Finnish Experiences from Hosting IAEA International Physical Protection Advisory Service (IPPAS) Missions

At the invitation of the Government of Finland, an IAEA IPPAS Mission was conducted in Finland in 2009 and a follow-up IPPAS Mission in 2012. The missions covered the assessment of the Finnish system of physical protection related to the use of nuclear energy and radioactive sources, including the legislative and regulatory framework, law enforcement and response as well as practical implementation at selected sites. The IPPAS missions were found a valuable and appropriate way to peer review the implementation and effectiveness of the national nuclear security regime. Such peer review contributes to clearing fog surrounding nuclear security and increases confidence in domestic nuclear security practices. The overall experiences from hosting IPPAS missions are very good and the wider use of the IAEA IPPAS Missions is strongly recommended. (author)