Nuclear Safety & Security

Self-Assessment of Regulatory Infrastructure for Safety (SARIS)

Objective

The IAEA Self-Assessment of Regulatory Infrastructure for Safety (SARIS) methodology and tools have been developed to support States' routine and regular self-evaluation of national regulatory infrastructure for nuclear and radiation safety in terms of compatibility with IAEA safety standards.

The IAEA SARIS methodology and tools are a development of the former IAEA SAT self-assessment system. Current SAT users will note that SARIS incorporates their feedback on SAT and will find transition from SAT to SARIS to be straightforward.

Features

SARIS is available as a server based application or as a desktop stand-alone software; however, it is compatible with the Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) Guidelines, and may be used both in preparation for, and during the conduct of, an IRRS
SARIS enables efficient, comparable and objective implementation of the various phases of the IAEA Self-Assessment Methodology. In particular, through completing SARIS question-sets (all derived from relevant IAEA Safety Standards and international undertakings)and in so doing, providing evidence and justification to support answers given. The methodology culminates in an internal analysis of the State's SARIS responses and evidence, leading to the planning and implementation within SARIS, of a continuous improvement plan for the national regulatory infrastructure
SARIS is modular in both its design and use. The question-sets includes core and thematic modules. Further thematic modules are expected to be added in due course and will be easily accessed via the Internet
SARIS permanently archives self-assessment outputs in the form of a detailed SARIS Report, including the State's responses to question-sets, appended documentary evidence and the analysis of responses for all modules addressed in any one self-assessment lifecycle
SARIS offers an electronically generated ‘Priority Assignment’ (PA) value for each core and thematic module and for the self-assessment overall, providing an indication of where the most immediate improvement needs may lie. This computerized snapshot is derived from the answers provided to the question-sets and is used only to direct priorities during the analysis phase
SARIS and its Report are structured to facilitate action planning for the continuous improvement of regulatory infrastructure in accordance with identified priorities and realistically achievable objectives
The SARIS Report is freely editable and where required, may form the basis of the Advance Reference Material (ARM) for IRRS and other IAEA review programmes. Once the Report is agreed to be accurate and complete, it may be archived as a permanent record, thus serving as a comprehensive ‘snapshot’ of the status of the regulatory infrastructure at a particular time
The IAEA self-assessment process and SARIS are applicable in all Member States, irrespective of the current status of their regulatory infrastructure for safety. The software (which incorporates a high level of confidentiality and data security) will run on any Microsoft Windows® based system

The beta version of the SARIS software has been released and may be downloaded from the IAEA website. Comments, questions and feedback are welcome.

Advantages

SAT screenshot The IAEA self-assessment programme facilitates planned and progressive improvement of the legislative and governmental infrastructure for safety and contributes fundamentally to States' efforts to enhance the effectiveness of regulatory activities. Thus, the IAEA encourages every Member State to implement Self-Assessment of Regulatory Infrastructure for Safety as an integral part of its national regulatory body’s management system for routine, cyclic measurement, assessment and improvement of regulatory performance.

The IAEA is providing support to its Member States in the implementation of the IAEA Self-Assessment Methodology and SARIS software. For further information or support with training, installation, customization or use of the IAEA self-assessment process and SARIS, please contact the Regulatory Infrastructure and Transport Safety Section of NSRW, or the Regulatory Activities Section of NSNI.

Member States’ feedback on the IAEA Self-Assessment Methodology and the SARIS beta release is encouraged, in order that the system may be continuously improved and adapted to the evolving needs of regulatory bodies.