The IAEA conducted for the first time at a national level, in Bulgaria, its comprehensive safety standards overview training course from 19 to 23 June. The course covered topical areas addressed by safety standards, their history, scope and structure, as well as their application in practice. Over 150 participants from regulatory bodies, regulatory bodies, technical support organizations, and operating organizations have attended the training since it began in Vienna last year.
The Director of the Office of Coordination of the Department for Nuclear Safety, Shahid Mallick, said: “The request to conduct the course for interested parties in the country is an indication that the course is much needed. The knowledge on the IAEA safety standards is of high importance for ensuring safety of nuclear facilities and activities, including for those countries with long lasting experience in operation and regulating nuclear facilities and activities.”
The IAEA safety standards are a series of publications that contain principles, requirements and recommendations to achieve a high level of nuclear and radiation safety worldwide. Since the first IAEA safety standard was published in 1958, they have served as the global reference for national regulatory systems, and many countries adopt the Agency’s standards for use in their national regulations. They also form the basis for several international legal instruments, such as the Nuclear Safety Conventions.
Hosted by the Bulgarian Nuclear Regulatory Agency (BNRA), over 60 participants from national organizations, such as Kozloduy nuclear power plant, National Centre of Radiobiology and Radiation Protection, Institute for Nuclear Research and Nuclear Energy, State Enterprise Radioactive Waste, and technical support organizations attended this course.
Participants were provided with a comprehensive introduction of all general and specific safety requirements and corresponding safety guides. Practical sessions focused on using various resources and tools including the Nuclear Safety and Security Online User Interface (NSS-OUI) to access and navigate the safety standards series.