An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team of experts completed today a nuclear security advisory mission in Finland. The mission was carried out at the request of the Finnish Government and hosted by the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK).
The International Physical Protection Advisory Service (IPPAS) mission, conducted from 6 to 17 June, was the third such mission in Finland. Finland invited the first IPPAS mission in 2009 and a follow-up in 2012.
The scope of the mission included a review of the legislative and regulatory framework for the physical protection of nuclear and other radioactive material and associated facilities and activities. The team reviewed computer and information security arrangements; regulatory practices in licensing, inspections and enforcement; coordination between stakeholders involved in nuclear security; and the interface between nuclear material accounting and control and nuclear safety.
The IPPAS team also reviewed the country’s implementation of the Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM) and its Amendment. The Amendment to the CPPNM was accepted by Finland in 2011.
The IPPAS team observed that Finland has further strengthened its nuclear security capabilities, confirming the country’s well-established nuclear security regime. The team provided recommendations and suggestions to support Finland in enhancing and sustaining nuclear security. Good practices were identified in Finland’s nuclear security regime that can serve as examples to other IAEA Member States to help strengthen their nuclear security activities.
The team comprised nine experts from Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Japan, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as one IAEA staff member, and was led by Mr Bernard Stauffer, Head of Nuclear & Cyber Security Section of the Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (ENSI).
As part of the mission, the IPPAS team met in Helsinki with senior officials from STUK, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, the Ministry of Interior, Finnish Customs, Finnish Border Guard, the National Police Board and Finnish Security and Intelligence Service. The team also observed nuclear security measures in place at the Olkiluoto 3 nuclear power plant on Finland’s southwestern coast and at Turku University Hospital Laboratory (Tykslab), situated roughly 160 km to the west of Helsinki.
Heather Looney, Head of the Nuclear Security of Materials and Facilities Section of the IAEA ‘s Division of Nuclear Security, said this third mission was indicative of the emphasis Finland places on building a strong nuclear security regime. “The team’s findings show that since previous missions Finland has made further strides in nuclear security. The arrangements Finland has in place for nuclear security are aligned with the IAEA nuclear security guidance.”
“Finland is committed to continuous improvement in its nuclear safety and security regime. The findings provided by the experts of the IPPAS team are important and will be used to enhance the nuclear security regime during the process to comprehensively revise Finnish nuclear related legislation”, said Director General of STUK, Mr. Petteri Tiippana.
Background
The mission was the 97th IPPAS mission conducted by the IAEA since the programme began in 1995.
IPPAS missions are intended to assist States in strengthening their national nuclear security regime. The missions provide peer advice on implementing international instruments, along with IAEA guidance on the protection of nuclear and other radioactive material and associated facilities.