Foreword

In this foreword the Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Authority of the Slovak Republic (NRA SR) explains the role of these authority to assure safe operation of NPPs in Slovakia. The Authority performs the function of the state supervision in the field of nuclear safety of nuclear facilities including treatment of radioactive wastes, spent nuclear fuel and other phases of the fuel cycle, state supervision of nuclear materials including their control and accounting and of quality of selected nuclear equipment and instruments. The Authority is also responsible for fulfillment of obligations of the Slovak Republic arising from international agreements related to nuclear safety of nuclear facilities and use of nuclear materials. The NRA SR has positively contributed to important events (Resolution of the Authority, focused on achievement of acceptable safety level for Bohunice V-1 NPP; Assessment of safety documentation for Bohunice V-2 NPP prepared by the operator after 10 years of operation; Transport of 4 damaged fuel elements from the decommissioned Bohunice A-1 NPP; Establishment of the independent VYZ plant, focused on decommissioning of NPPs and conditioning of radioactive waste; Supervision over safe operation of 4 units in Jaslovske Bohunice with a priority aim to secure the required standard of nuclear safety). .Report systematically assesses standard of nuclear safety, and the most important activities related to safety of individual nuclear facilities in 1996. There are also characterized major activities of NRA SR both in performing state supervision over safety of nuclear installations, and other activities related to the control of nuclear materials and prevention of their misuse, radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel handling, activities, in examining special competence capability of staff, in emergency planning, legislative activity, quality assurance and public relations, developing international relations and commitments of SR in the area of competence of NRA SR