Brussels, 08/07/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 8 July, Council adopted the new revised directive on nuclear safety, which provides for increased powers and autonomy for national safety authorities, lays down an ambitious safety target for the EU and establishes a European peer review system.
The new text, which was drafted in the wake of the Fukushima disaster in March 2010 and at the request of the European Council, amends |Directive 2009/71 Euratom, bringing in nuclear safety objectives at EU level aiming to limit the consequences of any nuclear incident and to cover the life cycle of nuclear installations (choosing the site, design, construction, commissioning, running and decommissioning), including preparing emergency responses on site.
One of the main objectives of the new text is the requirement for a peer review of the safety of nuclear installations, every six years starting from 2017. This follows on from the stress tests on power stations located in Europe, which were carried out in 2011-2012 by the national nuclear safety authorities in cooperation with the Commission and the energy regulators group (ERGEG) and on the basis of the expertise of the Western European Nuclear Regulators Association (WENRA).
The revised directive strengthens the powers and independence of national nuclear safety authorities which supervise the activities of nuclear operators. As the consequences of any nuclear accident go beyond national boundaries, the new text encourages cooperation, coordination and an exchange of information between the safety authorities of the member states located in the neighbourhood of the plant where an accident takes place.
Furthermore, it reinforces transparency on nuclear safety questions. The provisions on information are clarified as regards the type of information that must be supplied, and the public may get involved in the relevant phases of the decision-making process on nuclear installations, in line with the national framework and taking account of the different national systems.
At least every ten years, the member states must hold a regular self-assessment of their national frameworks and their competent safety authorities and they must request an international peer review of the relevant elements of their national frameworks and competent authorities.
The new directive also enhances the consistency of national on-site emergency preparedness and response arrangements. Lastly, it stresses the importance of the human factor by promoting an effective nuclear safety culture through management systems, education and training and arrangements set in place by the operators.
The member states must submit a report on implementation of the revised directive to the Commission by no later than 22 July 2014, and then on 22 July 2020.
“This directive is a major contribution to reinforcing the safety of nuclear installations and promoting a strong safety culture in Europe. In a region where more than a quarter of all the electricity produced and more than half of the low-carbon electricity produced comes from nuclear energy, it is crucial to ensure safe operation of nuclear power plants”, Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger commented on Tuesday.
The new text will enter into force 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the EU and the capitals will have three years to transpose into national law. (EH)