Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)

The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) is a multilateral treaty with 191 States Parties. The treaty prevents the development and acquisition of nuclear weapons and other explosive devices.

The Treaty was signed in July 1968 and entered into force on 5 March 1970. Under Article III, non-nuclear-weapon States (NNWS) are required to conclude a comprehensive safeguards agreement (CSA), based on document INFCIRC/153, with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In May 1995, during the Fifth NPT Review and Extension Conference, the Treaty was extended indefinitely.

The NPT requires non-weapon states to place all source and special fissionable material (as defined in the IAEA Statute) under IAEA safeguards to prevent their use for nonpeaceful uses. Each non-weapon state concludes a separate safeguard agreement with the IAEA.

Parties provide detailed baseline declarations on the numbers, location, and technical data of nuclear material facilities and an inventory of special fissionable materials. Notification about transferring nuclear material in and out of State, any changes to nuclear facilities and inventory, including unaccounted for material.

Ad-hoc, routine, and short-notice on-site inspections included baseline inspections, special inspections, inventory inspections, data update inspections, material transfer verification inspections, and complementary safeguard visits.

Tags, seals, sensors, data recorders, and other monitoring equipment. There are provisions for continuous monitoring if necessary.

The IAEA Secretariat will normally attempt to resolve anomalies and compliance concerns. If necessary, concerns are communicated to the IAEA Board of Governors. The Board makes a determination of noncompliance if appropriate and reports it to Member States, UNSC, and UNGA. INFCIRC/153 included a dispute settlement procedure creating an arbitral tribunal at the International Court of Justice.