Functions And Processes Of The Regulatory Body For Safety

This Safety Guide provides recommendations on meeting the requirements of IAEA Safety Standards Series No. GSR Part 1 (Rev. 1), Governmental, Legal and Regulatory Framework for Safety, on the regulatory body's core functions and associated regulatory processes. This guidance is particularly important for regulatory bodies having responsibilities covering a range of facilities and activities that give rise to radiation risks and the important organizational interfaces between various regulatory authorities, which require effective coordination and cooperation. It promotes a consistent approach to regulation and specifically addresses the release of facilities and activities from regulatory control including sites, buildings, equipment and material. The publication is intended to be used mainly by regulatory bodies but will also be useful for governments that are developing a regulatory framework for safety. It will also assist authorized parties and others dealing with radiation sources in understanding regulatory procedures, processes and expectations.

This publication provides recommendations on meeting the requirements of IAEA Safety Standards Series No. GSR Part 1 (Rev. 1), Governmental, Legal and Regulatory Framework for Safety, in respect of the organizational structure, management and staffing of the regulatory body. It addresses the arrangements and processes regulatory bodies need to consider in carrying out their responsibilities and functions efficiently and effectively and in an independent manner. It also provides guidance on how an integrated management system should be established and implemented in order to have in place both the core processes that help the regulatory body to perform its core functions, and the management and support processes that are necessary to run the regulatory body. The publication is intended for use by all regulatory bodies, irrespective of the size and type of facilities and activities they regulate.

In response to an increase in global activities related to non-water-cooled reactors and small modular reactors, this new Safety Report documenting areas of novelty of these technologies when compared to the current fleet of reactors has been developed. The impact of these areas of novelty on the applicability and completeness of the IAEA safety standards is assessed in the publication. Gaps and areas for additional consideration are identified. The review undertaken to develop this report encompassed the safety standards related to the lifetime of these reactor technologies. The publication also considers the interface between safety, security, and safeguards in the design of these technologies.

This Safety Guide provides recommendations on the establishment of a framework for safety in accordance with the IAEA safety standards for States deciding on and preparing to embark on a nuclear power programme. In this regard, it proposes 197 safety related actions to be taken in the first three phases of the development of the nuclear power programme, to achieve the foundation for a high level of safety throughout the entire lifetime of the nuclear power plant (NPP). This includes safety in the construction, commissioning and operation of the NPP, and the associated management of radioactive waste and spent fuel, and safety in decommissioning. Thus, it contributes to the building of leadership and management for safety and of an effective safety culture, and serves as guidance for self-assessment by all organizations involved in the development of a safety infrastructure.

As Member States seek to extend the operating lifetime of nuclear power plants beyond that which was originally licensed, safety oversight of ageing management and long term operation (LTO) has become increasingly important. This Safety Report provides technical and practical information based on existing regulatory approaches and practices of Member States, and the application of the IAEA Safety Standards. This includes requirements and pre-conditions of the regulatory body for LTO, authorization processes applied to LTO, and regulatory practices and documentation to prepare for and implement LTO. The report is intended for nuclear safety authorities, operating organizations, licensees, manufacturers, designers and technical support organizations considering authorization for LTO of nuclear power plants.