Making a difference in the 21st century: The continuing evolution of the IAEA safety standards

Full text: History - Historically, wide international acceptance of BSS (basis: ICRP and UNSCEAR) as leading thematic safety standards and Transport Regulations as activity specific standards. Safety standards for nuclear installations were originally based on different national practices / designs. This was reflected in early IAEA nuclear safety standards that became a common denominator. Greater international awareness and accidents (Chernobyl) triggered the need for common high-level standards on a universal basis, to support a global safety regime. This was needed as a factor in restoring public and political trust in nuclear technology. Present - Through ongoing and planned periodic reviews and - if needed - revisions safety standards are kept current. Where gaps are identified new safety standards are developed. Presently, all IAEA safety standards reflect an international consensus on what constitutes a high level of safety for protecting people and the environment. Standards cover all relevant areas: thematic and as well as facility/activity related; they are hierarchically arranged in categories: Safety Fundamentals, Safety Requirements and Safety Guides. Through CSS and Committees in areas of nuclear installation, radiation, transport and waste safety consensus is built. Member States (MS) can participate in all Committees and there is also involvement of international organizations; MS comments on all drafts; Board approves Safety Fundamentals and Requirements. This process develops buy in and sharing of knowledge. The main users are regulators and organizations involved in nuclear and radiation related facilities and users of radioactive materials. Vision - IAEA safety standards are the global reference point for safety. Our common challenge: ensure use by regulators in all States. They should check that national regulations are in agreement with IAEA safety standards and safety level expressed in them. Use in peer reviews as practiced under the Safety Convention and Joint Convention meetings of the Contracting parties. Result: proper basis for the IAEA safety standards as the global reference point. Industry and others users of nuclear technologies have a vested interest to ensure that there exists only one set of internationally agreed standards (underpin globalization of standards). At the same time they should ensure smooth implementation of standards in the daily practice, i.e. in using nuclear energy, nuclear technologies and radioactive sources. Feedback from all users is essential for the success of the IAEA safety standards. (author)