IAEA is subject of an IRRS review mission for first time
The International Atomic Energy Agency's internal radiation safety regulatory framework has been the subject of an Integrated Regulatory Review Service mission.
Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) missions were created by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for teams to evaluate a member state's regulatory infrastructure for nuclear, radiation, radioactive waste and transport safety against IAEA safety standards. Mission reports provide recommendations and suggestions for improvement and note good practice which can be shared for use elsewhere.
The IRRS mission to the IAEA lasted from 30 September to 9 October and was made up of 10 senior regulatory experts from Canada, the Czech Republic, Brazil, Norway, Qatar, Slovenia, the UAE, the UK, the USA and Zimbabwe, two IAEA staff members and one observer from Austria.
It was requested by IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi last year, who said: "Radiation safety demands unwavering vigilance and preparedness. By initiating this unique IRRS mission, the IAEA is leading by example, applying the best safety practices also to our own work and openly communicating on any gaps. This is especially important today, as the number of new nuclear projects continues to grow worldwide."
The IAEA has an independent regulator on its staff, who oversees its use of radiation technologies and implementation of international safety standards in its own operations including at the Agency’s laboratories in Vienna, Seibersdorf, and Monaco. It was the first time an IRRS team has taken place in an organisation that does not belong to an individual member state.
Carl-Magnus Larsson, IRRS Team Leader, said: "The agency has demonstrated a strong commitment to IAEA safety standards by proactively utilising the peer review system, typically designed for Member States, to evaluate its own internal implementation of these standards. This approach goes beyond what is required, is unique, and serves as a replicable model for other organisations."
The review team concluded that the IAEA's regulatory programme for radiation, transport, and waste safety was well-established and demonstrated its strong commitment to upholding international safety standards. Its recommendations for the IAEA include:
- Develop a comprehensive policy and strategy for safety, tailored to the IAEA’s specific strategic and operational activities.
- Initiate a review of resourcing to ensure that the regulator has sufficient human and financial resources.
- Consider formalising arrangements to ensure continued regulatory independence.
- Consider assessing events occurring at the IAEA laboratories involving radiation technologies at the Agency Seat against the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale and report those events at Level 2 and above to Member States.
The IAEA said the IRRS mission's specific recommendations for the IAEA Regulator include:
- Completing the documentation for the regulatory management system.
- Arranging for independent assessments of the regulator’s leadership for safety and safety culture at planned intervals.
- Finalising and formally adopting procedures for authorisation taking into account a graded approach.
- Developing an inspection programme and plan in accordance with a graded approach.
- Formally adopting a process for establishing regulations and regulatory guides, including the frequency for review.
Lydie Evrard, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security, said: "The recommendations from this mission will help us to continuously improve and we are committed to further strengthening and enhancing the Agency's regulatory framework for radiation safety."
The final report of the review mission is expected to be completed within three months.
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