Enhancing Regulatory Requirements for Security of Radioactive Material in Albania

Albania has established much of the legal and regulatory framework necessary to form the basis of a comprehensive security regime for radioactive sources and associated materials and facilities. The law establishes and empowers a regulatory authority Radiation Protection Commission to enact security requirements on licensees. The regulation on Physical protection of radioactive material require for licensing, inspection and enforcement for security of radioactive sources The strategic objective of the Radiation Protection Commission, as the national independent authority, nominated by Council of Ministers , is the protection of health of the workers, public and environment ensuring safety and security, taking maximum benefits of using radiations. Albania is working toward implementations of the new IAEA requirements of GSR part 3 as well as security series of IAEA. The basic law for radiation protection in the Republic of Albania is the law "On Protection from Ionizing Radiation ", no. 8025, date 09.11.1995, and also, Law. 9973, date 28.07.2008 "On some amendments and additions to Law no. 8025, Law is a law-based framework such as to pave the way for implementation of all elements of safety, security and radiation protection. The regulations complete the whole elements that are not reflected in current laws. The law No. 9973 takes into account for increasing the effective independence of Regulatory Authority, RPC members are nominated by Council of Ministers. The new amendments draw special attention on security measures, and regulations have to be approved by Council of Ministers. Key structure in the field of radiation protection, safety and security are Radiation Protection Commission (RPC) and Radiation Protection Office (RPO), respectively as regulatory organ and executive for the protection, safety and security of the ionizing radiation sources. Albania does not produce radioactive sources. There is use of ionizing radiations sources for medical, industrial, research and other purposes. Radiation protection, safety and security have not been a high priority in Albania. Adopted legislation in this area has been aimed to approximate IAEA and EU safety and security standards.