Harmonized technical standards in the nuclear field

The need was felt of harmonizing and gradually standardizing technical norms, from the well-known Anglo-Saxon type codes of practice to the equally well-known recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). The latter provide the basis for the Euratom Directives (basic standards), which, following their adoption, were embodied in the national laws of community Member countries. ISO (International Standardization Organization) is active in the nuclear technical regulations field, in particular through its Committee ISO/TC 85 ''Nuclear Energy'' at international level and, in Italy, through the National Italian Unification Agency (UNI) and its Nuclear Unification Commission (UNICEN). At its XI plenary meeting this body, on the proposal of the Secretary-General, set up a Study Group to promote revision of the regulation in force and coordination between legislation and development of UNICEN standards, considered as a set of integrative industrial technical standards. CISDEN, the Italian Nuclear Energy Forum (FIEN) and other interested organizations have been invited to collaborate in this work. (N.E.A.)