UNEP/GC.16/Inf.4

                                      Page 53







VIENNA CONVENTION ON CIVIL LIABILITY FOR NUCLEAR DAMAGE



Objective



To establish minimum standards to provide financial 

protection against damage resulting from peaceful uses 

of nuclear energy.



Provisions



(a) The operator of a nuclear installation to be liable 

for nuclear damage on provision of proof that such 

damage was caused by an incident within the 

installation, or involving nuclear material originating 

therefrom or being sent thereto (art. 2);



(b) The liability of the operator in such a case to be 

absolute, but the courts may make a finding of 

contributory negligence on the part of the person 

suffering such damage; in any case the operator will not 

be liable if the nuclear incident was due directly to 

act of armed conflict, civil war, insurrection or a 

grave natural disaster of an exceptional character (art. 

4);



(c) Limits of liability and limitation of action 

established (arts. 5 and 6);



(d) Operator to maintain insurance or financial security 

to cover liability (art. 7).



Membership



Open for accession to all States members of the United 

Nations or members of the specialized agencies or the 

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Instruments 

of accession to be deposited with the Director-General 

of IAEA.



Date of adoption          21. 5.1963

Place of adoption         Vienna

Date of entry into force  12.11.1977

Languages                 English, French, Russian,

                          Spanish

Depositary                IAEA



             Parties and dates of entry into force



Argentina                 12.11.1977

Bolivia                   12.11.1977

Cameroon                  12.11.1977

Cuba                      12.11.1977

Egypt                     12.11.1977

Niger                     24.10.1979

Peru                      26.12.1980

Philippines               12.11.1977

Trinidad and Tobago       12.11.1977

Yugoslavia                12.11.1977