Role of Independent Regulatory Body for Safe Operation of NPPs

Zia Hussain Shah

Director, Centre for Nuclear Safety

Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA)

Safety Principle

The government shall establish a legislative and statutory framework for the regulations of nuclear installations. There shall be clear separation of responsibilities of regulatory body and the operating organization.

3

International requirement for Independent Regulatory Body

3

Regulatory Independence

Aspects of Regulatory

Independence

1. Political

Government shall ensure clear and effective separation of responsibilities and duties between the regulatory body and organizations promoting

nuclear energy

Regulatory body should, however, be accountable in respect of fulfilling its mission to protect workers, the public and the environment from undue radiation hazards.

5

Aspects of Regulatory Independence

2. Legislative● Legislative framework should define the functions

and independence of the regulatory body in respect of safety

● Regulatory body shall have the authority to adopt or to develop regulations relating to safety

Regulatory body shall also have the authority to take decisions, including decisions on enforcement actions.

6

Aspects of Regulatory Independence

3. Financial

● The regulatory body shall be provided with adequate authority and power, and it shall be ensured that it has adequate staffing and financial resources to discharge its assigned responsibilities

● the budget of the regulatory body should not be subject to review and approval by government agencies responsible for exploiting or promoting the development of nuclear technologies

7

Aspects of Regulatory Independence

4. Competence

● What is Need of Competence in a RB ?● Regulatory body should have independent technical

expertise in the areas relevant to its responsibilities for safety.

● Management of the regulatory body should therefore have the responsibility and authority to recruit staff with the skills and technical expertise

● RB should have the authority to set up and fund independent advisory bodies to provide expert opinion and advice and to award contracts for research and development projects

8

Aspects of Regulatory Independence

Aspects of Regulatory Independence

Aspects of Regulatory Independence

EVOLUTION OF PNRA AS AN INDEPENDENT REGULATORY BODY

Creation of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC)

Creation of Directorate of Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection (DNSRP)

Promulgation of Pakistan Nuclear Safety & Radiation Protection Regulations

PNRB was created as a quasi- independent Regulatory

Body

Creation of PNRA as an independent regulatory body

19651965

1984

1990

1994

2001

JOUR

NEY

TO

WAR

DS A

N IN

DEPE

NDEN

T RE

GUL

ATO

RY B

ODY

PNRA Ordinance

In 2001 the GoP Established the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) as an independent regulatory authority to regulate the nuclear safety and radiation protection in the country through PNRA Ordinance 2001

April 19, 2023 13

To protect the radiation workers, general public and the environment from the harmful effects of ionising

radiation

Radiation Hazard ~

Mission of PNRA

• Develop Regulations, Guidelines, Standards

and Licensing Procedures • Conduct Safety Review & Assessment of

the Nuclear Installations

April 19, 2023 14

Functions of PNRA

● Perform Regulatory Inspections

to ensure compliance with the

regulatory requirements

● Initiate enforcement action in

case of non compliance of

regulatory requirements

Construction Licence OperatingLicence

Functions of PNRA

COMPOSITION OF THE AUTHORITY

PNRA Ordinance

Regulations

Industrial Codes and Standards

Regulatory Guides

PNRA Regulatory Framework

17

PNRA Regulatory Infrastructure

PNRA HQ

RNSD-I

RNSD-II

RNSD-III

RNSI-I

RNSI-II

RNSI-III18

PNRA Regulations

Administrative Regulations defining processes and other administrative matters

such as− Licensing regulations (PAK/907, 908, 909)− Enforcement regulations (PAK/950)− Fee regulations (PAK/900)− PNRA Transaction of Business (PAK/901)

Technical Regulations specific to facilities

− NPPs siting, design, operation, etc. (PAK/910, 911, 912, 913) Generic regulations (applicable to all facilities)

− Radiation protection, waste management, emergency preparedness, etc. (PAK/904, 914, 915)

All PNRA Regulations are available at PNRA website www.pnra.org

Thank you

20