Information and Communication Networks

Maintaining information and harmonizing technical support to Member States

 

Rationale - The Secretariat, in complying with its statutory function of providing for the application of safety standards has to ensure that advice and support provided to its Members States is harmonized and based on international standards. To help ensure that advice is given based on the most current information regarding a Members State’s radiation safety infrastructure, and their progress toward implementing international standards, the Agency introduced Country Radiation and Waste Safety Profiles. These profiles compile relevant information in a narrative form, pinpointing areas where more information should be sought or those calling for action. These profiles are an important tool for implementing a strategic approach to providing Agency assistance, and assist with the development of Country Radiation and Waste Safety Action plans to deal with
gaps resulting from a comparison of the profiles against the international standards, including the new guidance from the Code of Conduct. The profiles assist the Agency with the development of action plans that, if
successfully implemented, would improve the national radiation safety infrastructure in States. For these profiles to be used effectively, the profiles need to be continuously updated with relevant information for each Member
State as the information becomes available to the Agency.

A set of essential regulatory framework-related parameters has been identified for a quantitative comparison of this infrastructure component in the participating countries (GOV/INF/2003/19). These parameters, among other things, include: legislation, regulations, effective independence of regulatory authority, regulatory authority staffing and training, notification and authorization, inspection and review and enforcement. A quantitative assessment scheme (QAS) or performance indicators will be used to measure the level of achievement for each
parameter. Assessment criteria have been adopted for each parameter in relation to relevant requirements of the BSS and other related Agency safety requirements. Meeting the criteria is equivalent to full compliance with the BSS and related Agency safety requirements.

Objective

To ensure consistent and harmonized technical support to Member States based on accurate and up-to-date information contained in Country Radiation and Waste Safety Profiles, and the use of Performance Indicators.

Major Tasks for 2006-2007

For further information please contact P. O'Donnell.

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Regulatory Authority Information System (RAIS)

Based on the experience gained in the field and the new guidance provided by the Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources, as well as the new requirements of the categorization and the security of radioactive sources, a new version of RAIS has been being developed.

RAIS version 3 is a management tool on information related to the regulatory controls of radiation sources. It offers the possibilities to the regulatory authority to manage its daily activities.

The new version of RAIS covers the following areas:

This new version is currently in the final stage of being translated into Arabic, Chinese, French, Spanish, Russian and Ukranian. Regional and national workshops will be organized in these languages, in 2005.

In order to assist the States to use the new system three regional workshops have been organized in Africa, East Asia and Europe. In this context, 90 participants from 45 Member and non-Member states have been training. In addition assistance is being provided to these States to assist them in the installation and customisation of the system.

For further information please contact B. Djermouni


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