IAEA: Austria committed to strengthening nuclear and radiation safety

An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team of experts said Austria is committed to strengthening its national legal and regulatory framework for nuclear and radiation safety. The team also made recommendations for further enhancements, including a reorganization and harmonization of the functions of the federal authorities involved in regulatory control.

The Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) team concluded a nine-day mission to assess the regulatory safety framework in Austria. The mission was conducted at the request of the Government of Austria. The team of senior nuclear and radiation safety experts met with representatives of the Federal Ministry of Sustainability and Tourism (BMNT), the Federal Ministry of Education, Science, and Research (BMBWF) and the Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health and Consumer Protection (BMASGK).

IRRS missions are designed to strengthen the effectiveness of the national nuclear regulatory infrastructure, using IAEA safety standards and international good practices, while recognizing the responsibility of each country to ensure nuclear and radiation safety.

“Austria has demonstrated its commitment to nuclear and radiation safety by inviting, for the first time, an international peer review for its regulatory oversight of radiological and nuclear facilities and activities,” said team leader Mika Markkanen, Principal Adviser, Regulation Practices Regulation at the Finnish Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK). “We are confident that Austria will tackle the tasks before it, including the overall revision of the legal framework and the implementation of the government’s plan to restructure the regulatory framework.”

Austria uses radiation sources in medical and industrial applications, as well as in science and research, including at a research reactor in Vienna.

“We are thankful for this important, independent review of our regulatory framework,” said Andreas Molin, host country Liaison Officer. “I am convinced that the recommendations and suggestions made by the mission will assist us in modernizing our regulatory infrastructure in line with IAEA safety standards.”

The 13-member IRRS team comprised senior regulatory experts from Australia, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Finland, India, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, and Sweden as well as four IAEA staff members.

“By hosting the mission and demonstrating its dedication to a responsible approach to nuclear and radiation safety, Austria set an example for other countries,” said Juan Carlos Lentijo, IAEA Deputy Director General and head of the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security. “This is particularly useful considering that many countries are in the process of setting up or strengthening their regulatory framework in line with the IAEA safety standards.”

Original source: IAEA
Published on 3 July 2018