DOE Part 810 – Assistance to Foreign Atomic Energy Activities
Current understanding
Under 10 CFR Part 810, the Department of Energy controls exports of unclassified nuclear technology and assistance to foreign atomic energy activities, distinguishing between ‘generally authorized’ destinations (where transfers can proceed without a specific DOE authorization) and ‘specific authorization’ destinations (case-by-case review). DOE has issued a final rule adding Thailand to the generally authorized destinations list, easing the compliance pathway for U.S. exporters and researchers cooperating with Thai counterparts on civilian nuclear technology. Practical effect: reduced authorization burden and timelines for U.S.–Thailand nuclear cooperation, contingent on Thailand’s IAEA safeguards and nonproliferation posture.
Evidence log
- 2026-07-28 — Presidential Determination on the Proposed Agreement for Cooperation Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy: cross-connection with us-saudi-peaceful-nuclear-cooperation: A Section 123 agreement is a statutory prerequisite for the broader scope of technology and assistance transfers that DOE authorizes under 10 CFR Part 810; entry into force of a US–Saudi 123 agreement would expand the range of Part 810 authorizations potentially available for Saudi Arabia. (novelty: 3)
- 2026-05-29 — Zero-Based Regulating: cross-connection with doe-regulatory-sunset-review: Part 810 assistance-to-foreign-atomic-energy rules sit within DOE’s regulatory portfolio potentially affected by the EO 14270 sunset-insertion rulemaking. (novelty: 2)
- 2026-06-05 — Exceptions From Foreign Ownership, Control, or Domination: cross-connection with nrc-foreign-ownership-control-domination: Both regulate foreign involvement in U.S. nuclear activities: NRC FOCD governs foreign ownership of domestic utilization facilities, while DOE Part 810 governs U.S. assistance to foreign atomic energy programs — complementary halves of nuclear export/investment controls. (novelty: 2)