States Guide for Approval of Type B(U) and Fissile Material Transportation Packages. This application guide can be used for both a new application and revalidation of a U.S. package design in Canada.

An application typically contains information on:

  • structural design
  • thermal evaluation
  • shielding evaluation
  • containment of the nuclear substance in the package
  • operation of the package
  • maintenance program to be followed
  • applicable quality assurance program

The PTNSR 2015 does not prescribe specific standards to be followed for the package design. It requires that compliance be demonstrated through:

  • testing on specimens or scale test models
  • engineering calculations and reasoned arguments using national or international industry standards
  • reference to similar previously certified packages

Application review

All applications are assessed by CNSC engineers. They carry out a technical review of the information and applicable test results submitted as part of the application. The technical review ensures that the package design meets all the requirements specified in the PTNSR 2015.

Certification staff may also request assistance from other CNSC specialists depending on the characteristics of the design. For packages designed to contain fissile material for example, the application contains an analysis demonstrating that the package remains subcritical following the tests. The analysis is reviewed by a specialist in that field.

CNSC staff refer to these regulations and guidance documents to assist in their review:

Assessments are peer reviewed to ensure that the package fully complies with all applicable requirements. A summary of the assessment of the application and associated recommendations on the certification of the package design is then provided to the designated officer. The designated officer is responsible to issue a decision on the certification.

An “opportunity to be heard” process is available when approval is not recommended. The applicant can provide additional information and justification demonstrating that the package fully complies with all applicable requirements.

The review of an application takes between 3 months and 18 months depending on the situation. Service standards for certification decisions are posted on the CNSC website. Fees for the certification of transport packages are provided in the fee schedule that is updated annually and posted on the cost recovery program page.

See the full list of CNSC Certified Transport Packages and Special Form Radioactive Material. This list is updated twice each year.

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