The World Nuclear Transport Institute (WNTI) was founded in 1998 byBritish Nuclear Fuels plc (BNFL) of the United Kingdom, COGEMA ofFrance, and the Federation of Electric Power Companies (FEPC) of Japanto represent the collective interests of the radioactive materialstransport sector, and those who rely on safe, effective and reliabletransport. Over the past decade, WNTI has grown dramatically withmember companies drawn from a wide range of industry sectors, includingmajor utilities, fuel producers and fabricators, transport companies,package producers, and the production and supply of large radiationsources.

The radioactive materials transport industry provides a vitalservice within a complex regulatory, commercial and political context.Industry recognises the many challenges it faces, and has demonstrateda willingness to interact with regulators, carriers and public groupsto ensure the continued safe and efficient delivery of these essentialmaterials. WNTI’s capacity to represent industry interests is due inlarge part to its focus on transport issues from a very practical pointof view, developing consolidated industry positions, and representingthem in exchanges with other key stakeholders.

Through WNTI, companies are working together to promote a soundinternational framework for the future by helping to buildinternational consensus, co-operation and understanding.

Intergovernmental organisations such as the International MaritimeOrganization (IMO), and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)play a pivotal role in establishing standards and regulations thatapply to radioactive materials transport. Through its non-governmentalstatus WNTI supports the work of key intergovernmental organisations inpromoting an efficient, harmonised international transport safetyregime. WNTI has consultative status with the IMO and observer statuswith the IAEA. In addition, WNTI has consultative status with theUnited Nations Committee of Experts on the Transport of DangerousGoods, Category B Liaison Membership with the InternationalOrganization for Standardization (ISO), and information status with theAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI) N14 Committee.

WNTI work benefits also from the on-going exchange betweencomplementary industrial organisations and has established close linkswith FORATOM, the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI), and the World NuclearAssociation (WNA).