Conventions
Increased safety worldwide is achieved through the development and adoption of legally binding Safety Conventions. Since 1986 five conventions were ratified in the areas of Nuclear, Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety:
- Convention on Nuclear Safety to legally commit participating States operating land-based nuclear power plants to maintain a high level of safety by setting international benchmarks to which States would subscribe
- Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material obliges Contracting States to ensure during international nuclear transport the protection of nuclear material within their territory or on board their ships or aircraft
- Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident - establishes a notification system for nuclear accidents that have the potential for international transboundary release that could be of radiological safety significance for another State
- Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency - sets out an international framework for co-operation among Parties and with the IAEA to facilitate prompt assistance and support in the event of nuclear accidents or radiological emergencies
- Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management - is the first legally binding international treaty on safety in these areas. It represents a commitment by participating States to achieve and maintain a consistently high level of safety in the management of spent fuel and of radioactive waste as part of the global safety regime for ensuring the proper protection of people and the environment.
