Regulatory Infrastructure
Strengthening regulatory infrastructure and harmonizing the application of the radiation safety standards
Strengthening national regulatory infrastructure
Rationale - The Agency has established methodologies, procedures and tools for detailed assessment of the effectiveness of national regulatory programmes for the control of radiation sources, in particular high risk sources. Amongst these has been the Radiation and Security of Sources Infrastructure Appraisal (RaSSIA), which has been successfully implemented in more than 60 countries since 2004. This service, greatly valued by Member States, will be provided in the future through the Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS). In parallel, a self-assessment tool will be provided to States to enable them to assess, and hence ensure, the effectiveness and the efficiency of their national programmes for the control of radiation sources. As part of the Agency's strategy for education and training, there is a need to focus on enabling countries to establish or upgrade their own training programmes for regulators so that they can perform their regulatory functions effectively and in a sustainable manner. Crucial to this is the development of a staffing plan for the regulatory body, setting out staffing and training needs. A particular issue is that many regulatory bodies have key staff approaching retirement age and there has been no succession planning to ensure their replacement with persons with the right skills. In addition, training is also needed for non-regulatory body personnel associated with the regulation of radiation safety, including customs officers, police officers, lawyers and border guards.
Objective
To establish and strengthen effective and sustainable national regulatory infrastructures for the control of radiation sources and for all types of exposures through continuous professional development of qualified regulators, and the exchange of information, expertise and experience between the national regulatory bodies and the Agency through networking;
To achieve the sustainability of national safety infrastructures by strengthening and conducting Integrated Regulatory Review Services (IRRS) and promoting self-assessment by States.
Major Tasks for 2008-2009
- Finalize Self Assessment Tool for evaluation of national regulatory infrastructures by Member States themselves
- Organize workshops on Self- Assessment Tool
- Review and finalize the IRRS
- Develop and finalize safety report on establishment of staffing plan and development of qualified manpower for operation of national regulatory infrastructure
- Develop safety report on procedures needed for regulatory control of radioactive sources
- Participate in the organization of International Conference on Effective Nuclear Regulatory Systems
- Develop training materials for regulators and staff from Agency involved in the regulatory process
For further information please contact J. Wheatley
