High level of nuclear safety, with room for further improvements: IAEA mission in Romania concluded

A team of experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) concluded, in recent days, an IRRS (Integrated Regulatory Review Service) mission in Romania, in which 16 experts from 15 countries participated.

The mission was conducted at the request of the Romanian government and hosted by the National Commission for the Control of Nuclear Activities (CNCAN), the national regulatory authority for the safety of nuclear installations and activities.

IRRS missions aim to strengthen the effectiveness of national nuclear and radiation safety regulatory infrastructures, based on IAEA safety standards and international good practices, while recognizing each country's responsibility in this area.

The Inspectorate participated in the mission through its own expert, whose specific task was to carry out a review of Romania's regulatory infrastructure with respect to the IAEA safety standards, in relation to the processes of authorisation, review and evaluation, inspection and preparation of regulations and guides for the safe transport of radioactive material.

The team of experts recognized Romania's commitment to maintaining and strengthening its regulatory framework on nuclear and radiation safety and praised the Romanian authorities for the effective preparatory activities for future use of small modular reactors (SMR). At the same time, better coordination between government agencies concerned with radiation source facilities and activities was recommended during the mission.

The final report of the mission will be presented to the Romanian Government in approximately three months.