Approach to the European Union (Future Relationship) Act 2020 Trade and Other Matters Nuclear Cooperation Agreement
The UK and the Euratom have agreed a Nuclear Cooperation Agreement (‘NCA’).
	NCAs are commonly used international treaties which give legal underpinning to civil nuclear cooperation and provide key non-proliferation assurances, including in respect of nuclear safeguards, and a framework for nuclear trade. The UK-Euratom NCA achieves this in respect of cooperation between the UK and Euratom. All members of the EU are also members of Euratom, and Euratom officials are part of the European Commission.
	The UK-Euratom NCA 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. It provides robust mutual assurances that traded nuclear material will remain subject to safeguards and provides a comprehensive framework and other key assurances for transfers of nuclear materials and related items, including procedures for retransfers to third countries.
	The UK already has a number of bilateral NCAs with countries such as Japan and India, and has signed new bilateral NCAs with the USA, Canada and Australia which will come into force at the end of the Transition Period. Euratom also has a number of NCAs with other states.
	The Act ensures the UK is in a position to fully comply with its obligations under the UK Euratom NCA.