Basic safety principles for nuclear power plants. 75-INSAG-3 rev. 1. INSAG-12. A report by the International Nuclear Safety Advisory Group

The International Atomic Energy Agency's activities relating to nuclear safety are based upon a number of premises. First and foremost, each Member State bears full responsibility for the safety of its nuclear facilities. States can be advised, but they cannot be relieved of this responsibility. Secondly, much can be gained by exchanging experience; lessons learned can prevent accidents. Finally, the image of nuclear safety is international; a serious accident anywhere affects the public's view of nuclear power everywhere. With the intention of strengthening the IAEA's contribution to ensuring the safety of nuclear power plants, the Agency established the International Nuclear Safety Advisory Group (INSAG), whose duties include serving as a forum for the exchange of information on nuclear safety issues of international significance and formulating, where possible, commonly shared safety principles. The present report is a revision of the original 75-INSAG-3 which was issued in 1988 to provide a statement of the objectives and principles of safe design and operation for electricity generating nuclear power plants. This revision was prepared in order to bring the text up to date with improvements in the safety of operating nuclear power plants as well as to identify principles to be applied for future plants. It presents INSAG's understanding of the principles underlying the best current safety policies and practices of the nuclear power industry. The report is intended for use by governmental authorities and by the nuclear industry and its supporting organizations. Its aim is to promote excellent safety practices at all levels at nuclear power plants through a better understanding of their basis. Although INSAG consulted many experts from various countries in preparing this report, the IAEA did not seek comments on the draft from Member States. The report has not been adopted by the Board of Governors and is not an IAEA safety standard establishing internationally agreed requirements or recommendations