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Regulatory Administrative InstitutionsMPA 517

Lecture-21

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Recap

• The Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) is a Cabinet-level ministry of the Government of Pakistan concerned with science and technology in Pakistan and in general, Pakistan's science policy, planning, coordination and directing of efforts to initiate and launch scientific and technological programs as well as projects aimed at economic development.

• The ministry is coordinated by the Federal Minister for Science and Technology, and is headquartered in Islamabad.

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National Research Laboratories• The Kahuta Research Laboratories, previously known at

various times as Project-706, and Engineering Research Laboratories, is a Pakistan Government's multi-program national research institute, managed and operated under the scrutiny of Pakistan Armed Forces, located in Kahuta, Punjab Province.

• The laboratories are one of the largest science and technology institutions in Pakistan, and conducts multidisciplinary research and development in fields such as national security, space exploration, and supercomputing

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Pakistan Council for Science and Technology

• Pakistan Council for Science and Technology (PCST) is mandated to advise the Government on the development of Science and Technology at the national level.

• The Council is involved in S&T Policy making, planning, implementation and in carrying out policy studies.

• PCST is also the secretariat of National Commission of Science and Technology (NCST), headed by the Prime Minister (which takes the major decisions for the development of S&T)

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Objectives

• Advising the Government on S&T policy and plans.

• Regular evaluation of scientific research through bibliometric and peer review techniques.

• Strategic planning of R&D through expert committees/think tanks.

• Scientometric and futuristic studies.

• Promotion of R&D and encouragement of consultancy services for scientists and technologists.

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Today’s Lecture

• Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority

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Vision of PNRA

• To become a world class regulatory body with highly trained, competent and dedicated personnel working in unison with a zeal to foster a positive safety culture in their licensees and regulate nuclear facility to protect the public, workers and environment from the harmful effects of radiation in a manner that wins the confidence of all the stake holders viz. the public, the Government and the licensees.

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Mission

• To ensure safe operation of nuclear facilities and to protect radiation workers, general public and the environment from the harmful effects of radiation by formulating and implementing effective regulations and building a relationship of trust with the licensees and maintain transparency in its actions and decisions.

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History of PNRA• The nuclear regulatory infrastructure has been in place since 1965, when the first

research reactor PARR-I was commissioned.

• The nuclear regulatory regime further improved when the first nuclear power plant was commissioned in 1971 at Karachi .

• A nuclear safety and licensing division was established in PAEC HQ which functioned as the de facto regulatory body till it was upgraded to " Directorate of Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection" (DNSRP) after the promulgation of Pakistan Nuclear Safty and Radiation Protection Ordinance 1984

• Pakistan signed the International Convention on Nuclear Safety in 1994, as a result of which, it became obligatory on the part of the Government of Pakistan to establish an independent nuclear regulatory body entrusted with the implementation of the legislative and regulatory framework governing nuclear power and radiation use in the country, and further to separate the regulatory functions from the promotional aspects of the nuclear programme.

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• As a transitory measure Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Board (PNRB), within PAEC was established to oversee the regulatory affairs. Complete separation of promotion and regulatory functions and responsibilities was achieved in 2001 , when the President of Pakistan promulgated the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority Ordinance No.III of 2001.ety and Radiation Protection Ordinance 1984.

• Consequently, Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) was created, dissolving the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Board and Directorate of Nuclear Safety & Radiation Protection.

• It established PNRA as a competent and independent body for the regulation of nuclear safety, radiation protection, transport and waste safety in Pakistan, and also empowered it to determine the extent of civil liability for damage resulting from any nuclear incident.

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Nuclear Safety Directorate

• Licensing of nuclear power plants including modifications, periodic safety reviews and re-licensing

• Licensing and inspections of nuclear grade equipment manufacturing facilities

• Establishing and maintaining regulatory framework for nuclear safety

• Reviews and Assessments

• Self assessment

• Coordinating with Regional Directorates in activities related to nuclear safety

• Maintaining and disseminating information on nuclear safety within PNRA

• Preparation of regulations, working procedures, and guidelines

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Directorate of International Cooperation

• The Nuclear Regulatory Authority's Directorate of International Cooperation (ICD) is responsible for arranging international training and international cooperation.

• The ICD facilitates completion of all formalities regarding training or visits (official), abroad of PNRA officials.

• The ICD takes care of passport and visa issues of the PNRA officials, clearances from the government departments and departure formalities, and liaison with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for departure formalities.

• ICD also liaise with other governmental departments regarding visits of experts coming to PNRA from the International Atomic Energy Agency and through bilateral agreements, from other regulatory bodies.

• It coordinates with Pakistani Embassies abroad for visas, concerned government departments for security matters, Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission and IAEA

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Radiation Safety Directorate• Radiation Safety Directorate (RSD) regulates and supervise matters

related to radiation protection.

• Its mission is to ensure that the harmful effects of radiation on human health and the environment arising from licensed activities are As Low As Reasonably Achievable.

• RSD is headed by a Director and staffed with experienced professionals - most of them having post graduate degrees in physical sciences and medicine.

• Like the other technical Directorates of PNRA, RSD works independently and give recommendations after careful assessment and evaluation of radiation safety situation at all licensed facilities.

• These are submitted for consideration and approval of the Authority, for implementation as regulatory decisions.

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Transport and Waste Safety Directorate

• Transport and Waste Safety Directorate (WSD) at PNRA is responsible for matters related to radioactive waste management, safe transport of radioactive materials, physical protection of nuclear material and nuclear installations, safety and security of radioactive sources and decommissioning of nuclear installations. It establishes and maintains regulatory framework such as regulations, requirements, safety guides, internal procedures, inspection checklists etc in these areas and assures compliance of regulatory requirements by coordinating through joint regulatory inspections with our Regional Directorates.

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• The recent IAEA RaSIA Mission of 2005 has observed that Pakistan has a well-developed legal infrastructure and effectively independent regulatory authority for regulating radiation safety and with an effective operational system of licensing, inspection and enforcement for the control of radiation sources which has continued to develop in line with international standards

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Information Services Directorate

• The Information Services Directorate (ISD) is a part of the newly created Technical Support Organization (TSO) within the corporate wing. It is responsible for maintaining computer networks, telephone exchanges, PNRA Library, issuance of advertisements for public education, issuance of press releases on important matters and occasions and interaction with the media

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School for Nuclear & Radiation Safety• Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) was established under

the PNRA Ordinance III in January 2001 for the regulation of nuclear safety and radiation protection in Pakistan. Prior to its establishment, a regulatory body was functioning under the umbrella of PAEC.

• PNRA considers its employees as the most valuable asset and firmly believes that enhancing their skills and knowledge is an investment for the future of the organization therefore, an effective training program for its employees has always been one of the main planks of its long term policy.

• Most of the officers recruited over the last few years in PNRA were graduates from engineering universities and faculty of sciences which included graduates from Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Science (PIEAS), Islamabad as well. They possess basic knowledge in engineering disciplines and sciences but their technical knowledge on regulatory needs require improvements and continuous updates.

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PROFESSIONAL COURSES OFFERED IN THE SCHOOL

• Following professional courses will be offered at the PNRA School for Nuclear and Radiation Safety to enhance the overall competency of its regulatory staff:

(a) Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) Courses (b) Short Training Courses in specific areas(c) Refresher Training Courses(d) Specialized Training Courses

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SAFETY RESEARCH PROGRAM

• Success of nuclear power worldwide is largely dependent on an effective research program to ensure the safe operation of Nuclear Power Plants. Such research has led to improved designs and safer and more reliable plant operations.

• Similarly, safety research carried out by regulatory organizations has contributed to improved safety and has laid the foundation for activities such as risk-informed regulation, plant life extension, improved plant performance (e.g. power uprates) and new plant designs.

• PNRA School for Nuclear and Radiation Safety is in a process of setting up laboratories to provide viable research capability within PNRA.

• In these laboratories the technical staff will carry out analytical and experimental work related to their field of expertise.

• They will also receive hands on training on various radiation equipment/ components used in nuclear installation and radiation facilities.

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Nuclear Regulatory Framework• Ordinance:

– issued by the Government of Pakistan– presents basic objectives, concepts and principles of nuclear and radiation safety

and protection for the regulation of nuclear energy• Regulations

– issued by PNRA– specify the basic requirements that must be fulfilled to ensure safety but do not

contain recommendations on how to meet the requirements• Regulatory Guides

– issued by PNRA, of a non-mandatory nature– recommend actions, conditions or procedures for meeting safety requirements

• Codes and Standards

– Issued by national and international organizations e.g. IEEE etc.– recommend standard

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Summary

• Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority• Nuclear Regulatory Framework

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Next Lecture

• Ministry of Industries and Production– SMEDA