The IAEA conducted a successful mission to Argentina. Indeed, the International Atomic Energy Agency notes the country’s long-standing commitment to nuclear safety. The UN-led organization also recommends areas for improvement.
Essential missions in nuclear safety
The Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) team concluded its 13-day mission to Argentina. An essential mission to assess the country’s compliance with nuclear safety standards. Standards that reflect an international consensus on the subject.
Therefore, IAEA missions seem to be essential to strengthen and evaluate Argentina’s national regulatory infrastructure. A mission conducted at the request of the country.
Javier Zarzuela, head of the IRRS and director of the Spanish regulator, welcomes this commitment:
“By inviting this comprehensive international peer review, Argentina is demonstrating openness, transparency and commitment to continuous improvement.”
Argentina’s nuclear safety is solid
For the IAEA, the mission conducted in Argentina is conclusive. The IRRS team of 19 regulatory experts delivered a diagnosis of a robust system. In fact, the country has been successfully implementing a radiation and nuclear safety education and training program for over 40 years.
To reach this conclusion, the team conducted a series of interviews and discussions with staff at Argentina’s Nuclear Regulatory Authority (ARN).
In addition, she visited the Atucha site, recently purchased from China, to conduct various regulatory inspections.
Practices to share
This nuclear safety mission to Argentina identifies interesting practices to share. The team emphasized the ability of the NRA to make regulatory decisions based on its own assessments.
In addition, the effectiveness with which the NRA communicated on a new public safety regulation should also be an example to share.
Finally, the IRRS team recognized the excellent preparatory work done by Argentina. A work of self-evaluation whose conclusions are today confirmed by the IRRS mission.
IAEA recommendations
While the IAEA mission to Argentina was successful, it made some recommendations and suggestions for improvement. Javier Zarzuela states:
“The review allowed the team to develop a broad understanding of the governmental, legal, and regulatory framework, resulting in recommendations and suggestions that should benefit nuclear and radiation safety in Argentina.”
Therefore, the main challenge for the NRA lies in the revision and development of several regulations. A process that can be quite long.
In addition, the report recommends the establishment of a trust fund for decommissioning activities, radioactive waste and spent fuel management.
Agustín Arbor González, president of the ARN’s board of directors, seems inclined to continue the efforts made by his country:
“There are some areas that need additional work, and we are committed to making improvements.”
The final report of the mission is due to the Argentine government in about three months.
