An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) mission said Bosnia and Herzegovina is working to enhance its regulatory system for nuclear and radiation safety, whilst noting specific areas for additional efforts including the allocation of sufficient human and financial resources for the country’s regulator.
The Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) team today concluded a ten-day mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina from 28 November to 7 December. The mission, conducted at the request of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and hosted by the State Regulatory Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety (SRARNS), was carried out to review the national regulatory framework for nuclear, radiation, radioactive waste and transport safety.
Using IAEA safety standards and international good practices, IRRS missions are designed to strengthen the effectiveness of the national regulatory infrastructure for nuclear and radiation safety, while recognizing the responsibility of each country.
During the mission, the team, comprising 11 senior regulatory experts from 11 Member States, as well as two IAEA staff members, met with key personnel at SRARNS in the capital Sarajevo. Team members observed a regulatory inspection at the Radiology Department of the University Clinical Center. They also visited the radioactive waste storage facility as well as the dosimetry laboratory of the Institute for Public Health. A visit was also held at the Operational and Communication Centre of Bosnia and Herzegovina, to discuss emergency preparedness and response in the country.
Bosnia and Herzegovina does not operate any nuclear power plants. It uses radiation sources for industrial and medical applications.
“This IRRS mission was successful thanks to the openness and transparency of the SRARNS,” said Igor Sirc, team leader and Director of the Slovenian Nuclear Safety Administration. “However, we found that SRARNS faces significant challenges related to human resources and there is an urgent need to address this issue.”
The IRRS team identified good performances including:
- The detailed regulatory requirements defining the competencies of the qualified experts.
- The possibility for pregnant occupationally exposed workers to choose different options for their work conditions in a non-discriminative manner.
The IRRS team made several recommendations and suggestions for the Council of Ministers and SRARNS in order to enhance the regulatory system in line with IAEA safety standards.
They said the Council of Ministers should:
- Provide for adequate human and financial resources to SRARNS to fulfil its regulatory responsibilities and functions for safety.
- Revise and implement the policy for safety and the strategy for the radioactive waste management.
The team also recommended that SRARNS should:
- Apply a graded approach in its regulatory functions and further develop its management system.
- Revise some of the regulations on radiation protection, radioactive waste management, transport activities and emergency preparedness and response and develop additional guidance.
Vasiliki Kamenopoulou, IAEA team coordinator, said: “The IRRS Team believes that the recommendations and suggestions made by the mission, if acted upon, will contribute to meeting these challenges and enhance nuclear and radiation safety in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
The final mission report will be provided to the government in about three months.
“The findings from this IRRS mission will help us to meet the challenges and enhance nuclear and radiation safety in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” said Marinko Zeljko, SRARNS Director.
Background
General information about IRRS missions can be found on the IAEA website. IRRS are used to advise Member States on ways to strengthen and enhance the effectiveness of national regulatory frameworks for nuclear, radiation, radioactive waste and transport safety while recognizing the ultimate responsibility of each State to ensure safety in these areas.
The IAEA Safety Standards provide a robust framework of fundamental principles, requirements, and guidance to ensure safety. They reflect an international consensus and serve as a global reference for protecting people and the environment from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation.