Guidance

Nuclear Research

Updated 5 November 2019

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Agreement on the Establishment of the ITER International Fusion Energy Organization for the Joint Implementation of the ITER Project

Description

This agreement arranges for the design, establishment, and operation of a large international fusion facility, the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) Organisation, and for the operation of its projects.

Will this agreement or arrangement be in place in a no-deal scenario?

Will not be in place

Additional Comments

The UK currently participates in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) through its membership of Euratom. Both BEIS and the UK Atomic Energy Authority maintain a close relationship with ITER and are discussing the best way to maintain cooperation. Advice on actions for businesses and other stakeholders on ITER have been included in the BEIS technical notice on nuclear research. For further information please see published article

Lead Department

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Country

N/A - Multilateral

Source

  • Agreement on the Establishment of the ITER International Fusion Energy Organization for the Joint Implementation of the ITER Project

Agreement on the privileges and immunities of the ITER International Fusion Energy Organization for the Joint Implementation of the ITER Project

Description

This agreement creates the arrangements which provide for privileges and immunities of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) and its staff.

Will this agreement or arrangement be in place in a no-deal scenario?

Will not be in place

Additional Comments

The UK currently participates in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) through its membership of Euratom. Both BEIS and the UK Atomic Energy Authority maintain a close relationship with ITER and are discussing the best way to maintain cooperation. Advice on actions for businesses and other stakeholders on ITER have been included in the BEIS technical notice on nuclear research. For further information please see published article

Lead Department

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Country

N/A - Multilateral

Source

  • Agreement on the privileges and immunities of the ITER International Fusion Energy Organization for the Joint Implementation of the ITER Project

Canada Nuclear Research

Description

This agreement is to encourage and facilitate cooperation, in fields of common interest in the peaceful, non-explosive, non-military uses of nuclear energy between the European Atomic Energy Community and Canada to support research and development activities to advance science and/or technology relevant to those fields of interest.

Will this agreement or arrangement be in place in a no-deal scenario?

Will not be in place

Additional Comments

The UK-Canada NCA would allow continued collaboration between the parties on Exit Day. For further information please see published article. For responses on specific queries, please contact international-agreements@beis.gov.uk

Lead Department

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Country

Canada

Source

  • Memorandum of Understanding between the European Atomic Energy Community represented by the Commission of the European Communities and the Government of Canada concerning cooperation in the field of fusion research and development

Japan Nuclear Fusion Research Agreement

Description

This agreement is to maintain and intensify cooperation between the European Atomic Energy Community and Japan in the areas covered by their respective fusion programes.

Will this agreement or arrangement be in place in a no-deal scenario?

Will not be in place

Additional Comments

For further information please see published article

Lead Department

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Country

Japan

Source

  • Agreement for cooperation between the European Atomic Energy Community and the Government of Japan in the field of controlled thermonuclear fusion

  • Agreement between the European Atomic Energy Community and the Government of Japan for the Joint Implementation of the Broader Approach Activities in the Field of Fusion Energy Research

United States Nuclear Research Agreement

Description

This agreement is to continue and intensify cooperation between the European Atomic Energy Community and the United States of America in their respective fusion programes.

Will this agreement or arrangement be in place in a no-deal scenario?

Will Be in Place

Additional Comments

An alternative arrangement to permit nuclear fusion research will be in place, in the form of a non-treaty based arrangement being negotiated to supplement a 2017 UK-US Science & Technology Agreement

Lead Department

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Country

United States

Source

  • Agreement for cooperation between the European Atomic Energy Community represented by the Commission of the European Communities and the Department of Energy of the United States of America in the field of fusion energy research and development

Further Information

In a no deal scenario, the UK will no longer be party to the bilateral fusion research agreements listed here. To help ensure the UK can continue its international nuclear research collaborations with priority partners, the new bilateral Nuclear Cooperation Agreements will facilitate some research collaboration.

DEFINITION OF CATEGORIES

Will be in Place

Agreement ready to enter into force on day one of exit, or only administrative or domestic implementation steps outstanding in order for agreement to enter into force on day one.

Expected to be in Place

Agreement on track to be in place for day one, and may have been initialled or agreed in principle, but some steps, such as signature or ratification, remain outstanding.

Engagement Ongoing

Discussions are ongoing with the third country.

Not Expected to be in Place

Existing obstacle(s) to the finalisation of text, signature, or ratification that is unlikely to be overcome in time for day one entry into force.

Will Not be in Place

Not possible to conclude for day one. In some cases, the agreement will nonetheless be in place shortly after day one.