UK-Euratom nuclear cooperation agreement - notice (December 2020)
Updated 21 February 2024
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The UK and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) have agreed a Nuclear Cooperation Agreement (NCA).
This is a separate agreement from the wider UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
An NCA is a commonly used international treaty which gives a legal underpinning to civil nuclear cooperation, and both Euratom and the UK already have such agreements with a number of other countries.
The UK and Euratom are global leaders in supporting responsible practices in civil nuclear, particularly non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. This UK-Euratom NCA sends a clear message to the wider international community, the nuclear sector, and the public that both parties are fully committed to cooperation on civil nuclear, including safeguards, safety, and security. It provides a framework for trade in nuclear materials and technology, facilitates research and development, and enables exchange of information and expertise including on medical radioisotopes.