IAEA Mission Helps Georgia Manage Disused Radioactive Sources

The first official mission conducted through the IAEA's new Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Service (RAD-WISE) has helped Georgia assess and strengthen its management of disused sealed radioactive sources (DSRS).

Held in July 2026 in cooperation with Georgia's Agency of Nuclear and Radiation Safety, the mission focused on data verification and validation using the DSRS Indicators System. It assessed the accuracy, completeness and consistency of Georgia's data and reviewed national DSRS management against the DSRS Indicators framework, identifying areas for improvement.

Sealed radioactive sources are widely used in medicine, industry, agriculture and research. Despite their small size, some are classified as high activity radioactive sources under the IAEA's Categorization of Radioactive Sources , which ranks sources according to their potential to cause harm to human health. If not properly controlled, these sources can pose significant radiological risks. Once they are no longer in use, appropriate management is therefore essential to ensure their continued safety and security.

The DSRS Indicator System was designed to provide countries with a structured approach to assess DSRS management, identify gaps and track progress across different areas.

"DSRS Indicators are more than a collection of metrics. They reveal gaps, highlight challenges, and demonstrate how every stage of DSRS management is interconnected. Most importantly, they provide the evidence needed to drive effective solutions and continuous improvement," said Nora Zakaria, Head of the IAEA's Waste Technology Section.

IAEA experts reviewed one year of data reported through the DSRS Indicators online platform, as well as data submitted by Georgia. The assessment combined a pre-mission review with on-site activities, including facility visits and interviews, data validation and post-mission analysis. It covered key areas of DSRS management, including source inventory and characterization, regulatory control, safety and security, institutional and funding mechanisms, and capacity development.

The team noted that Georgia has established a strong basis for DSRS management, including a structured licensing and inspection system and traceable documentation supporting most inventory-related indicators. The team also highlighted the efforts of Georgia's Agency of Nuclear and Radiation Safety and its effective approach to education and practical training to strengthen national capabilities for the safe management of disused sources.

Based on areas for improvement identified during the assessment, the IAEA team developed a phased set of recommendations outlining short-, medium- and long-term actions to further strengthen Georgia's DSRS management.

"The mission provided a valuable opportunity to review Georgia's progress in the management of disused sealed radioactive sources and identify areas for further improvement," said Nino Utiashvili, Head of the Agency of Nuclear and Radiation Safety. "The DSRS Indicators Self-Assessment Tool offers a clear and structured framework for strengthening national arrangements, and we greatly appreciate the IAEA's continued technical support and cooperation."

Georgia has already begun acting on the mission's findings through changes to national legislation. As a result, DSRS management has been clearly distinguished from radioactive waste management, in line with IAEA recommendations. This provides a stronger regulatory basis for the safe and secure management of disused sources throughout their lifecycle.

In 2026, a pilot RAD-WISE mission was conducted in Egypt to test and validate the DSRS Indicators methodology. The lessons learned from the pilot mission helped refine the methodology and informed its subsequent application in Georgia. It also led to the development of dedicated DSRS Indicators software, which Egypt has shared with other IAEA Member States, enabling them to maintain their own records and conduct self-assessments using the tool.

"This mission was unique because it went beyond a purely technical review. We are proud that Egypt's experience helped strengthen this important tool and contributed practical insights that have enhanced the methodology," said Yasser Tawfik Mohamed Selim, Egypt's DSRS Indicators Country Coordinator and the Technical Director of the Radioactive Waste Management Facilities at the Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority.

RAD-WISE forms part of broader IAEA efforts to assist Member States in strengthening radioactive waste and DSRS management, complementing IAEA review and assessment mechanisms with targeted expert assistance focused on practical implementation and capacity building. IAEA support also includes training and knowledge resources, such as an E-learning Course on Spent Fuel and Radioactive Waste Management, Decommissioning and Environmental Remediation and a Nuclear Back End Webinar Series .

Looking ahead, the IAEA will host the International Conference on Advancement in Radioactive Waste Management: Innovation for a Sustainable Future from 11 to 15 October 2027 at its headquarters in Vienna, Austria. The conference will foster knowledge exchange and collaboration on radioactive waste management, including the management of disused sealed radioactive sources, while highlighting innovative strategies, technological advancements and practical solutions for integrated, cost-effective and sustainable waste management.

Together, these efforts provide countries with a range of tools, expertise and practical support to address the challenges associated with disused sealed radioactive sources and implement appropriate solutions for their long term management.