SEC NRS and IRSN signed cooperation agreement at the IAEA TSO Conference

16.10.2018 SEC NRS and the Institute for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN, France) signed the Cooperation agreement in the field of nuclear safety and security on October 16, 2018 in Brussels on the sidelines of the IAEA International Conference on Challenges Faced by Technical and Scientific Support Organizations (TSOs) in Enhancing Nuclear Safety and Security. The document was signed by Alexander Khamaza, SEC NRS Director, and Jean-Christophe Niel, IRSN Director General.

The Agreement is intended to boost the bilateral cooperation of the technical and scientific support organisations of the Russian and French nuclear safety authorities, which rests upon strictest requirements for provision and regulation of the nuclear safety and security. The Agreement encourages the parties to share experience and elaborate common positions regarding conduct of scientific and research activities, and develop consolidated safety requirements considering current practices of the two countries. The Agreement gives credit to the high competence level of the two organisations' staff who reviews safety documentation for all stages of nuclear facility lifetime.

The Agreement recognizes the long-standing effective and efficient collaboration between two organisations in the field of nuclear and radiation safety; SEC NRS and IRSN membership in the European Technical Safety Organisations Network (ETSON), and the fact that both are officially recognized as the technical and scientific support organisations of the Russian and French nuclear safety authorities, and provide expert and scientific based consultancy support to regulatory decision-making.

To implement the Agreement, the parties will pursue joint activities of prime significance for the nuclear power sector in their countries, such as management of radioactive waste, in particular, deep geological disposal; enhancement of human and organisational safety aspects at nuclear operators and regulators; emergency preparedness and response, and others.

About SEC NRS

SEC NRS is the technical and scientific support organisation of Rostechnadzor. It was established in 1987 to obtain and apply the latest scientific knowledge in order to provide scientific and technical support to nuclear and radiation safety regulation, including analysis and justification of nuclear and radiation safety criteria and requirements pertaining to civil and defence application of nuclear energy.

About IRSN

IRSN is a public body with industrial and commercial activities (EPIC). Its missions are now defined by French Act no. 2015-992 of 17 August 2015 on the energy transition for green growth (TECV). It is the public expert in France on nuclear and radiation risks. IRSN contributes to public policy on nuclear safety and human and environmental protection against ionising radiation. It is a research and assessment body, working with all players affected by these policies, while retaining its independent position. IRSN operates under the joint authority of the Ministries of the Environment, Research, Energy, Health and Defence.