An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) team of experts said Romania has significantly strengthened its regulatory framework for nuclear and radiation safety.
Efforts praised include Romania's approval of a National Strategy on Nuclear Safety and Security (NSNSS) and progress related to the management of radioactive waste and nuclear spent fuel.
The IRRS team concluded an eight-day follow-up mission to Romania on 16 October to review the implementation of recommendations and suggestions made by a 2011 mission. The team was hosted by the Government and the National Commission for Nuclear Activities Control (CNCAN), which is responsible for nuclear and radiation safety in Romania.
The IRRS team found that Romania had "systematically addressed" the findings made by the previous mission, implementing most of its recommendations and taking into account the lessons learned from the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi accident in Japan.
The team said the Romanian government showed a strong commitment to nuclear safety and demonstrated improvements in the regulatory framework that included its approval a national strategy, progress on radioactive waste and plans to increase the regulator’s operational budget and ensure appropriate staffing levels.
“CNCAN staff has made significant efforts in the last few years to deliver on their mandate and strive to address the 2011 IRRS mission recommendations,” said IRRS team leader Miguel Santini, former Director of the Darlington Regulatory Program Division at the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. “Work remains to be done due to staffing constraints, but recent steps by the government to amend the legislation on the safe deployment of nuclear activities will enable CNCAN to complete the work.”
The team noted that CNCAN should continue establishing an integrated management system and institute a national programme for training emergency responders.
The final mission report will be provided to the government of Romania in about three months and is expected to be made public.
