“Integrated Regulatory Review Service” (IRRS) Mission of the International Atomic Energy Agency

It is on going in ISPRA from November 21th until December 2nd the "Integrated Regulatory Review Service" (IRRS) mission of the International Atomic energy Agency (IAEA), aimed at a review of the national regulatory system for nuclear safety and radiation protection of installations and activities involving the use of ionizing radiation sources. The mission has been organized by the Nuclear, Technological and Industrial Risk Department in Italy which carries out the functions of competent regulatory Authority until the completion of the establishment process of the Inspectorate for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection (ISIN).

The review process (IRRS) offers the opportunity for a peer review of the national regulatory system against the IAEA Safety Standards. The mission allows to fulfill obligations of the EU Directive 2009/71/EURATOM establishing a Community framework for the nuclear safety of nuclear installations.

The IRRS mission is conducted by a group of 19 international experts from different countries (Sweden, France, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Hungary, Germany, Cuba, Finland) and the IAEA itself. Experts will examine the various aspects of the regulatory framework related to the responsibility and functions of the government, the fulfillment of the obligations established by international treaties ratified by Italy in the nuclear field, to the organizational aspects and the management system of the competent regulatory authority, to the authorization processes, to inspection and enforcement activities, to the independent review and assessments activities, to the emergency management, to the transport activities of radioactive materials, to the radiological monitoring and to the interface with "security” aspects. At the end of the mission a report with the recommendations and suggestions that will result from the review. The mission is an important opportunity for the continuous improvement of the national regulatory system in the nuclear field.

During the preparation of the IRRS mission, ISPRA has carried out a self-assessment, in accordance with the methodology prepared by the IAEA. The review has allowed the identification of improvements areas and the preparation of an action plan to address these areas.

The process envisages a follow-up mission in the following years to review the progress in the implementation of the action plan.