Prepared and presented

by

Author : Dr. Gheorghe VIERU,INR PITESTI, ROMANIA

HEAD, RELIABILITY AND TESTING LABORATORY

Co-author: Dr. Lucian BIRO, Expert CNCAN, ROMANIA

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IAEA VIENNA GNSSN WORKSHOP ON NATIONAL REGULATORY PORTALS

OUTLINES

Background

Introduction

Romanian Nuclear Security and Safety Framework

International Regulatory Co-operation and the Role of Different International Organizations

The sharing of Knowledge and information on Safety and Security Framework

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Background

1. According to the IAEA, the Global Nuclear Safety and Security Network–GNSSN is the global framework for achieving and maintaining worldwide a high level of safety and security at nuclear facilities and activities

2. Romania ratified the Convention on Nuclear Safety and CNCAN – National Commission for Nuclear Activities Control (CNCAN) has been designated by the Romanian Government to take primary responsibility for the implementation of Romania’s obligation under the Convention

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1. Introduction

The IAEA defines nuclear security as “the means and ways of preventing, detecting andresponding to sabotage, theft and unauthorized access to or illegal transfer of nuclearmaterial and other radioactive substances, as well as their associated facilities”.The IAEA works closely with Member States (MS) to establish and enhance the measuresneeded to control and protect nuclear and radioactive materials, as well as to prevent illicitnuclear materials trafficking.Romanian national efforts on Security and Safety Framework are augmented byRegulatory Authority (National Commission for Nuclear Activities Control-CNCAN) andother institution. International Cooperation played an important role in capacity building ofRomanian Regulatory Body and providing necessary assistance in performing regulatoryactivities or support in development of Romanian Nuclear Regulatory Security Framework.

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2. Romanian Nuclear Security and Safety Framework

In Romania, the Networking is consequently recognized as a very efficient tool forenhancing the sharing of knowledge and experience which can play an essentialrole for prevention of possible accidents and malicious acts, and, much more, forthe implementation of appropriate safety and security measures, whenappropriate, to be applied. A diagram of the Components of the State NuclearSecurity framework in shown in Figure 1 and in Figure 2 is shown the main RAMtransportation routes I Romania:

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The IAEA’s at GNSSN Workshop The IAEA’s at GNSSN Workshop, BONN, GERMANY, JULY 4 to 6, 2011

Figure no. 1- A diagram of the Components of the State Nuclear Security Framework in Romania

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Figure 2 – The main RAM transportation routes in Romania

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1. Among those components belonging to the entire Nuclear Fuel Cycle Facilities (as shown in Figure 1) there are: CANDU NPP Cernavoda, uranium mines and uranium processing plant, radioactive sources, National Repository for Radwaste-low level, TRIGA research reactor.

2. The risk assessment associated with the nuclear fuel cycle facilities, analysis of state infrastructure, vulnerability assessment of such nuclear facilities including transportation of RAM (Radioactive Material) considering different modes of RAM transport in terms of potential radiological consequences, quantity and type of RAM should be taken into consideration as important database to provide regulatory bodies a prompt access to the latest developments in their area of interest.

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3. International Regulatory Co-operation and the Role of Different International Organizations

The Regulators should consider continue working together in order toharmonize requirements and approaches between different countries.Also, global and regional network should be established and maintained, wherepossible, to include regulators, operating organizations, vendors and otherstakeholders.Networking has to be considered and understood as an important tool forfacilitating the transition from dependence to self-sufficiency andsustainability.

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Romania as a Member State (MS) and once expanding nuclear national programme becameconcerned that is essential to ensure an independent, effective and efficient nuclearregulatory system vs. new challenges within the nuclear security framework field.In Romania, the National Commission for Nuclear Activities Control (CNCAN) is the nationalcompetent authority (CA) having attribution of regulation, authorization and control as well asfull responsibilities for a safe operation and security of nuclear facilities- radiological andnuclear installations.With limited human resources, CNCAN is in the position to have its own Technical SupportOrganization. In support of capacity building and achievement of regulatory effectiveness,commensurate with national nuclear power programme, in the period of 2002 to 2009,CNCAN made an extensive use of external assistance provided either through IAEA TCProgramme, external consultancy companies financed by European Commission–EC underthe PHARE Project or international cooperation established between CNCAN and otherregulatory authorities

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Regulatory Body

The National Commission for Nuclear Activities Control-CNCAN isdesignated as a body of regulation, licensing and control of all nuclearactivities and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. In 1996 isissued the Law no. 111 regarding the assurance of the Safety of nuclearactivities. This Law was updated and republished in 2006.

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Figure 3: Structure of the Regulatory and Policy Branch of CNCAN (as presented in 2011 on the officialweb site – www.cncan.ro)

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The function of the Regulators include, among others,

Assessing applications for licensing against accepted standards for radiationprotection and nuclear safety;

Monitoring compliance including undertaking inspections of licensed nuclear activitiesto conform compliances with legislative requirements;

Investigating incidents;Taking any enforcement actions required that are necessary to ensure regulatory

compliance in radiation protection and nuclear safety, safety of people and protection ofthe environment;

Development of national codes and standards to promote national uniformity;Management of statutory advisory council and committees and;Formulating regulatory guidance documents for consideration and publishing.

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CNCAN Safety Policies:

Places the protection of human health and safety and the environment as its highestpriority;Promote a positive safety culture and environmental awareness;Strives for continuous improvement in safe work practices using a blame-free learningapproach;Protects the environment

Human Resources – CNCAN currently has 103 staff (except the President)In addition, CNCAN has several other policies to support a positive safety culture includingrisk management and quality policies

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Role of IAEA TC Programme in support of CNCAN capacity building

The Cooperation between Romania and IAEA were stipulated in Country ProgrammeNuclear Framework, priorities being identified as follows:

The regulatory infrastructure;The radiological protection and health;The management of RADWASTE and Spent Nuclear Fuel;The nuclear Safety and Security and Fuel Performance of CANDU NPP Cernavoda;The Research development activity as support of the National Nuclear Programme.

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The IAEA support in regulatory activities consists of:

Involvement of CNCAN staff in regional training courses and workshops;Organizing national training courses and workshops in Romania;IAEA expert mission in support of Romanian Regulatory activities for the assessmentof deterministic and probabilistic analysis;Supporting scientific visits and fellowship for CNCAN staff organized in IAEA MS;Organizing expert mission for assistance in regulatory framework development;

Organizing IRRT, IRRS missions for assessment of Romanian RegulatoryEffectiveness

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Other technical and scientific support from IAEA Vienna

IAEA Vienna awards to the Institute for Nuclear Research (INR) Pitesti, Romania as TSO, severalscientific research contracts and research agreements, on nuclear security framework (regime), suchas:

“Approach of Safety-Risk assessment associated with the transport of low activity radioactive waste to thedisposal center, in Romania”;

“Risk and Safety Evaluation in The transportation and disposal of Naturally Occurring Materials-uranium oreand uranium waste in Romania”/2007, contract no. 14120 “

“Romanian Contribution to the Development of Methodology for Risk Assessment and State Management ofNuclear Security Regime (Risk and Radiological Consequence)/2010, contract no. 15854 “

“Participation at the IAEA International Training Course on the Security in Transport of Radioactive Material forTraining Team Leaders/2010”

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The support of the European Commission  for  further development of CNCAN capacity building.

Over the years, European Commission gave a special attention to the strengthening of independence,resources and capabilities of the Romanian Nuclear Safety Authority.EC support was provided in the framework of PHARE Programme for Romanian Nuclear RegulatoryAuthority, CNCAN was the beneficiary of several projects, such as:

Support in transfer of Western European Methodology to the Nuclear Safety Authority of Romania;Support in Nuclear Safety Regulatory Regime Consolidation;Support to the Romanian Nuclear Regulatory Authority-CNCAN in the licensing review activities of

Fire Protection, Overpressure Protection of Reactor Primary Circuit and Main Steam Line DesignSafety Issues in Cernavoda 1 NPP;

Support in improvement of Romanian Regulatory Emergency Response Center;Support in setting up a licensing process in Romania based on Periodic Safety Review of NPP’s

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Bilateral Agreements in Supporting Development of Regulatory Systems in countries developing nuclear power programme

An important role in providing initial support in setting up the Regulatory Framework andRegulatory Capacity Building has to be given to bilateral agreements between RegulatoryAuthorities (RA) from countries having a small or developed programme on NuclearPower Programme and Regulatory Authorities from country of NPP’s origin sinceRomanian Government decided to build the NPP based on Canadian Technology.The bilateral agreement between Romanian and Canadian Regulatory Authorities was oneof the main pillars in setting up the initial Regulatory System in Romania.

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The sharing of Knowledge and information on Safety and Security Framework

CNCAN took systematic actions, since very beginning, in order to achieve its objectivesand fulfillment the IAEA’s and EC’s recommendations.At the international level, CNCAN received a positive image with regard to development ofRegulation. Licensing process and regulatory control of nuclear installations in Romania.Related to the National Strategy for Nuclear Safety in Romania, CNCAN took furtheractions in order to develop and maintain the sharing of knowledge in Romania, to setup aNational/Regional Training Center in Romania and continuous international supportcooperation

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ConclusionsInternational Cooperation between Romanian Regulatory Authority and the IAEA/EC/RB’s(Regulatory Bodies-RB) had a major contribution in development of a National NuclearRegulatory Portal, the CNCAN capacity building and in increase of RegulatoryEffectiveness and efficiencies.Therefore, Romanian Regulatory Authority and other institutions dealing with research onnuclear field, are putting a strong accent on strengthening and promoting internationalcooperation through IAEA Technical Cooperation Programme, MoU’s between RegulatoryBodies (RB), as one of the main key elements in supporting National Nuclear InformationResources and Network, National Nuclear Regulatory Portals (NNRP) in GNSSN, capacitybuilding of Regulatory Authorities in countries having small or embarking on nuclear powerprogramme.Building network between training centers and research facilities and establishments ofregional training centers represent one of the future viable options in preservingknowledge in nuclear field as IAEA Vienna recommends.

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