International peer reviews on nuclear safety

The safety of nuclear facilities is a national matter. Each state must ensure that laws and regulations are in place, and corresponding nuclear licensing and supervisory authorities are established. The aim is to protect people and the environment against the dangers of nuclear energy and the harmful effects of ionising radiation. There is no international nuclear supervisory authority that has enforcement powers. Nevertheless, internationally agreed safety conventions and standards have existed for decades. They represent minimum standards and points of reference for national regulatory practice.

The international peer review missions of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) examine the extent to which these safety standards have been implemented, and thus serve to constantly improve national nuclear safety. A self-assessment of the national framework is carried out at least once every ten years, and international experts are invited to review the relevant segments of the legislative, enforcement and organisational framework. To review the progress in implementing the recommendations and guidance provided by the missions, the IAEA also conducts so-called follow-up missions. These take place after the actual mission has ended, at intervals of two to four years.

Two international nuclear security missions organised by the IAEA - so-called IAEA missions - were carried out in Germany in 2019 at the invitation of the Federal Government:

• IRRS missions (Integrated Regulatory Review Service) – International experts review the national legislative, enforcement and organisational framework in the field of nuclear safety at nuclear facilities.
  Implementation period of the mission: 31 March to 12 April 2019
  Implementation period of the follow-up mission: 8 to 16 October 2023
• ARTEMIS missions (Integrated Review Service for Radioactive Waste and Spent Fuel Management, Decommissioning and Remediation) – International experts review the German approach to radioactive waste management.
  Implementation period of the mission: 22 September to 4 October 2019
  Implementation period of the follow-up mission: 6 to 12 November 2022.

nuclear safety ARTEMIS missions

During an ARTEMIS mission of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), international experts assess the procedure for the disposal of radioactive waste. At the invitation of the Federal Government, and with the participation of BASE, an ARTEMIS mission took place in Germany between 22 September and 4 October 2019. The world's first ARTEMIS follow-up mission took place from 6 to 12 November 2022. It was similar to the actual mission, but smaller in scale. The ARTEMIS follow-up mission served to re-assess the specific measures, changes and improvements since the 2019 mission.

more2022.11.17

Source: www.iaea.org

nuclear safety IRRS missions

An IRRS mission examines the national legal, enforcement and organisational framework of nuclear safety at nuclear facilities. International experts appointed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) assess the extent to which Germany implements the IAEA safety requirements in the supervision of nuclear facilities. At the invitation of the Federal Government, the last IAEA IRRS mission took place in Germany between 31 March and 12 April 2019. The IRRS follow-up mission will take place between 8 and 16 October 2023. As a federal authority in the field of nuclear safety, BASE is involved in the preparation, implementation and debriefing of this mission.

more2022.11.17

Source: © pixabay.com

FAQs on the IAEA missions

At the invitation of the Federal Government, two international missions on nuclear safety organised by the IAEA - so-called IAEA missions - took place in Germany in 2019. Follow-up missions will be carried out in 2022 and 2023. More information on these missions can be found in the FAQs.

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