The IAEA provides assistance to Member States on drafting radiation safety and nuclear security regulations in line with the IAEA safety standards and nuclear security guidance.
School of Drafting Regulations on Nuclear Safety and Security
The IAEA School of Drafting Regulations helps Member States identify gaps and draft and revise their national nuclear and radiation safety regulations. Through workshops and online modules, participants learn how to develop regulations within national legislative frameworks. The School offers five standard programmes for each major safety area, as well as extended programmes that combine radiation safety and nuclear security of radioactive material, in several official United Nations languages.
- Radiation safety programme
This course offers information on how to identify gaps and to take steps towards aligning legislation with the IAEA’s safety standards for Radiation Protection and Safety of Radiation Sources. It takes into account new regulations or revisions of regulations currently in force as well as the Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources.
- Nuclear safety programme
Focuses on nuclear power programmes, emphasizing the importance of IAEA safety standards for establishing a sustainable regulatory infrastructure. Specific guidance for countries embarking on a nuclear power programme is provided, covering concepts like defense in depth, safety assessments and the licensing process of nuclear installations.
- Transport safety programme
This course is based on Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material No. SSR-6 (Rev.1), which have been adopted by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Model Regulations, the International Maritime Organization, and the International Civil Aviation Organization.
- Waste safety programme
Covers waste safety, decommissioning and remediation, and information on IAEA safety standards dealing with predisposal and disposal of radioactive waste, decommissioning of facilities and international instruments such as the Joint Convention.
- Emergency preparedness and response programme
This course covers all aspects of the regulations of emergency preparedness and response provided in Preparedness and Response for a Nuclear or Radiological Emergency (GSR Part 7). The focus is on drafting provisions for national regulations that should be applied by operating organizations.
- Combined School of Drafting Regulations on Radiation Safety and Security of Radioactive Material
Programme participants are provided information on six relevant IAEA safety standards and nuclear security guidance for in depth analyses and discussions: Legal, Governmental and Regulatory Framework for Safety (GSR Part 1 (Rev.1)), Radiation Protection and Safety of Radiation Sources for Safety (GSR Part 3), Safety Assessment for Facilities and Activities (GSR Part 4), Objective and Essential Elements of a State’s Nuclear Security Regime (NSS-20), Nuclear Security Recommendations on Radioactive Material and Associated Facilities (NSS-14), Security of Radioactive Material in Use and Storage and of Associated Facilities (NSS-11-G).
The courses above follow the School of Drafting Regulations methodology, which was developed with the support of the IAEA Peaceful Uses Initiative. Specific programmes have been organized and funded through IAEA technical assistance mechanisms, such as the IAEA technical cooperation programme and the Regulatory Infrastructure Development Projects.
Drafting Computer Security Regulations

The pilot school on Drafting Computer Security Regulations was held in Germany, December 2023. (Photo: N. Trent/IAEA)
To assist in the development and implementation of computer security regulations and provide comprehensive guidance that can be integrated into a country’s regulatory framework, this programme focuses on seven key computer security regulation elements: computer security programme; identification of functions, systems, and sensitive digital assets; risk management; protecting system functions against compromise; change control and configuration management; supply chain management; and incident response.
A follow-up training for computer security inspectors to verify and validate compliance to computer security regulations is recommended.