What Euratom does
Euratom provides secure access to nuclear materials and technology for peaceful uses and research. The European Coal and Steel Community established the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) in 1957.
Key points to note:
- the Euratom treaty is separate from the treaties of the EU and its predecessors;
- Euratom is separate from the EU, but governed by EU institutions, including the European Commission, and falls under the ECJ’s jurisdiction;
- the EU’s central budget funds the Euratom Community.
To fulfil its objectives, Euratom:
- facilitates the sharing of EU nuclear expertise and the regulated movement of nuclear goods;
- establishes a single market for trade in nuclear materials and technology;
- ensures that Europe’s nuclear plants operate safely and guarantees a secure supply of nuclear fuel;
- has extensive wider interests including research into nuclear technology;
- establishes standards and regulations for the safe and secure handling and use of nuclear materials;
- regulates the supply of the isotopes used in nuclear medicine.
Nuclear Cooperation Agreements (NCAs) are the basis of international trade in nuclear goods and services.
Importance of Euratom to UK
Around 20% of the UK’s domestic supply comes from nuclear (compared to 30% of the EU’s electricity supply).
The UK also requires access to nuclear materials and expertise to support its nuclear weapons and submarines. The UK is part of Euratom cooperation agreements with eight other nations, including Australia, US, Kazakhstan, South Korea and Canada. These account for about 70% of world uranium production.
The UK does not have any reactors capable of producing medical isotopes, which decay rapidly, often within hours or days. As a result, UK hospitals rely on a continuous supply from reactors in France, Belgium and the Netherlands.
Certain skills for the UK’s nuclear programme are only available from other Euratom countries. For instance, the UK imports skilled nuclear specialists such as welders, steel fixers and pipe-fitters. The Euratom Treaty require its members to ensure “freedom of employment” for nuclear specialists by “abolish[ing] all restrictions based on nationality”.
See immigration section for details of UK’s wider reliance on overseas workers.