The 17th meeting of the International Expert Group on Nuclear Liability (INLEX) was held from 9 to 11 May 2017 at the IAEA Headquarters. INLEX serves as a forum of expertise to explore and advise on issues related to nuclear liability. It also works to enhance global adherence by nuclear and non-nuclear States to an effective nuclear liability regime, on the basis of the nuclear liability Conventions adopted under the auspices of the IAEA and OECD/NEA. Additionally, INLEX assists in the development and strengthening of the national nuclear liability legal frameworks in IAEA Member States. In that context, INLEX Members participate in regional workshops on civil liability for nuclear damage organised to provide an introduction to the international nuclear liability regime and advise on the development of national nuclear liability legislation. The next workshop will be held from 7 to 9 June 2017 in Montevideo, Uruguay for Latin American Countries.
During the course of its past meetings, INLEX has explored and advised on issues regarding the application of the existing international nuclear liability instruments, in particular those adopted under Agency auspices. Recent highlights of INLEX activity include the adoption of INLEX Recommendations on how to facilitate the achievement of a global nuclear liability regime, the finalization of a revised edition of The 1997 Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage and the 1997 Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage – Explanatory Texts, which was published earlier this month, and the adoption of a recommendation on insurance regarding radioactive sources. The Group has also discussed liability issues relating to long term storage and disposal facilities and to the transport of nuclear material, as well as the scope of application of the Agency’s nuclear liability conventions as regards nuclear fusion installations and small and medium sized reactors.
