Experience with the Establishment of the Regulatory Body in the Czech Republic

The preparation and step - wise development of regulatory regime has been considered as an inevitable precondition for introduction of nuclear power programme in countries embarking nuclear power programme. The paper discusses the process which has to be established when the nuclear option is decided in the country. Important actions needed are: creation of independent regulatory body, definition of its responsibilities and authorities, establishment of basic legal regulatory framework for nuclear safety, including competence, staffing, organisation, funding of regulatory body, building its credibility etc. The IAEA recommendations (Safety standards) and world-wide experience in this area should be used as a basis. Country specific features as existing legal framework and organisation of energy sector, should be taken into account during preparatory phase of regulatory regime establishment. The paper discusses the major attributes of the regulatory body: independence, competence, effectiveness, transparency and international cooperation on example of the Czech regulatory body - State office for nuclear safety (SONS/SUJB) and long-term experience collected in the Czech Republic.(author)