HSE welcomes IAEA report

Date:

5 February 2010

Release No:

123/2009

The Health and Safety Executive has welcomed the publication of a second report into its Nuclear Directorate from the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

A team of senior nuclear regulators from across the world visited the UK in October 2009 to perform a second peer review of ND's work in regulating safety at Britain's nuclear facilities, the first being in 2006.

During the Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) mission, the IAEA visited two UK licensed sites and considered ND's self-assessment, together with progress since the first IRRS Mission in 2006.

IAEA also reviewed transition plans for ND to become an independent Nuclear Statutory Corporation (NSC).

Speaking of HSE's plans to set ND up as a NSC the IAEA Deputy Director General for Nuclear Safety and Security, Mr Tomihiro Taniguchi said the UK sets a global example.

He said: "It is so timely and vitally important to implement the UK Government's decision to set up HSE's Nuclear Directorate as an autonomous, more independent, well resourced nuclear regulator.

"This is the UK showing an encouraging example to all in the world in preparing for the challenges of the future."

The IAEA is the world's centre of co-operation in the international nuclear safety field. The Agency works with Member States and multiple partners worldwide to promote safe, secure and peaceful nuclear technologies.

During the 2006 Mission the IAEA team recognised the UK nuclear safety regulatory system as mature, transparent with an advanced review process with highly trained, expert and experienced staff. It also found the Nuclear Inspections Inspectorate (NII) was internationally recognised for its contribution to safety regulation. Thirteen areas of good practice were identified in the 2006 report, the most of any other country reviewed up to that time.

In the second mission, the IAEA found ND has made further 'significant progress' toward improving its effectiveness in regulating existing nuclear power plants and in preparing to assess new nuclear reactors designs in a 'changing and challenging environment'. It also recognised additional areas of good practice as well as putting forward topics where ND could improve further to reach its aim of being world leading.

Mike Weightman, Head of ND and HM Chief Inspector of Nuclear Installations said: "The Nuclear Directorate welcomes this important peer review of our regulatory arrangements and practices. It helps us in pushing forward our continuous improvement programme to ensure we maintain our ability to be a world leader in nuclear regulation in a period of significant change."

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