Description
The nuclear field in Romania is well developed, including, among others, a nuclear power plant at Cernavoda, several research nuclear reactors and users of ionizing radiation. These activities must be strictly regulated and controlled to the highest standards to ensure public health and safety. The National Commission for Nuclear Activities Control (CNCAN) is the nuclear safety and security regulatory authority of Romania, responsible for the strategy and policies for regulation, licensing and control with regard to nuclear and radiological safety, non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, protection of installations and materials, transport of radioactive materials and safe management of radioactive waste and spent fuel. The objective of the project is to improve the competence of CNCAN by providing much needed capacity building tools, such as new and updated methodologies and working procedures, training for its staff, purchase of IT and safety equipment, etc. This will be achieved through the exchange of experience and best practices with the Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Summary of project results
Keeping nuclear activities safe and ensuring that the great advantages of these technologies are used to the benefit of the people, is a constant preoccupation of governments around the world. International cooperation is a key aspect of this safeguarding system. The project has significantly contributed to the strengthening of the capacity of the Romanian nuclear regulatory authority (CNCAN), through cooperation and exchange of knowledge with the Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority and the International Atomic Energy Agency. The main results achieved within the project are: - CNCAN together with the authorities involved in emergency response, tested the ability to respond to a potential nuclear emergency under the Valahia 2016 exercise; - 42 new documents consisting of the draft regulations, methodologies or internal working procedures have been developed within the project; - 937 specialists from the CNCAN and other specialists from entities with responsibilities in the nuclear field have improved their professional skills by participating in training sessions, workshops, events for the exchange of experiences and best practices organized within the project; - 61 hardware, software systems and equipment were procured/installed/upgraded in order to strengthening the CNCAN capacity; - 26 recommendations and suggestions for improvement the Romanian nuclear system were implemented, resulting from international missions for assessing national regulatory infrastructure and nuclear control. - 136 Scientific visits, workshops and other events facilitating exchange of experience and best-practices
Summary of bilateral results
The Project represented a platform for sharing experience and best practices between the CNCAN, NRPA and the international nuclear community through the IAEA active involvement. During the project implementation one of the main roles of NRPA was to plan, organize, and conduct an emergency preparedness and response exercise in Romania involving nuclear security, radiation protection, and consequences management aspects. Additionally, NRPA was involved in joint activities with CNCAN for sharing experience and best practices in the area of safety analysis, inspections, radioactive waste management, and decommissioning of nuclear installations. During the implementation of the project IAEA provided training to CNCAN and NRPA staff on the subject matters of identified eight focus areas, and assisted CNCAN in acquiring various software, hardware, models, databases, and equipment needed for the proper conduct of its regulatory activities. The involvement of the IAEA facilitated the implementation of the project activities according to the latest updated international standards and with the participation of top international experts.