Category: Press Release

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team is in Ukraine this week to assess the nuclear safety impact of recent attacks on its increasingly fragile energy infrastructure, travelling to seven electrical substations on which the country’s nuclear power plants (NPPs) depend to safely generate electricity, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said today.

NPPs need reliable connections to the grid both to deliver the electricity they produce and to receive off-site power for reactor cooling. But repeated attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, including the substations, have weakened its electrical grid and reduced its ability to provide stable off-site power to the NPPs, potentially endangering nuclear safety.

Based on the IAEA’s safety standards, the seven indispensable pillars of nuclear safety and security that Director General Grossi outlined early during the military conflict stressed that “there must be secure off-site power supply from the grid for all nuclear sites”.

“The IAEA’s safety standards stress that it is of paramount importance to ensure the availability of a stable off-site power supply system. In addition, fundamental safety principles state that all efforts must be made to prevent nuclear accidents. A reliable transmission system is a significant contributor to defence in depth for nuclear safety,” Director General Grossi said today.

For the third time during the military conflict, the IAEA sent a team of specialists to substations that have been identified as essential for maintaining nuclear safety at the three sites that are currently producing power – the Khmelnytskyy, Rivne and South Ukraine NPPs – and the Zaporizhzhya NPP and the Chornobyl site, which do not.

The substations function as key nodes in the energy transmission and distribution network and are located at various distances away from these sites in different parts of Ukraine.

The previous IAEA missions to assess the situation at substations in Ukraine, conducted in September and October, documented extensive damage, and also gathered important evidence regarding the vulnerability of the electricity grid.

“During this week’s visits to seven substations, the IAEA’s team is observing and collecting information on the impact on nuclear safety as a result of the latest attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, including those on 28 November. The growing instability of the grid is a major challenge for nuclear safety and the IAEA is taking action to help address this precarious situation,” Director General Grossi said. 

“We will analyse the data that our experts are gathering this week, follow up with technical advice to Ukraine and also identify what additional assistance we can offer to help prevent a nuclear accident during the war,” he said.

The IAEA team is also meeting experts from Ukraine’s grid operator, national nuclear plant operator and nuclear regulator during this week’s mission.

A few days after they reduced electricity output for a third time in less than a month due to renewed attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, most of its nine operational nuclear reactors are once again generating electricity at full power, demonstrating the operators’ resilience in difficult circumstances. As of today, two units are still operating with reduced power due to the reduced grid capacity.

In what has become a frequent occurrence, the IAEA teams at the Khmelnytskyy, Rivne and South Ukraine NPPs and the Chornobyl site all reported air raid alarms over the past week.

The team at the Khmelnytskyy site was required to shelter on Monday morning due to the presence of drones in the area, the closest 900 metres away. In addition, the Ukrainian regulator informed the IAEA that cruise missiles were recorded 3.7 kilometres from the same site last Friday.

At Ukraine’s largest NPP, Zaporizhzhya, the IAEA team reported hearing explosions on most days over the past week at various distances from the site. No damage to the plant, whose six reactors are in cold shutdown, was reported.

The IAEA team based at the Zaporizhzhya NPP (ZNPP) has continued to observe the availability of off-site and on-site power. However, a planned visit to the ZNPP 750 kilovolt (kV) open switchyard today was cancelled by the plant, citing security reasons.

The ZNPP informed the team that newly arrived mobile diesel generators would be used in case of a station blackout, with a total loss of off-site power and inability of the site’s 20 emergency diesel generators to provide enough power to maintain nuclear safety.

Separately this week, as part of its comprehensive programme of assistance in support of nuclear safety and security, the IAEA arranged two new deliveries to Ukraine, bringing the total number of deliveries to 91 since the start of the armed conflict.

The Rivne NPP received medical equipment and supplies such as oximeters, defibrillators, electrocardiographs and similar equipment and the Netishyn hospital received digital X-ray devices. The deliveries were supported with funding from Norway.

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Most of Ukraine’s operating nuclear power reactors once again reduced their electricity output early this morning following renewed attacks on the country’s energy infrastructure, further underlining persistent risks to nuclear safety during the military conflict, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said.

For the third time in less than a month, several units of the Khmelnytskyy, Rivne and South Ukraine nuclear power plants (NPPs) lowered their power levels during widespread military activities in the country, while air raid alarms sounded at the three sites, Director General Grossi said.

One of the IAEA teams deployed in Ukraine was forced to shelter and reported hearing explosive detonations at mid-distance. Additionally, the team at the South Ukraine NPP was informed that military objects were observed flying approximately 300 metres from the site. 

“Our teams deployed in Ukraine have witnessed how the growing instability of Ukraine’s power infrastructure, as a result of frequent military attacks in recent months, is impacting the ability to safely operate the country’s nuclear power plants,” Director General Grossi said.

Ukraine’s operating NPPs have a total of nine reactors, of which five decreased output this morning following instructions from the operator of the national grid, including one unit that was temporarily disconnected from the grid. Two other units were already operating below nominal full capacity following military strikes on the Ukrainian energy infrastructure in late November.

Three of the affected units subsequently returned to nominal full capacity.

There were no reports of direct damage to the NPPs because of today’s attacks and disruption to the electrical grid. While there were no reports of any additional power lines being disconnected, some lines remain disconnected following the previous attacks on 28 November.

NPPs need reliable connections to the grid both to transmit the electricity they produce and to receive off-site power for reactor cooling. The increasing fragility of the electrical infrastructure means that attacks can cause significant fluctuations in the grid, which can affect the availability of safety systems, reducing defence in depth and impacting the nuclear safety of the reactors. The availability and stability of off-site power continues to be one of the main challenges for nuclear safety and security throughout the armed conflict.

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) remains committed to maintaining a presence at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) to help prevent a nuclear accident during the military conflict, despite this week’s drone attack on one of its armoured vehicles during a regular rotation of IAEA teams stationed at the site, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said today.

The 26th team of IAEA staff sent to the ZNPP since the mission was established more than two years ago began their work to monitor and assess nuclear safety and security at the plant immediately after arriving on Tuesday, replacing colleagues who had been there for the past several weeks.

The drone strike took place later the same day, targeting an official vehicle – with the IAEA logo clearly visible – that formed part of a convoy preparing to pick up the departing IAEA team at a handover point on the frontline. No one was harmed in the attack.

“This week’s attack was a stark reminder of the potential dangers our staff are facing as they carry out their important nuclear safety and security work in an active war zone. They deserve all our sincere gratitude for helping to keep the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant safe,” Director General Grossi said.

The drone used was of a model designed to explode on impact, leaving no discernible debris to be recovered for an investigation into the incident.

“Whoever did this knew exactly what was being done. It was our vehicle that was hit. There was a clear intention to intimidate us. But we will not be intimated by this brazen and deplorable attack. We will stay as long as it is needed and continue our indispensable work,” he added.

At the site, the IAEA has continued to monitor maintenance of elements of the ZNPP’s safety systems, particularly that being performed in reactor units 2 and 6.

During the past week, the ZNPP once again utilized some of its nine mobile diesel boilers to provide part of the heating for the plant and the city of Enerhodar, where most staff live, during the winter.

Separately, the IAEA team has observed three new mobile diesel generators located adjacent to the turbine buildings of three of the reactor units. The ZNPP informed the IAEA team that these new generators are in accordance with the regulations of the Russian Federation, as part of post-Fukushima Daiichi accident measures and in addition to those previously implemented by Ukraine.

These three new mobile generators are also in addition to the site’s 20 fixed emergency diesel generators that are designed to provide on-site power, in case of a total loss of off-site power, which has occurred on eight occasions since the start of the armed conflict. In late 2022, the ZNPP received seven other mobile diesel generators, which are now disconnected and not in use.

The IAEA team reported hearing explosions each day over the past week, at some distance away from the ZNPP. No damage to the ZNPP was reported to the team.

Despite the effects of the military conflict, the IAEA teams at the Khmelnytskyy, Rivne and South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) and the Chornobyl site reported that nuclear safety and security at these facilities is being maintained.

All nine reactor units at the Khmelnytskyy, Rivne and South Ukraine NPPs are operating and generating electricity for the national grid. However, two units are operating below full capacity due to limitations within the electrical grid, with some off-site power lines still disconnected following recent attacks on Ukraine’s electrical infrastructure.

The teams continued to report air raid alarms throughout the week, with IAEA personnel at the Khmelnytskyy NPP having to shelter on one occasion. The team at the South Ukraine NPP was informed of multiple missiles and drones detected several kilometers from the site.

As part of its comprehensive programme of assistance in support of nuclear safety and security, the IAEA has arranged three new deliveries to Ukraine over the past week, bringing the total to 89.

The Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center and Hydrometeorological organizations of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine received video conferencing equipment while the Slavutych City Hospital close to Chornobyl and the Varash Hospital near the Rivne NPP received medical equipment such as oximeters, blood pressure monitors, defibrillators, patient monitors and glucometers. The equipment was procured with funds from Belgium and the United States. 

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

A drone hit and severely damaged an official vehicle of the International Atomic Energy Agency during a rotation today of IAEA teams to Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), in what Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi condemned as an “unacceptable” attack on Agency staff working to prevent a nuclear accident during the military conflict.

The IAEA staff, one driver and one security officer, who were in the armoured vehicle at the time of the incident at 2:05 pm local time were both unharmed, but the rear of the vehicle was destroyed.

The incident occurred approximately 8 kilometres from the frontline within Ukrainian controlled territory. The vehicle was in a convoy moving towards the handover point on the frontline to meet the IAEA team that had been stationed at the ZNPP for the past month, as part of the Agency’s efforts to help ensure nuclear safety and security at the site. Earlier in the day, the new IAEA team had been safely driven to the handover point for onward travel to the ZNPP.

“As Director General of the IAEA, I condemn in the most firm terms this attack on IAEA staff,” Director General Grossi said in a statement. “Fortunately, there were no victims, and our teams are safe. The rotation has been completed,” he said.

The driver of a second IAEA vehicle in the convoy saw the Kamikaze drone coming from behind and slamming into the targeted vehicle.

“I have said in the past that attacking a nuclear power plant is a no go. Attacking those who care for the nuclear safety and security of these plants is also absolutely unacceptable,” Director General Grossi said, reiterating his call for maximum restraint.

The IAEA has been present at the ZNPP since 1 September 2022, when Director General Grossi led the first Agency mission to the site. The new team that arrived today is the 26th overall at the ZNPP.

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Ukraine’s three operating nuclear power plants (NPPs) have largely restored their electricity production after sharply reducing output last week as a precautionary step due to renewed attacks on the country’s increasingly fragile energy grid, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said today.

The NPPs – Khmelnytskyy, Rivne and South Ukraine – have nine reactors, of which eight are currently operating while one is in shutdown. Over the past week, most of them have gradually increased output again, even though some units operated below full capacity for several days after the military strikes on 28 November, which affected electrical infrastructure that is essential for nuclear safety. Still, some of the off-site power lines that the plants use both for receiving and transmitting electricity remain disconnected.

“A stable electricity grid that provides secure off-site power is essential to ensure nuclear safety at Ukraine’s operating nuclear power plants, which are vital for producing the electricity the country needs, especially during the cold winter months. The operators have demonstrated significant resilience during and after this latest period of grid instability so that these plants can maintain nuclear safety and generate electricity following last week’s output cuts,“ Director General Grossi said.

“However, the fragile grid situation remains a source of deep concern and we will continue to closely monitor relevant developments, including with follow-up expert visits to the electrical substations on which the nuclear power plants depend. Once again, I call for maximum restraint, so that no action affecting the external power supply and nuclear safety is taken,” he said.

Despite the effects of the military conflict, including frequent air raid alarms, the IAEA teams at the Khmelnytskyy, Rivne and South Ukraine NPPs and the Chornobyl site reported that nuclear safety and security at these facilities is being maintained.

At the Khmelnytskyy NPP, the IAEA team members were required to shelter at the site for a short period of time on Tuesday, but without any impact on the site itself. At the South Ukraine NPP, the IAEA team was informed that a total of 17 drones were detected earlier this week, some three kilometres from the site.

Ukraine’s largest NPP – the Zaporizhzhya site – has not produced electricity for more than two years. Its six units are all in cold shutdown but still require off-site power for reactor cooling and other essential nuclear safety and security functions. However, the situation in this regard remains precarious, with both remaining power lines prone to frequent outages.

In the latest instances highlighting the precarious external power situation, the ZNPP’s last remaining 750 kilovolt (kV) power line was disconnected between 21-23 November, followed last weekend by a two-day disconnection of the 330 kV back-up power line.

Also related to the external power situation, the IAEA team was informed that the voltage stabilizer for the ZNPP’s 750 kV power line, located in an open switchyard outside the plant, was being repaired after it was automatically disconnected by the activation of a protection mechanism. The ZNPP expects to return the voltage stabilizer to operation within the next month. The 750 kV connection was not affected.  

The IAEA team has continued to closely follow the maintenance activities at the ZNPP, including  related to elements of the safety systems of reactor units 2, 3 and 6. The team also visited unit 1 to observe the repairs conducted last month on one leaking impulse line. The team was informed that gamma radiography had been performed on approximately 30 other locations in unit 1, which identified one more weld that had degraded, but without any leak. Both welds were repaired and tested again. The IAEA team will continue to monitor this issue.

The IAEA team continues to be denied access to the external spare parts warehouse and diesel fuel storage facility. However, it has been informed that the diesel fuel storage tank that was damaged more than two years ago has been repaired.

The IAEA team at the ZNPP has continued to hear explosions on most days, mostly at distances far away from the site, and no damage to the plant was reported.

As part of the IAEA’s comprehensive programme of assistance in support of nuclear safety and security, it arranged new deliveries of equipment to Ukraine, bringing the total to 86. The State Enterprise VostGok, an uranium ore mining and processing plant in Ukraine, received a dosimetry system to enhance the capacity to monitor individual doses for their staff exposed to ionizing radiation. The equipment was procured with funds from Japan. With funds provided by Denmark, the country’s Hydrometeorological Center and the Hydrometeorological organizations of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine received three portable liquid nitrogen generators. In addition, one Cisco integrated services router with 10 connecting switches was delivered to the Rivne NPP, made possible with funds provided by Ireland.

Separately, in partnership with France and Ukraine’s Energoatom, the IAEA assisted in the delivery of spare parts and rubber products needed for the timely maintenance of emergency diesel generators at the South Ukraine NPP.

With these deliveries, equipment related to nuclear safety and security worth more than 14 million euros has been delivered to Ukraine since the start of the conflict.

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team of experts has commended Ghana for its commitment to the continuous improvement of nuclear and radiation safety as the country advances its plans to develop a nuclear power programme. The team emphasized that maintaining the effective independence of the Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NRA) in making safety-related decisions is crucial and urged the Government to ensure this independence is upheld and protected.

The ten-day full scope Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) mission – that took place from 25 November to 4 December – was conducted at the request of the Government of Ghana and hosted by the NRA in Accra. It was the first IRRS mission conducted in the country. Its purpose was to perform a peer review of Ghana’s legal and regulatory framework for nuclear, radiation, radioactive waste and transport safety, as well as the interface between safety and nuclear security.

IRRS missions are designed to strengthen the effectiveness of the national nuclear and radiation safety regulatory infrastructure, based on IAEA Safety Standards and international good practices, while recognizing the responsibility of each country to ensure nuclear and radiation safety.

Ghana is embarking on a nuclear power programme and is currently conducting preparatory work to develop the required safety infrastructure for a nuclear power plant, including drafting national policies for nuclear and radiation safety, as well radioactive waste management. Ghana also uses nuclear and radiation technologies in healthcare, agriculture, research and industry.

The IRRS team – comprised of 14 regulatory experts from 13 countries, as well as three IAEA staff members – engaged primarily with the management and staff of the NRA, as well as with representatives from the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI) and the Ministry of Energy. Members of the IRRS team also undertook site visits to and observed regulatory inspection activities at the GHARR-1 Research Reactor facility, the Radioactive Waste Management Centre, an industrial facility using radiation sources and a hospital. During the site visits, the IRRS team members held discussions with management and staff of the facilities.

The IRRS team recognized that the NRA is committed to ensuring continuous improvement of safety and the protection of people and the environment. The IRRS team found that Ghana has affirmed its commitment to nuclear and radiation safety by initiating the development of its management system and regulatory guidance to ensure the consistent implementation of regulatory functions and activities, as well as by inviting an initial IRRS peer review mission.

“The efforts and constructive engagement of NRA staff during the peer review process enabled the IRRS team to gain a comprehensive understanding of Ghana’s regulatory framework,” said Thiagan Pather, IRRS mission Team Leader from the National Nuclear Regulator in South Africa. “As a country with ambitions for a nuclear power programme, it is important that the Government of Ghana and the Nuclear Regulatory Authority work together to deliver the improvements identified during the mission.”

The IRRS team highlighted Ghana’s commitment to safety, in line with international best practices through:

• Establishing the NRA as an independent nuclear regulatory authority;
• Delivering on Ghana’s national obligations under the various international instruments for nuclear and radiation safety;
• Initiating the strengthening of the regulatory framework for nuclear and radiation safety through the development of regulations and guides; and
• Providing support and advocacy for the NRA, through the provision of financial and human resources commensurate with the current national nuclear and radiation programme. This commitment aims to further enhance the regulatory capacity in line with the expanding nuclear power programme, enabling the NRA to grow its capability and capacity to maintain effective regulatory control of all nuclear and radiation facilities and activities in Ghana.

The IRRS team considers that Ghana’s primary challenge is the completion and issuance of regulations and guides to support the consistent and stable implementation of the National Regulatory Act, considering both the existing nuclear and radiation programme in the country and the envisaged nuclear power programme.

Recommendations and suggestions for further improvement include:

• The Government should establish and implement national policies strategies for safety and for radioactive waste management.

• The Government should ensure that all the elements for safety are established through legislation consistent with the IAEA Safety Standards.
• NRA should expedite the development and approval of the management system.
• NRA should establish and implement an enforcement policy and process, including criteria for corrective actions, for responding to non-compliance with regulatory requirements.
• NRA should develop an emergency plan and procedures for the functions assigned to it regarding preparedness and response to nuclear or radiological emergencies.

“The NRA appreciates the efforts of the IAEA to review its nuclear and radiation safety infrastructure within the context of this IRRS mission for Ghana,” said Aba Bentil Andam, NRA Board Chairperson. “The mission has provided the NRA with a clear understanding of the state of its regulatory infrastructure with reference to the IAEA Safety Standards. The results of the mission will be helpful to the NRA in its quest to improve the nuclear and radiation safety infrastructure to adequately ensure the protection of people and the environment.” The final mission report will be provided to the Government of Ghana in about three months.

“I am confident that the recommendations and suggestions by the IRRS review mission will be implemented by Ghana to strengthen their national regulatory framework for safety, and they intend to invite the IAEA for a follow-up mission within the next few years.” said Hildegarde Vandenhove, Director of the IAEA Division of Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety.

IAEA Safety Standards

The IAEA Safety Standards provide a robust framework of fundamental principles, requirements and guidance to ensure safety. They reflect an international consensus and serve as a global reference for protecting people and the environment from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation.

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team of experts said Bulgaria has a comprehensive and robust regulatory framework for nuclear and radiation safety covering all facilities and activities. The mission found that the overall performance of Bulgaria’s regulatory system would be enhanced with the adoption of a national safety policy and strategy in line with IAEA safety standards.

The Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) mission was conducted at the request of the Government of Bulgaria and hosted by the Bulgarian Nuclear Regulatory Agency (BNRA), the regulatory body for nuclear and radiation safety in Bulgaria, and the Ministry of Health (MoH). Taking place from 17 to 29 November, the IRRS reviewed Bulgaria’s national regulatory framework for nuclear, radiation, radioactive waste and transport safety.

Using IAEA safety standards and international good practices, IRRS missions are designed to strengthen the effectiveness of the national legal and regulatory infrastructures, while recognizing the responsibility of each country to ensure nuclear and radiation safety. This is the second IRRS mission that Bulgaria has hosted since the IAEA’s IRRS programme began in 2006.

The IRRS team consisted of 16 senior regulatory experts from 15 IAEA Member States, two observers and three IAEA staff members.

In Bulgaria, nuclear energy provides roughly 40 per cent of the country’s electricity through the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), which has two pressurized-water reactor units each providing an installed power of approximately 1000 MWe. The Bulgarian nuclear programme plans to construct two new nuclear power units utilizing AP1000 technology at the Kozloduy NPP site. The country also uses nuclear and radiation technologies in medicine, industry and research.

During the 12-day mission, the team met with officials from the BNRA and MoH and made site visits to observe regulatory inspections at the Kozloduy NPP; Kozloduy State Enterprise Radioactive Waste Management (SE RAW); Controltest Ltd., a company working in destructive and non-destructive testing; Theta Consult Ltd., working in radiation control and radiation protection; and Acibadem City Clinic.

“Bulgaria has a comprehensive and mature regulatory infrastructure for nuclear and radiation safety. The challenge for BNRA will be to prepare itself for the regulatory oversight of the expected expansion of Bulgaria’s nuclear power programme,” said IRRS team leader Zia Hussain Shah, Director General of Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority. “We recommend that Bulgaria further improve its radiation protection framework, especially in the medical sector.”

The IRRS team observed that BNRA has a culture of continuous improvement and is a mature and competent regulator, which fulfils its statutory obligations without undue influence. The team identified several areas of good performances, including:

• The BNRA, through its Communication Policy, proactively engages key stakeholders by using its website, social media and dedicated regular press conferences to provide updated information on nuclear and radiation safety in Bulgaria.
• Daily communications between site inspectors and BNRA headquarters staff ensure that BNRA is consistently updated on the safety status of nuclear installations, enabling timely regulatory responses when necessary.
• The BNRA maintains a comprehensive registry and database for radiation sources with direct inputs from licensees, enabling BNRA to systematically check the status of radiation sources in facilities and to track the import and export of those sources in real time.
• The Regulation on Protection during Medical Exposure outlines the provisions for justification of medical exposure involving both the prescribing physician and the radiological medical practitioner, especially in the case of fetuses, children and asymptomatic individuals.

The team also provided recommendations and suggestions to help Bulgaria enhance its regulatory framework, including for the Government to:

• Adopt the national policy and strategy for safety addressing all elements in line with IAEA safety fundamentals.
• Adequately increase BNRA’s budget to cater for regulatory activities associated with the planned expansion of Bulgaria’s nuclear power programme.
• Ensure that there is a comprehensive long term strategy for human resource development for BNRA and MoH, with consideration of adequate remuneration of regulatory staff in comparison with other national nuclear organizations.
• Finalize the revision of the Strategy for Spent Fuel and Radioactive Waste Management.

Additional recommendations and suggestions were made specifically for BNRA and the MoH, including:

• BNRA should conduct an independent assessment of leadership for safety and safety culture throughout the organization.
• BNRA should consider implementing processes of review and revision of regulation and guides in a systematic and timely manner.
• MoH should consider developing guidelines for the release of patients who have undergone therapeutic radiological procedures with implanted sealed sources.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the IRRS team and our Bulgarian counterparts for their dedicated efforts over the past two weeks,” said Tsanko Bachiyski, Chairman of BNRA. “The IRRS mission reaffirms our commitment to the continuous enhancement of nuclear and radiation safety. BNRA will leverage the mission’s outcomes to further strengthen our regulatory capabilities and national safety infrastructure.”

The IRRS team’s final report will be provided to the Government of Bulgaria in about three months.

IAEA Safety Standards

The IAEA Safety Standards provide a robust framework of fundamental principles, requirements and guidance to ensure safety. They reflect an international consensus and serve as a global reference for protecting people and the environment from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation.