Nuclear safety technology and regulation

The goal of the NEA in this area is to assist member countries in ensuring high standards of safety in the use of nuclear energy, by supporting the development of effective and efficient regulation and oversight of nuclear installations, and by helping to maintain and advance the scientific and technological knowledge base.

Objectives

To ensure an effective exchange of safety-relevant information among member countries and develop common understandings and approaches on current safety issues;
To identify generic issues and trends that may affect the safety of nuclear installations and anticipate problems of potential safety significance;
To assist member countries in the resolution of safety issues and strengthen confidence in the solutions and their implementation;
To address safety issues associated with new technologies and reactor designs;
To help maintain an adequate level of capability and competence necessary to ensure the safety of existing and future nuclear facilities;
To help obtain better understanding of national regulatory requirements, encourage harmonisation of regulatory standards where appropriate, and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the regulatory process.

Committees

Committee on the Safety of Nuclear Installations (CSNI)
Full list of CSNI reports since 1973

Committee on Nuclear Regulatory Activities (CNRA)
Full list of CNRA reports since 1992

Joint projects related to nuclear safety

The Agency's joint projects and information exchange programmes enable interested countries, on a cost-sharing basis, to pursue research or the sharing of data with respect to particular areas or problems. The projects are carried out under the auspices, and with the support, of the NEA. Such projects, primarily in the areas of nuclear safety and waste management, are one of the NEA's major strengths

Multinational Design Evaluation Programme

The NEA has been invited to perform the Technical Secretariat functions for the Multinational Design Evaluation Programme (MDEP). MDEP is a multinational initiative taken by national safety authorities to develop innovative approaches to leverage the resources and knowledge of the national regulatory authorities who will be tasked with the review of new reactor power plant designs.