Regulators Offer Support For Developing Nuclear Programmes
Written by NucNet
Tuesday, 01 April 2008
1 May (NucNet): Nuclear regulators worldwide are offering practical support
to enhance safety in countries that are expanding or developing new domestic
nuclear energy programmes.
The International Nuclear Regulators Association (INRA) said on 28 April 2008 that it strongly encourages countries to adopt "programmes of continuous improvement in nuclear safety".
INRA's chairman for 2008, US Nuclear Regulatory Commission chief Dale Klein, has asked the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to help convey its message to all IAEA member countries.
Mr Klein said INRA had identified four key commitments that should be considered to achieve and maintain high levels of nuclear safety:
• A legislative and regulatory framework to govern the safety of nuclear materials and installations that meets the requirements of the international Convention on Nuclear Safety and relevant fundamental safety principles, and appropriate standards;
• Establishing an independent nuclear safety regulatory body in every country with "authority, competence, and financial and human resources to fulfil its responsibilities";
• Ensuring that regulatory bodies are able to make regulatory judgments or decisions on nuclear safety issues based on expert nuclear safety technical understanding, "unfettered by outside interest or pressure", and supported by laws and other measures established by governments and parliaments;
• Basing an effective system of nuclear safety regulation and control on a "strong national commitment to develop cultures" in all relevant organisations that emphasise nuclear safety as the priority.
INRA, which was formed 11 years ago to give regulators a forum to discuss nuclear safety, met last month in Washington DC. Countries represented at that meeting included Canada, France, Japan, Spain, South Korea, Sweden, the UK and the US.
Related reports in the NucNet database (available to subscribers)
International Regulators Association Formally Created (News No. 268, 2 June 1997)
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