EU Customs working in the frontline on Radiation and Nuclear Detection

EU Customs working at the front line

Customs supervises flows of goods entering and leaving the territory of the European Union. The purpose of supervision is to effectively and efficiently enforce national and European legislation and regulations on the import, export, and transit of goods. From their unique information position, with the presence at the borders and the availability of advanced means and international networks, customs are able to stop high risk shipments at the border or even before arrival. When it detects a violation, it acts upon it or engages the relevant competent authorities.

Where once tax duties were paramount, the security of cross-border trade and supply chains is now an equally high priority. European customs services are at a frontline position to protect civilians and societies against illicit and dangerous goods from entering into and leaving the European Union. At the same time, they support and promote legitimate trade. In this way, the customs organisations contribute to the security of the European Union.

The expanding safety-related tasks present customs with new challenges. The demand for applicable knowledge and resources goes beyond that for traditional tasks focused on levying and collecting duties, excise duties and taxes. The European Commission - and more specifically the Directorate-General for Taxation and the Customs Union (DG TAXUD) - strives for adequate and high-quality equipment for European customs officials. For example, European customs make use of modern technologies, including container scanners, radiation detection equipment and risk management tools.

CBRN detection along the EU external borders

Stopping unauthorised cross-border movements of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear materials (CBRN) and related technology is also a task for customs. It goes without saying that the aim is to prevent these goods from crossing a border and becoming an active threat to a Member State. Apart from the terrible consequences of an actual use as a weapon, a threat from one of the CBRN categories can cause considerable damage to society. From its privileged information position in the supply chain and its presence at airports, seaports, land borders and postal depots, customs can help counter this risk with targeted controls.

On radiation and nuclear detection, EU customs operate detection portals at the main EU maritime ports, airports and land border crossing points along the EU external border. The use of high-quality detection technologies is essential in order to quickly and efficiently inspect high-risk goods without delaying legitimate trade. Operating such devices requires specific knowledge and skills. Adequate equipment and training should be available on an EU-wide basis.

 

DG TAXUD training campaign for Radiation and Nuclear detection at JRC EUSECTRA

To educate and train customs experts, DG TAXUD has set up a comprehensive program together with the European Nuclear Security Training Centre (EUSECTRA) of the Joint Research Centre in Karlsruhe. In total 60 customs officers from 24 Member States could benefit from this hands-on training program in 2018 and 2019.

Each training session had a duration of five days and consisted of theoretical lectures, technical discussions, hands-on trainings and table-top exercises. The curriculum was developed jointly with the experts from the JRC and DG TAXUD together with Member States represented in the EU Customs Detection Technology Project

Group, based on the curricula of Border Monitoring Working Group (BMWG) for Front Line Officers. The training curriculum aimed to be beneficial for all EU customs administrations, in terms of preparedness, detection and response for Radiation and Nuclear detection and safety.

The trainings made the experts more aware of radiological and nuclear threats and provided practical training to recognise these threats. Substantial attention was given to the latest technological developments of radiation detection equipment and innovative smuggling methods. All trainings took place in a realistic environment based on operational conditions with the use of real radioactive and nuclear sources. During the provision of the trainings, special attention has been given that participants interacted amongst themselves in a collaborative and knowledge exchange manner.

eLearning Programme on Radiation and Nuclear Detection

In 2020, DG TAXUD launched an interactive eLearning Programme to support customs officers to learn about radioactive and nuclear control at the border. The Basic module shows the customs officers’ modern and important role in detecting nuclear and radioactive materials, making them aware of the risks and threats and a basic introduction to the types of materials, equipment and process. The Advanced module explores more advanced concepts regarding the process and inspections and the equipment. Both courses include real case scenarios at the seaport, airport, railway or land border where the learner has to take decisions through the process. 

(Given the confidential information of the courses, they are only available for Customs and Tax officials in the National administrations that log in the portal with their professional email address).

Next steps

The evaluation results of the TAXUD training campaign indicated a very good satisfaction level of the offered training. In general, the vast majority of the participants declared the training courses as useful, relevant, interesting and of positive contribution to their professional role. The feedback from the participants clearly indicates the continued demand for training on radiation detection and response and the need of a follow-up programme.

The collaboration between DG TAXUD and the JRC has built greater synergies between the Member States Customs administrations. The trainings provided at the EUSECTRA centre will serve as platform for national experts to exchange best practices and to contribute to the development of harmonized procedures assistance by educating them about the best international practices in terms of nuclear security applied to Customs work. This comes as part of a drive to achieve combating nuclear trafficking in a collaborative effort and facilitating trade through customs checkpoints. Ultimately, the goal is to prevent individuals to gain access to harmful materials by promoting and establishing a culture around nuclear security.

Special thanks to the article's writer: Policy officer at DG TAXUD Unit A1