Code for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material (2014)

This 2014 edition of the Code for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material, RPS C-2 (commonly referred to as the Transport Code) adopts the International Atomic Energy Agency Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material 2012 Edition (SSR-6); it replaces the 2008 edition (RPS 2).

The objective of the code is to establish uniform requirements for the transport of radioactive material in Australia by road, rail and those waterways not covered by Maritime legislation.

It is intended to be adopted into legislation by all Australian jurisdictions.

Please note: Former editions of the Transport Code (2008 Edition) may still be current in some jurisdictions pending legislative changes necessary for adoption of this latest edition. Please refer to the relevant competent authority for advice regarding the status of adoption in a particular jurisdiction.

Download the code

Schedule 1 of the MS Word Doc includes a link to the IAEA website - SSR-6

ARPANSA no longer sells physical copies from the Radiation Protection Series.

Persons seeking guidance on good radiation protection practice and how to meet the requirements of the Transport Code RPS C-2 should refer to the IAEA specific safety guides listed in ARPANSA’s International Standards Register:

These safety guides supersede RPS 2.1 Safety Guide for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material (2008), and the key elements of Safety Guide for Approval Processes for the safe Transport of Radioactive Material, RPS 2.2, are included in the Transport Approval Checklists.

Dangerous goods (Class 7 radioactive material) declaration form

The Dangerous goods (Class 7 radioactive material) declaration form (shippers' declaration) has been updated to meet the requirements of the 2014 Transport Code.

Please note: An earlier version of the Shippers' Declaration can be found on 2008 Edition webpage.

Notes:

  1. The order of the first four items in the Declaration is not critical for the transport of radioactive material by road or rail within Australia, provided they precede the other items. However, this may not be acceptable for the transport of dangerous goods by sea and air.
  2. Where transport by sea or air is proposed, the appropriate authorities should be consulted to determine the requirements, and whether additional documentation is required.
  3. Airlines will only accept the International Air Transport Association (IATA) format of the Consignor's Declaration for air transport. The IATA version of the form is available from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
  4. For packages that will later be transported internationally by sea, the multimodal dangerous goods form is available from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.

Competent Authorities

List of Australian Competent Authorities for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material (updated April 2019):

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