Nuclear Cooperation Agreements and nuclear exports
Nuclear Cooperation Agreements (NCAs) are legally binding treaties which help to simplify the export of primarily nuclear material and equipment and are used as the basis to ensure the prompt issuing of nuclear exports, whilst ensuring that the UKs non-proliferation commitments are maintained. The UK currently has NCAs with the following countries:
| No |
Country |
Year signed |
| 1 |
China |
1985 |
| 2 |
Japan |
1998 |
| 3 |
Jordan |
2009 |
| 4 |
Korea (South) |
1991 |
| 5 |
Russia |
1996 |
| 6 |
United Arab Emirates |
2010 |
| 7 |
USA |
1955 |
DECC Nuclear Non-Proliferation (NNP) also take a lead on the drafting of civil nuclear Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and Civil Nuclear Cooperation Declarations (CNCDs) which although not legally binding, help to initiate greater cooperation between the UK and countries which are committed in developing nuclear energy for civil use.
DECC NNP provides advice on all nuclear exports which fall under the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) ‘Trigger List’ and ‘Dual Use’ regimes. NNP will seek formal Government to Government Assurances (GTGAs) for export licences of Trigger List nuclear material, equipment or technology to countries which do not have NCA’s with the UK. Countries within the European Union (EU) are already covered by a free trade agreement for Trigger List exports except for certain quantities of both high enriched uranium (material with an isotopic rating of U235 of 20% or higher) and plutonium.
A GTGA is a diplomatic request for confirmation from the recipient government that the items to be exported will not be used for Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) purposes. NNP do not request GTGAs for Dual Use exports but the end user application must correlate with the submitted application by the exporter in pledging that the items will not be used for WMD purposes. More information on the NSG Trigger List and Dual Use regimes are in the following page. The Business Link: Export of nuclear equipment, material and technology - 'Trigger List' requirements web page has more information on the GTGA process.