IAEAInternational Atomic Energy Agency

Revision of the IAEA Safety Standards for Decommissioning - Progress and Issues

Melanie Wong, Vladan Ljubenov, and John RowatWaste and Environmental Safety Section

Division of Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety

12-14 September 2010NKS Decommissioning Seminar

Studvik, Sweden

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Agenda

• Background • Current decommissioning safety standards • Other publications that complement these safety

standards• Proposed changes to decommissioning safety

standards• Challenges related to revising these safety

standards and reports• Application of the safety standards• Summary

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Background: Mandate

Article IIIPara A.6. The Agency is authorized to establish or adopt …standards of safety for protection of health and minimization of danger to life and property, and to provide for the application of these standards …”

Article VIIIThe agency shall take positive steps to encourage the exchange among its members of information relating to the nature and peaceful uses of atomic energy and shall serve as an intermediary among its members for this purpose.

*****The IAEA is bound by statute to apply the safety standards to work carried out with IAEA funds.

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Background: History of the Programme

• 1957: IAEA created.

• 1973: IAEA/NEA consultancy on decommissioning

• Late 1980s: Radioactive Waste Safety Standards (RADWASS) Programme established.

• 1996 (January): Department of Nuclear Safety and Security created.

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Background: IAEA International Safety Documents

Safety Standards: Fundamentals, Requirements,

and Guides

Reviews, Assessments, and Intercomparisons

Technical support documents

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• Basic objectives, concepts and principles involved in ensuring protection and safety

• Fundamental safety objective and the10 principles to be applied to achieve the fundamental objective

Safety Standards: Fundamental Safety Principles

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• Basic objectives and concepts of Safety Fundamentals as they apply to a specific activity or facility

Safety Standards: Safety Requirements

2006

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Safety Standards: Current Decommissioning Safety Guides

1999

1999

2001

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Other IAEA Safety Standards

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2006

2008

2004

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Safety Report Series

• Support IAEA Safety Standards

• Decommissioning Safety Reports include:1. Decommissioning Strategies for Facilities Using Radioactive Material,

IAEA Safety Reports Series No. 50 (2007)

2. Standard Format and Content for Safety Related Decommissioning Documents, IAEA Safety Reports Series No. 45 (2005)

3. Safety Considerations in the Transition from Operation to Decommissioning of Nuclear Facilities, IAEA Safety Reports Series No. 36 (2004)

4. Safe Enclosure of Nuclear Facilities During Deferred Dismantling, IAEA Safety Reports Series No. 26 (2002)

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Division of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology Publications

• Additional Guidance available at: http://www.iaea.org/OurWork/ST/NE/NEFW/wts_decommissioning_home.html

• Decommissioning publications are organised according to major themes such as:

1. Technology2. Management3. Implementation4. Development5. Special Topics6. Draft Documents

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Revisions of the Safety Standards

• IAEA Review Cycle

1. Requirements: 10 year cycle (2006)

2. Safety Guides: 5 year cycle (1999 and 2001)

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Revisions of the Safety Standards (cont’d)

• Review and revise the existing safety guides1. Reflect the new Safety Fundamentals (SF-1)

2. Reflect the new Safety Requirements (WS-R-5)

3. Reflect the outcomes of Athens conference and feedback from standards application

4. Incorporate recent experience and good practice

5. Provide up-to-date detailed practical guidance to regulators, operators and other technical support organisations

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Revision of the Safety Standards (cont’d)

Under revision

1999 19992001

DS402 DS403DS404

Proposed New Safety Guide

Decommissioning of Naturally Occuring Radioactive Material Related FacilitiesCombine

2006

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• Comment on published standards through the IAEA website.

• Download drafts and comment:

1. Web page at: www-ns.iaea.org/standards/standards/2. Click on “Draft Standards listed by number”3. Click on “Standards Feedback ”

Revisions of the Safety Standards (cont’d)

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Further Information on Decommissioning Safety Documents

http://goto.iaea.org/decommissioning

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Application of the Safety Standards

1. Iraq Decommissioning Programme

TAMMUZ-2 Research Test Reactor

IRT-5000 Reactor

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Application of the Safety Standards (cont’d)

2. Research Reactor Decommissioning Demonstration Project (R2D2P)Demonstrate all phases of a typical decommissioning project

HIFAR Reactor, ANSTO AustraliaPRR-1, PNRI

Philippines

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Application of the Safety Standards (cont’d)

3. FaSa (2008 -2011)

Application, implementation, updating and evolution of safety assessments in the development and review of decommissioning plans

Fuel fabrication facility

Nuclear power plant

Research reactor

Mining and milling facility

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• IAEA’s safety standards underpins a global approach to radiation safety

• Guidance is available to assist users to achieve high level of safety in the area of decommissioning

• Several Safety Standards are undergoing revisions

• Your participation is appreciated during the development of these Safety Standards

• IAEA continues to apply these Safety Standards by providing targeted assistance to the Member States.

Conclusion

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Thank you for your time and attention.

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