NRC Removes Oman from List of Restricted Destinations

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has issued a final rule, effective February 27, 2012, amending its export and import regulations (10 CFR Part 110) by removing Oman from the list of restricted destinations. This action was recommended by the Executive Branch in light of current foreign policy and nonproliferation-related actions taken and policies pursued by the Government of Oman. This means that exports of certain nuclear and byproduct materials to Oman may qualify for the NRC general license. At present, Oman has no nuclear research or power program; however, it does have the need for radioactive sources for legitimate industrial, medical, and research purposes in support of economic development projects. NRC states that exports of radioactive sources from the U.S. for such purposes would be facilitated by removal of Oman from the restricted destinations list.