EU Establishes Common Binding Framework on Nuclear Safety

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EU Establishes Common Binding Framework on Nuclear Safety

June 26, 2009 // Published as a news service by IHS

The EU has thus become the first major regional nuclear actor to provide binding legal force to the main international nuclear safety standards - namely, the safety fundamentals established by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)¹ and the obligations resulting from the Convention on Nuclear Safety ².

The new directive also reinforces the independence and resources of the national competent regulatory authorities.

The EU has the largest number of nuclear power plants in the world today. In addition, a number of EU member states plan investments or life extensions of nuclear power plants in order to meet growing electricity demand, improve security of supply and tackle climate change.

Therefore, the EU urged for a common approach to guarantee the highest level of nuclear safety by establishing binding rules with regard to the safety of nuclear installations. The EU believes that the revised Nuclear Safety Directive, tabled by the European Commission (EC) last November³ and now adopted by the council, is an adequate response to this need. The European Parliament⁴ and the European Economic and Social Committee⁵ have overwhelmingly endorsed this approach.

In particular, the directive requires EU member states to set up and continuously improve national nuclear safety frameworks. The directive enhances the role and independence of national regulatory authorities, confirming license holders the prime responsibility for nuclear safety. EU member states are also required to encourage a high level of transparency of regulatory actions and to guarantee regular independent safety assessments.

"Nuclear safety is an absolute priority for the EU. This Nuclear Safety Directive brings legal certainty by clarifying responsibilities and provides increased guarantees to the public as required by EU citizens. It sets binding principles for enhancing nuclear safety to protect workers and the general public, as well as the environment. Continuous development of nuclear safety is a responsibility not just for Europe, but for the world; not simply for us but also for coming generations," said EC Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs.

Since the EU is the first major regional nuclear actor to provide a binding legal framework on nuclear safety, Europe could become a real model for the rest of the world in the context of renewed interest in nuclear energy.

¹ Fundamental safety principles, IAEA Safety Standard Series No. SF-1 (2006).

² Signed on Oct. 24, 1996 under the aegis of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

³ EC proposal of Nov. 26, 2008 for an EU Council directive (Euratom) setting up an European Community framework for nuclear safety (COM(2008)790final).

⁴ European Parliament legislative resolution of April 22, 2009 on the proposal for an EU Council directive (Euratom) setting up an European Community framework for nuclear safety (COM(2008)790final).

⁵ Opinion of June 10, 2009 of the European Economic and Social Committee on the proposal for an EU Council directive (Euratom) setting up an European Community framework for nuclear safety (COM(2008)790final).