EC Underlines Need to Reinforce Nuclear Safety Rules

October 15, 2008 // Published as a news service by IHS

Andris Piebalgs, EC energy commissioner, opened the meeting by noting the increased attention given to nuclear safety issues by European institutions and the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Piebalgs also highlighted the importance attached to the need for a higher level of nuclear safety, better radioactive waste management and better communication to the public through the broader stakeholder consensus provided by the European Nuclear Energy Forum.

"While we can see a potential rise in the use of nuclear energy around the globe as well as in the EU, European citizens call for a strong European role in the field of nuclear safety," said Piebalgs.

Piebalgs congratulated the HLG members on their work over the last 12 months - the established work program on waste management and transparency issues underway plus the expected finalization of a work program for nuclear safety issues. However, Piebalgs recognized that timely action is now required.

The HLG, which is required to prepare its findings for the EC for reporting to the European Parliament and the European Council of Ministers next summer, has already demonstrated that there is a consensus on nuclear waste management and transparency of information, and coherence with the principles of the Convention on Nuclear Safety.

In the meantime, the EC is considering tabling new legislation to ensure that the nuclear safety priorities and common approaches identified by the HLG are upheld, and that harmonization of the highest safety standards are implemented throughout the EU. The role and independence of national regulators is of specific importance in this context.

The HLG was created by the EC in order to develop a common understanding and reinforce common approaches in the fields of nuclear safety and waste management^[1]. The HLG, composed of senior officials from national regulatory or nuclear safety authorities, is helping the EC to identify priority safety issues, as well as to advise and assist the EC in progressively developing European Community rules regarding the safety of nuclear installations and the safe management of spent fuel and radioactive waste.

^[1] Commission Decision C(2007)3393 final of July 17, 2007

Source: European Commission.