An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) team of experts said Jordan has a comprehensive and well-established regulatory framework for nuclear and radiation safety. The team also identified several areas where improvements could be made to enhance the overall effectiveness of the national regulatory system in line with international safety standards.
The review was carried out at the request of the Government of Jordan and hosted by the Energy & Minerals Regulatory Commission (EMRC), the national regulatory body responsible for radiation and nuclear safety.
Jordan uses radiation sources in medical, industrial and research applications and operates a research and training reactor. The country is also considering the introduction of nuclear power as a strategic option to diversify generation sources within the national energy strategy and achieve long term energy security.
The nine-day mission was conducted by 12 experts from Brazil, Canada, Croatia, Egypt, Finland, Lithuania, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden and Switzerland and three staff members from the IAEA. The mission reviewed Jordan’s government, legal and regulatory framework against IAEA Safety Standards and the Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources.
The review covered the government’s and regulatory body’s responsibilities and functions; the global nuclear safety regime; the regulatory framework; the integrated management system, regulations and guidance documents; authorisation, review and assessment; inspection and enforcement; and emergency preparedness and response.
The mission included interviews with government officials and regulatory staff, as well as site visits to the Jordan Research and Training Reactor, the radiotherapy and nuclear medicine facilities at Al Basheer Hospital, the Radioactive Waste Treatment Facility and the Gamma Irradiation Facility used for sterilizing medical products.
“A strong safety framework depends not only on sound laws, institutions and regulatory processes, but also on a sustained commitment to learning and continuous improvement. The IRRS team found these important elements in Jordan,” said Ramzi Jammal, Executive Vice-President of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and team leader. “The mission identified strengths that support effective regulatory oversight, as well as opportunities for further enhancement that will help Jordan continue strengthening its nuclear and radiation safety framework.”
The team noted seven areas of good performance by EMRC, including: sustained commitment to international peer review, transparency and continuous improvement; accessible and inclusive communication arrangements including sign language interpretation; innovative outreach to children and the wider public about radiation safety; promoting radiation protection in industries using naturally occurring radioactive materials; identification and recognition of good performances of licensees; innovative radon mapping in hard-to-access areas; and applying a graded approach to transport emergency preparedness and response.
The team also identified four areas for further enhancement, including to:
- Further develop the integrated management system;
- Enhance the consistency and effectiveness of core regulatory functions including authorisation, review and assessment, and inspection and enforcement;
- Strengthen specific nuclear and radiation safety requirements and regulatory arrangements, for example to establish authorisation provisions across the lifecycle of radiation source facilities;
- Modernise regulatory records and record keeping.
“Participating in this IAEA mission reflects Jordan’s commitment to maintaining an independent and effective regulatory system that protects people and the environment, through a comprehensive review of the legal and regulatory framework and regulatory functions, including authorization, assessment, inspection and enforcement” said Zeyad Al-Saaydeh, Chairman of the EMRC Board of Commissioners.
He added: “The mission also represents an opportunity to benefit from international expertise and identify areas for improvement and development, thereby enhancing the nuclear safety and radiation protection system and ensuring the safe and responsible use of nuclear and radiation technologies for peaceful purposes.”
The Head of the IAEA Regulatory Infrastructure and Transport Safety Section, Hilaire Mansoux, said the mission “demonstrates Jordan’s dedication to strengthening its regulatory infrastructure and, consequently, enhancing nuclear and radiation safety nationwide.” The final mission report will be provided to the Government of Jordan in about three months.
