[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 8]
[Revised as of October 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR1546.209]

[Page 352-353]
 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
   CHAPTER XII--TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF 
                            HOMELAND SECURITY
 
PART 1546_FOREIGN AIR CARRIER SECURITY--Table of Contents
 
                          Subpart C_Operations
 
Sec. 1546.209  Use of X-ray systems.

    (a) TSA authorization required. No foreign air carrier may use any 
X-ray system within the United States to screen accessible property or 
checked baggage, unless specifically authorized under its security 
program. No foreign air carrier may use such a system in a manner 
contrary to its security program. TSA authorizes foreign air carriers to 
use X-ray systems for inspecting accessible property or checked baggage 
under a security program if the foreign air carrier shows that--
    (1) The system meets the standards for cabinet X-ray systems 
primarily for the inspection of baggage issued by the Food and Drug 
Administration (FDA) and published in 21 CFR 1020.40;
    (2) A program for initial and recurrent training of operators of the 
system is established, which includes training in radiation safety, the 
efficient use of X-ray systems, and the identification of weapons, 
explosives, and incendiaries; and
    (3) The system meets the imaging requirements set forth in its 
security program using the step wedge specified in American Society for 
Testing Materials (ASTM) Standard F792-88 (Reapproved 1993). This 
standard is incorporated by reference in paragraph (g) of this section.
    (b) Annual radiation survey. No foreign air carrier may use any X-
ray system unless, within the preceding 12 calendar months, a radiation 
survey is conducted that shows that the system meets the applicable 
performance standards in 21 CFR 1020.40.
    (c) Radiation survey after installation or moving. No foreign air 
carrier may use any X-ray system after the system has been installed at 
a screening point or after the system has been moved unless a radiation 
survey is conducted which shows that the system meets the applicable 
performance standards in 21 CFR 1020.40. A radiation survey is not 
required for an X-ray system that is designed and constructed as a 
mobile unit and the foreign air carrier shows that it can be moved 
without altering its performance.

[[Page 353]]

    (d) Defect notice or modification order. No foreign air carrier may 
use any X-ray system that is not in full compliance with any defect 
notice or modification order issued for that system by the FDA, unless 
the FDA has advised TSA that the defect or failure to comply does not 
create a significant risk of injury, including genetic injury, to any 
person.
    (e) Signs and inspection of photographic equipment and film. (1) At 
locations at which a foreign air carrier uses an X-ray system to inspect 
accessible property the foreign air carrier must ensure that a sign is 
posted in a conspicuous place at the screening checkpoint.
    (2) At locations at which a foreign air carrier or TSA uses an X-ray 
system to inspect checked baggage the foreign air carrier must ensure 
that a sign is posted in a conspicuous place where the foreign air 
carrier accepts checked baggage.
    (3) The signs required under this paragraph must notify individuals 
that such items are being inspected by an X-ray and advise them to 
remove all X-ray, scientific, and high-speed film from accessible 
property and checked baggage before inspection. This sign must also 
advise individuals that they may request that an inspection be made of 
their photographic equipment and film packages without exposure to an X-
ray system. If the X-ray system exposes any accessible property or 
checked baggage to more than one milliroentgen during the inspection, 
the sign must advise individuals to remove film of all kinds from their 
articles before inspection.
    (4) If requested by individuals, their photographic equipment and 
film packages must be inspected without exposure to an X-ray system.
    (f) Radiation survey verification after installation or moving. Each 
foreign air carrier must maintain at least one copy of the results of 
the most recent radiation survey conducted under paragraph (b) or (c) of 
this section and must make it available for inspection upon request by 
TSA at each of the following locations--
    (1) The foreign air carrier's principal business office; and
    (2) The place where the X-ray system is in operation.
    (g) Incorporation by reference. The American Society for Testing and 
Materials (ASTM) Standard F792-88 (Reapproved 1993), ``Standard Practice 
for Design and Use of Ionizing Radiation Equipment for the Detection of 
Items Prohibited in Controlled Access Areas,'' is approved for 
incorporation by reference by the Director of the Federal Register 
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. ASTM Standard F792-88 may 
be examined at the Department of Transportation (DOT) Docket, 400 
Seventh Street SW, Room Plaza 401, Washington, DC 20590, or on DOT's 
Docket Management System (DMS) web page at http://dms.dot.gov/search 
(under docket number FAA-2001-8725). Copies of the standard may be 
examined also at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, 
call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal--register/
code--of--federal--regulations/ibr--locations.html. In addition, ASTM 
Standard F792-88 (Reapproved 1993) may be obtained from the American 
Society for Testing and Materials, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West 
Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959.
    (h) Each foreign air carrier must comply with the X-ray operator 
duty time limitations specified in its security program.

[67 FR 8377, Feb. 22, 2002, as amended at 69 FR 18803, Apr. 9, 2004]