2015-2016
Official launch of the Valahia 2016 Exercise
On Monday, 19 September this year, starting at 11.00, at the Sheraton Hotel in Bucharest, the National Commission for Nuclear Activities Control (CNCAN) organized the launch event of the Valahia 2016 national exercise. The main purpose of this event was to inform the participants about the conduct of the Valahia 2016 national exercise. During the event, the organizers presented the objectives of the exercise and answered the questions of the representatives of all the national and local institutions involved in the conduct of this exercise.
The Valahia 2016 Exercise is supported through the Norway Grants programme of the Norwegian Government, in cooperation with the Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority, and its main purpose is to test the nuclear emergency response capacity of the central and local public authorities by simulating a nuclear emergency situation at the Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant (NPP). The exercise will verify and confirm the integration of the nuclear emergency response plans and procedures into the national emergency management system. At the same time, it will test the participating organizations' understanding of their emergency response roles, responsibilities and capabilities, and will identify best practices and the areas in which improvements are required, following the evaluation of the exercise.
Through our involvement in the preparations for this exercise, we aim to demonstrate to the local and international community and to the population that we are fully aware of, and attentive to, compliance with the requirements for safety, security and the protection of the population and the environment.
The institutions involved in the conduct of the Valahia 2016 Exercise are: CNCAN, Cernavodă NPP, Cernavodă Town Hall, Constanța Prefecture, Societatea Națională Nuclearelectrica S.A. (SNN), the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of National Defence, the Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Government Operational Command Centre, and the Bucharest Emergency Hospital.
This type of exercise is standard practice in the nuclear field, with a view to constantly improving response capacity and ensuring a prompt and effective response to nuclear and radiological emergencies.
Press release
On Monday, 29 August 2016, the National Commission for Nuclear Activities Control organized the public debate on the development of the draft Regulation on the management of emergency situations specific to radiological and nuclear risk.
During the discussions, the draft Framework Structure of the Regulation on the management of emergency situations was presented, following the entry into force of Government Decision (GD) no. 557/2016 on the management of risk types, together with the responsibilities incumbent on the emergency situations committees set up within the lead responsible authorities, which are required to issue regulations on the management of emergency situations specific to the type of risk assigned to them. The draft Regulation on the management of emergency situations specific to radiological and nuclear risk was submitted to the attention of the participants in the debate, with a presentation of the way in which the management of the two types of risk assigned to CNCAN, set out in Annex no. 1 to GD no. 557/2016, points 14 and 22, will be ensured across the areas of action, as well as the bases for planning the response to a nuclear or radiological emergency, the classification of hazards, the planning zones and distances, the protection strategy and the main elements of the response to a nuclear or radiological emergency.
The debate was attended by representatives of CNCAN, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (IGSU), the Ministry of National Defence, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests, the Government Operational Command Centre, the Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant, Societatea Națională Nuclearelectrica S.A. (SNN), MBTelecom, the National Institute of Public Health, the Nuclear Fuel Plant (FCN) Pitești, the Romanian Society for Radiological Protection, the National Environmental Protection Agency and the National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority.
Within no more than 10 days, the following documents will be published on the CNCAN website: the minutes of the public debate, the table of the written recommendations collected, and the improved version of the draft Regulation resulting from the public debate.
Press release
26.09.2016
From 26 to 30 September 2016, the 60th regular session of the IAEA General Conference is taking place at the headquarters of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna.
The General Conference is the highest decision-making body of the IAEA; it brings together the representatives of all IAEA Member States and meets annually, in September, to consider and approve the IAEA's programme and budget and to decide on other matters of interest to the Member States and the international community.
Romania is represented at this conference by a delegation led by Mr Cristian ISTRATE, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Romania to the International Organizations in Vienna, a delegation that includes representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Energy, the National Commission for Nuclear Activities Control, the Nuclear and Radioactive Waste Agency (ANDR), Societatea Națională Nuclearelectrica S.A. (SNN) and the Technologies for Nuclear Energy State Owned Company (RATEN) – Institute for Nuclear Research (ICN) Pitești.
CNCAN is represented at this event by a delegation led by Mr Gabril PETRE, President, and will also take part in a series of bilateral meetings with representatives of the delegations of Canada, the USA, the IAEA, NEA/OECD and NRPA, and in the other related events organized on this occasion.
Press release
From 21 to 23 April 2016, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), H.E. Yukiya AMANO, is paying a visit to Romania.
During this visit, on 21 April this year, Mr AMANO, together with Mr Cornel FERUȚĂ, Chief Coordinator of the IAEA, were received at the CNCAN headquarters by the President of CNCAN.
The President of CNCAN reiterated our institution's commitment to compliance with nuclear safety and security requirements, to preventing the use of nuclear and radioactive materials for illicit purposes, and to promoting international cooperation as an essential factor in establishing a common framework for nuclear safety and security.
In the discussions held, the President of CNCAN thanked Mr AMANO for the permanent and constant support that CNCAN has received from the IAEA in improving its infrastructure and the competences of its own staff, while underlining our commitment to implementing the IAEA Action Plan on Nuclear Safety. Both sides raised issues concerning the implementation of the recommendations of the review missions carried out by the IAEA at CNCAN.
CNCAN welcomed the role that the IAEA will play in monitoring the implementation of the commitments undertaken by the states developing nuclear programmes at the Summits organized under the aegis of the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism.
In closing, Mr AMANO thanked our institution for its constant support and for the involvement of CNCAN experts through their participation in peer review missions and in other actions carried out under the aegis of the IAEA.
The President of CNCAN accompanied Mr AMANO on his visits to the Border Police Command and Control Centre, to the inauguration ceremony of the cooperation between the IAEA and the Institute for Nuclear Research in Pitești, and to the Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant.
Press release
On 20 January 2016, in Sofia, Bulgaria, the signing ceremony took place for the Arrangement between the National Commission for Nuclear Activities Control (CNCAN) of Romania and the Nuclear Regulatory Agency of the Republic of Bulgaria (NRA) on the exchange of technical information and cooperation in the field of the regulation and control of nuclear safety and radiation protection.
The Arrangement was signed on behalf of the Romanian party by Mr Gabril PETRE, President of CNCAN, and on behalf of the Bulgarian party by Mr Latchesar KOSTOV, Chairman of the NRA.
By signing this arrangement, the parties formalized their shared wish to cooperate in specific areas such as: the analysis and assessment of nuclear safety and radiation protection, reviews and inspections, reporting on incidents of significance for nuclear safety and radiation protection, the regulatory body's assessment of the performance indicators of nuclear power plants, the management of radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel, including safe transport and storage, nuclear material accountancy and control, physical protection measures for nuclear installations, and nuclear safety regulations and guides.
The cooperation is to be carried out both through exchange visits between the specialists of the signatory parties and through the organization of courses, seminars, conferences and any other actions in the areas of cooperation.
In their capacity as nuclear regulatory authorities, the cooperation between CNCAN and NRA will contribute to creating an effective framework ensuring that the applications of nuclear energy do not pose a danger to public health and the environment.
The signing of this Arrangement is to the benefit of both parties, in view of European and international trends in the nuclear sector, as well as developments in the nuclear field in the region.
The Arrangement was concluded for a period of 5 years, with automatic extension for additional periods of 5 years.
Press release
From 28 September to 2 October 2015, in Bucharest, CNCAN is hosting the 35th meeting of the Working Group on Waste and Decommissioning (WGWD), the working group for the harmonization of regulations on the safe management of decommissioning and radioactive waste, of the Western European Nuclear Regulators Association (WENRA).
WENRA is the association of nuclear safety regulatory authorities in Europe. The major objectives pursued by WENRA are: developing a common approach to nuclear safety, radioactive waste management, the decommissioning of nuclear installations and the relevant regulations within the European Union, as well as providing an independent assessment of nuclear safety in the Member States of the European Union.
To achieve these objectives, WENRA works through the meetings of the following working groups:
- RHWG (Reactor Harmonization Working Group) - the working group for the harmonization of the nuclear safety approach for nuclear power reactors;
- WGWD (Working Group on Waste and Decommissioning) - the working group for the harmonization of regulations on the safe management of decommissioning and radioactive waste;
- WIG (Inspection Working Group) - the working group on inspection practice.
The meeting hosted by CNCAN is attended by 25 persons, the representatives of the regulatory bodies of the WENRA member states who are members of the WGWD.
The discussions focus on the following topics: review of the results obtained by the WGWD; review, verification and completion of the safety requirements for radioactive waste processing; verification of the harmonization of the safety requirements for radioactive waste disposal with the requirements of the member states; the approach to drafting the documents containing the general requirements applicable to the management of radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel; and the working arrangements for future meetings of the WGWD group.
Press release
From 14 to 18 September 2015, the 59th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is taking place in Vienna.
The General Conference is the highest decision-making body, bringing together the representatives of all Member States; it meets annually, in September, to consider and approve the IAEA's programme and budget and to decide on other matters of interest brought to its attention by the Board of Governors, the IAEA Director General or the representatives of the Member States.
The plenary session and the technical meetings will address numerous topics concerning, among others, nuclear safety, technical cooperation, the safety of transport and of radioactive waste, the strengthening of the IAEA's activities, and the application of safeguards in the Middle East.
Romania is represented at this conference by a delegation led by Ambassador Cristian Istrate, Permanent Representative of Romania to the International Organizations in Vienna, a delegation that includes representatives of the National Commission for Nuclear Activities Control (CNCAN), the Nuclear and Radioactive Waste Agency (ANDR), the Ministry of Energy, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Business Environment (MEIMMMA), the Technologies for Nuclear Energy State Owned Company (RATEN), the “Horia Hulubei” National Institute of Physics and Nuclear Engineering (IFIN-HH), Societatea Națională Nuclearelectrica S.A. (SNN) and the Permanent Mission of Romania to the International Organizations in Vienna.
The CNCAN delegation, led by Mr Gabril PETRE, President of CNCAN, will take part in the proceedings of the General Conference and in the other meetings organized on this occasion, and will hold bilateral meetings with the representatives of the regulatory bodies attending the Conference and with representatives of the IAEA.
Press release on the organization of the Workshop of the International Working Forum on the Regulation and Supervision of Legacy Mining Sites
From 7 to 10 September 2015, the National Commission for Nuclear Activities Control (CNCAN), with the support of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), will organize in Sibiu the ”Workshop of the International Working Forum on the Regulation and Supervision of Legacy Mining Sites”. The event will be attended by specialists from 17 countries, including Romania, as well as by experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The main objective of the workshop is to create and implement a unified and effective vision for regulatory institutions with regard to the regulation, supervision, remediation and post-remediation monitoring of legacy uranium mining sites, in accordance with the best standards, international practices and nuclear safety principles promoted by the IAEA. To achieve this objective, the workshop will rely on the exchange of experience and information between the participating countries, in particular by promoting discussions on regulation and on how to implement effective supervision, as well as on the dissemination of good practices in the areas mentioned.
At the same time, the workshop aims to present an overview of the problems encountered in the process of regulating, supervising and remediating legacy uranium mining sites in Romania and to share with the participants information on the difficulties of long-term supervision of remediated sites.
Romania's practical experience in the regulation, supervision, remediation and post-remediation control of legacy mining sites will be presented to the countries participating in the workshop during two working visits, to the former Bârzava mining area, now remediated, and to the Băița Plai-Poiana mining area, currently undergoing remediation.
The workshop will take place over four days, comprising two days of presentations, exchange of experience and specialist debates, and two days of working visits.
Press release on the training course on nuclear safety culture assessment
From 31 August to 4 September 2015, a training course on nuclear safety culture assessment is taking place at the Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant (NPP).The course is organized under the “Regional Excellence Project on Regulatory Capacity Building in Nuclear and Radiological Safety, Emergency Preparedness and Response in Romania”, financed through the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2009-2014 (http://www.cncan.ro/proiect-norvegia/).
The course is attended by lecturers from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna and from the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) of the United States of America, and by representatives of CNCAN, the Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority (NRPA), Societatea Națională Nuclearelectrica S.A. (SNN) - the licence holder for Cernavodă NPP - and the Institute for Nuclear Research (ICN) Pitești.Nuclear safety culture is the assembly of characteristics, attitudes and behaviours of individuals, organizations and institutions which serve to support and enhance nuclear safety and which ensure that nuclear safety and radiation protection issues have priority and receive the attention warranted by their significance.
The course presents international operating experience, the traits, principles and attributes of a healthy nuclear safety culture, the relevant regulatory requirements, the standards and good practices in the field of independent assessment of nuclear safety culture, notions concerning the elements of organizational culture and the way in which they support nuclear safety, as well as the new process established by CNCAN for assessing the nuclear safety culture of organizations operating nuclear installations.
Press release
Regarding the meeting of the Steering Committee of the "Regional Excellence Project on Regulatory Capacity Building in Nuclear and Radiological Safety, Emergency Preparedness and Response in Romania", carried out under the Norway Grants 2009-2014.
On 11-12 August 2015, the meeting of the Steering Committee of the "Regional Excellence Project on Regulatory Capacity Building in Nuclear and Radiological Safety, Emergency Preparedness and Response in Romania", carried out under the Norway Grants 2009-2014, took place at the CNCAN headquarters.
This project, worth EUR 4,215,098 and carried out within the cooperation between CNCAN, the Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority (NRPA) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), aims to enhance the capabilities of the nuclear regulatory authority of Romania (CNCAN) in eight specific functional areas through the exchange of experience and good practices and through the strengthening of institutional capacity. The main activities included in the project concern: the modernization of the Romanian regulations in line with current international and European standards, the development of methodologies and guides for applying the requirements of the regulations, the training of the staff of CNCAN and of other national competent authorities in applying the regulations and methodologies, the response to nuclear and radiological emergencies, and the review of nuclear safety documentation as part of the licensing process for nuclear installations.
The meeting was attended by the representatives of all the parties involved in the implementation and monitoring of the project: NRPA, IAEA, CNCAN and the Ministry of European Funds.
The purpose of this meeting was the mutual exchange of information on the progress and results achieved to date, the discussion of the problems encountered during the project, and the planning of future actions with a view to successful implementation.
Photos from the meeting
12.08.2015
RO18 Capacity-building and institutional cooperation between Romanian and Norwegian public institutions, local and regional authorities
Press release
On Wednesday, 22 July this year, in the presence of the Deputy Prime Minister for National Security, Minister of Internal Affairs, Gabriel OPREA, and of the Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of the United States of America, Duane BUTCHER, the launch and commissioning took place of the fixed system for the detection of nuclear and radioactive materials installed at the ”Henri Coandă” Bucharest Airport Border Crossing Point.
The event reflects the firm commitment of the Romanian Government to deter, detect and interdict illicit trafficking in nuclear substances and radioactive materials at border checkpoints.
With the help of this system, checks will be carried out automatically, in real time. If a radioactive source is detected, the suspect vehicle will be directed onto a specially arranged ramp. A border police officer will carry out a check with a hand-held detector, which will indicate the exact level of radiation as well as the nature of the nuclear source. At the same time, the National Commission for Nuclear Activities Control (CNCAN) will be notified and will send a mobile laboratory to the airport.
During the ceremony, a practical demonstration of how the system works took place, using a real radioactive source as a test sample.
Images from the event of 22.07.2015
Press release
From 3 to 5 August 2015, a working meeting is taking place at CNCAN for the systematic identification and definition of the competences specific to the field of nuclear safety and security and for the establishment of a national register of competences, to be used by all organizations in the nuclear sector. The meeting is organized under the “Regional Excellence Project on Regulatory Capacity Building in Nuclear and Radiological Safety, Emergency Preparedness and Response in Romania”, financed through the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2009-2014 (http://www.cncan.ro/proiect-norvegia/cncan2/). The meeting is attended by representatives of CNCAN, Societatea Națională Nuclearelectrica S.A. (SNN), the Technologies for Nuclear Energy State Owned Company (RATEN), the National Environmental Protection Agency (ANPM), the Ministry of National Defence (MApN), the General Inspectorate of the Romanian Gendarmerie (IGJR) and the General Directorate of Customs (DGV), as well as by experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority of Finland (STUK) and the company TECNATOM of Spain, who present the experience gained in defining national competence management systems in the nuclear field and provide support to the Romanian specialists in implementing a similar project. The activities of the working meeting support the implementation of action A9.2.2 - “Development of a national register of specific competences in the field of nuclear safety and security” of the action plan for the National Strategy for Nuclear Safety and Security, approved by Government Decision no. 600 of 23.07.2014 and published in the Official Gazette of Romania, Part I, no. 564/30.VII.2014.
National Report for the Convention on Nuclear Safety - 6th edition