Revised rule on export of nuclear technology takes effect

The Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) announced Thursday that a revision to Department of Energy (DOE) regulation of the export of nuclear technology has taken effect.

The regulation in question, 10 CFR 810, requires approximately a year or more to process authorization under the law. The NEI said that this law is more complex and falls behind other nuclear exporting countries including South Korea, Russia and Japan, where the process ranges from 15 to 90 days for similar licenses and regulatory requirements.

The NEI said it approves of the DOE's move to enhance the process of managing Part 810 requests.

NEI Vice President for Suppliers and International Programs Daniel Lipman had urged “DOE’s timely completion of the current initiatives to make meaningful improvements in the efficiency of the Part 810 licensing process,”  

The law regulates all nuclear technology exports unless they are licensed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and those considered to be public information or basic research. This law also effects the authority of foreign individuals to access nuclear technology, including foreign workers of U.S. companies.

Both the NEI and the American Nuclear Society is working with the DOE to further develop improvement measures to the licensing process. Measures include electronic licensing systems and additional guidance.