2018:23 Evaluation of the Impact of the Model Additional Protocol on Non-Nuclear-Weapon States with Comprehensive Safeguards Agreements

Background

The Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (SSM) called for research proposals related to Non-Proliferation. This call resulted in SSM accepting a proposal from the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation (VCDNP) to evaluate the impact of the implementation of Additional Protocols (AP).

The Additional Protocol, which was approved by the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) Board of Governors in 1997, has since been implemented by a growing number of states and the IAEA. By December 2017, there were 127 states where such APs were implemented.

SSM, and thereby Sweden, have long been proponents of the AP. At an early phase, Sweden was engaged in the evolution of the AP, and volunteered to test some of the measures relating to the AP, as part of the 'Programme 93+2'. Sweden signed the AP in 1998 and ratified it in 2000, although it was not implemented until April 2004, when all EU Member States and the European ommission had ratified it.

In the interests of states that already are signatories to the AP, and especially on the part of states considering signing and ratifying the AP, SSM assesses that there is a high level of interest in an analysis of the impact on states that have implemented the AP.

Results

The report describes the experiences of states when implementing the AP. The information is predominantly based on the responses of states submitted as part of an outreach query conducted by the VCDNP. The query was directed at a number of states divided into three categories, relating to the extent of the fuel cycle in that state.

Objectives

The report can serve as an instrument that illustrates how the AP will affect safeguards implementation for a signatory state, thereby facilitating awareness of required resources. Ultimately, the aim is that this will promote an increased number of signatories, resulting in strengthened nuclear safeguards worldwide.