Brussels, 24/04/2009 (Agence Europe) - In its adoption by 511 votes in favour, 116 against and 36 abstentions, in Strasbourg on 22 April, of the report by Sweden's Gunnar Hökmark (EPP-ED), the European Parliament has bolstered the draft directive for a common framework on nuclear safety in the EU. Under the proposal of the European Commission, the member states will have to establish a legislative and regulatory framework, based on best practice at European and international level, to govern the safety of nuclear plants. For their siting, design, construction, deployment, functioning and dismantling, the member states must comply with the fundamental principles and guidelines and obligations of the Convention on Nuclear Safety of the IAEA, but they may also set in place stricter measures, if they wish. The EP proposes adding to the directive with a detailed annex on the safety principles of the proposed directive. It takes the view that it is vital for nuclear installations to conform to the highest levels of safety which can be reasonably achieved, taking account of all economic and social factors and protect workers in the nuclear sector and population from the harmful effects of ionising radiation. The EP also stressed the need for the member states to guarantee the full independence of the regulatory bodies responsible for governing nuclear safety. To this end, these bodies must be legally separate and functionally independent of any other public or private bodies, particularly those which operate nuclear plants, promote the societal benefits of the atom, and be free from any influence which may affect safety; their staff must act independently of any commercial interest and take no instructions from a government or public or private bodies in the execution of their regulatory duties. The regulatory authority must carry out nuclear safety investigations and controls; in the event that safety is not guaranteed, it must be able to suspend operations and withdraw the operating certificates from a nuclear power station. (E.H./transl.fl)