Steps towards an independent and efficient regulatory body: Romanian experience

This paper presents the main steps in issuing and improving the Romanian legislation related to nuclear field and particularly to radiation protection. The nuclear act was amended several times to reflect the developments at international level and the accession of Romania to the European Union. Secondary legislation was reviewed and new regulations and guides were issued to comply with IAEA Basic Safety Standards, IAEA Code of Conduct for the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources and the relevant European Directives. A set of regulations for specific type of practices was developed as part of the radiation protection legal framework. Also, legal provisions were aimed to cover new aspects such us: the definition of terrorism acts for sizing the threat over nuclear installations and facilities in order to enhance their physical protection as well as the civil liability in case of a nuclear terrorist act, the transition to a market economy-including free movement of goods. (author)