ARPANSA - Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency

Integrated Regulatory Review Service - Mission to Australia - 25 June to 6 July 2007

Full Mission report (PDF 626 kb)

Under the Integrated Regulatory Review Service of the IAEA, an international team of experts in radiation and nuclear safety undertook a review of the regulatory framework and to consider the effectiveness of the implementation of that framework.

The IRRS consists of a comprehensive self-assessment based on the requirements of the IAEA Safety Standards undertaken prior to the Mission, interviews between ARPANSA staff and the international experts as well as observation of inspections and interactions with ARPANSA licence holders during the Mission. The conclusions of the Mission are reported as identification of good practices, suggestions and recommendations.

The emphasis of the process is on self-assessment in order to achieve continuous improvement and to share the experience and the lessons learnt with other radiation regulators. The aim of the IAEA with this program is to achieve harmonisation of nuclear safety.

Scope of the Mission

The areas of review considered by the team of experts are based on the IAEA Safety Standards and include consideration of:

• Legislative and governmental responsibilities, including the authority of the regulatory body
• Organisation of the regulatory body
• Activities of the regulatory body, including the licensing process, review and assessment, inspection and enforcement, the development of regulations and guides. These activities were examined in relation to research reactors, sources and industrial practices, decommissioning, remediation and radioactive waste management.
• Safety and security of radioactive sources
• National infrastructure for radioactive waste, decommissioning and remediation
• Emergency preparedness
• The regulatory body's management system
• Public information and communication

Outcomes of the Mission

ARPANSA will take up the recommendation and suggestions made by the review team as part of the ongoing planning pf the regulatory program.

The results of the Mission to the Commonwealth Government of Australia will be discussed at the senior regulators' meeting at the IAEA General Conference in September 2007.

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