Legislation

Outline of the UE legislation in the field of nuclear industry

Main Council Regulations and Directives related to The Treaty

Nuclear Safety

The Article No. 30 - 39 of the Treaty concerns nuclear safety standards for health care of workers and public against ionizing radiation.

In 1959, the Commission (Euroatom), adopted its first Directive on purpose harmonizing basic nuclear safety standards. Since 1959, the document was often changed and final version was ready in 1996. The Council Directive 96 / 29 / Euroatom [154] includes within its scope :

  • activity that carry the risk of danger from natural of artificial source of radiation
  • activity related to physical presence of the radiation source
  • intervention activity with a risk of radiation

    • The Directive adopts, relevant rules of IAEA ( International Atomic Energy Agency), WHO ( World Health Organization), and recommendations of ICRP (International Commission on Radiological Protection).

    The Council Directive 90 / 641 / Euroatom [155] obliges Member States to ensure dosimetry system for external workers. The system has to be equivalent to those for permanent employees.

    In fact the main Council Directive 96 / 29 / Euroatom [154] is supplemented by a number of other directives and provisions. Not all are presented.

    However the nuclear safety issue it is not only radiological protection. The Treaty does not directly introduce any recommendation is this area. Nevertheless its interpretation, has allowed to establish suitable framework.

    The Commission Regulation (Euroatom) No. 302 / 2005 [156], objective, is to execute the Articles No. 77 - 79 of the Treaty, that concern nuclear safeguards.

    The Council Directive 2009 / 71 / Euroatom [157] forces Member States to establishing national framework for general issues of nuclear safety. Members States should ensure personnel with proper expertise and skills, regulatory authority, and organizational framework. Moreover each country shall prepare a report on progress for European Commission every three years, and self - assessment of the framework every 10 years.

    The Commission does not only use legislative measures. By The Commission Decisions 1999 / 819 / Euroatom [158] and 2004 / 491 / Euroatom [159] , The Community join Convention on Nuclear Safety. The main objectives of the Conventions are: achieving high level nuclear safety, ensuring defences to protect people health and environment, preventing nuclear accidents and limiting consequences of their occurring.

    The Community is not acting individually. By The Council Regulation (Euroatom) No. 300 / 2007 [160], financial aid for countries outside European Union is possible. The European Union can help others countries with plans of improving nuclear safety.

  • Copyrights 2011 © Michal Wierzbowski