In the period 9 – 16 October 2017, CNCAN has received a peer review mission „Integrated Regulatory Review Service” (IRRS), conducted under the auspices of the IAEA. The mission is a follow-up one and it is designated for evaluation of the progress achieved by CNCAN since the previous IRRS full-scope mission that took place in 2011.

The international team of experts that performed the review consisted of 14 specialists, representatives of the IAEA, of the regulatory authorities from Canada, Russian Federation, France, Germany, Ireland, Hungary. The IRRS Team Leader was an expert of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and the European Commission representative participated as observer. The expertise and experience of the international team of experts has been of a real benefit.

The IRRS mission, being a follow-up type, was designated to assess how have been implemented the recommendations / suggestions issued in 2011 and which addressed issues like : nuclear safety, radiological safety, transport safety, safe management of radioactive waste security of radioactive sources, emergency preparedness and response to radiological / nuclear emergency. IRRS process aims to accomplish these objectives by taking into account both technical and political aspects of the regulatory nature compared to the IAEA safety standards and, where appropriate, to the best practices.

In order to evaluate, the IRRS team had discussions with the CNCAN president and CNCAN staff and has recognised and appreciated the effectiveness of the regulatory system, the competence of the CNCAN staff, the transparency and openness in relation with the stakeholders and with the licensees, as well as the proper coordination and efficient integration of the two important concepts: nuclear security and safety.

During the discussion with the leadership of the General Secretariat of the Government the IRRS team appreciated the support given by the Romanian Government in order to fulfill and implement the recommendations and suggestions developed in the previous mission. The team of experts also appreciated the support given to CNCAN by the approval of the Law no. 111/1996 on the safe deployment, regulation, authorization and control of nuclear activities, which regulates among other things, the providing of sufficient human and financial resources for CNCAN so that the CNCAN’s activities to contribute to the obtaining of an appropriate level of nuclear safety and security, providing the protection of the population and environment properly.

Following the discussions and evaluation carried out, there were declared closed 30 of the 34 recommendations and all 18 suggestions and were issued 8 new recommendations and 4 suggestions. The recommendations and suggestions aimed the improvement of the regulatory activity in Romania, addressed both to CNCAN and the governmental authorities, mainly considering the elaboration and implementation of policies and strategies in nuclear field, the necessity to assure sufficient financial and human resources for CNCAN. The recommendations and suggestions referred mainly to the implementation of the National Strategy for Nuclear Safety and Security, maintaining and attracting experienced staff, improvement of the related database related to radiation sources, implementation of related procedures on the management of radioactive waste, emergency preparedness and response.

CNCAN recognizes the importance of the IRRS recommendations and suggestions and will take measures for ensuring all conditions for their implementation.