VietNamNet Bridge - The US Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration has updated the regulation that governs the export of unclassified nuclear technology and assistance, which is expected to streamline US-VN nuclear trade.

The final rule was published in the Federal Register on February 23 and will go into effect on March 25, 2015. Part 810 enables civil nuclear trade by ensuring that nuclear technology and assistance exported from the United States will be used for peaceful purposes only.

The revision was initiated by the agency in 2011 and this final version takes into account comments received from industry, academia, and other interested parties during the four-year rulemaking process.

As the first comprehensive update to the rule since 1986, this revision makes Part 810 consistent with current global civil nuclear trade practices and the president’s U.S. export control reform. 

One of the significant changes to the regulation is the addition of Vietnam as a generally authorized destination for the transfer of nuclear technology and assistance following the entry into force of the U.S.-Vietnam Agreement for Civil Nuclear Cooperation, further opening the door for enhanced nuclear trade between our two countries.

Recognizing the importance of nuclear technology in today’s society, the agency has made Part 810 into a regulation that both meets the requirement to ensure peaceful uses of nuclear power and the expanded use of nuclear technology worldwide.

The updated rule is consistent with and supports the President’s export control reform initiative. To view a copy of the new rule on the Federal Register, visit: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2015-02-23/pdf/2015-03479.pdf.