Swiss and Iranian regulatory authorities agree on cooperation in civil nuclear safety

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During the 60th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA, the Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (ENSI) and the Iran Nuclear Regulatory Authority (INRA) signed an agreement. It envisages cooperation in the area of civil nuclear safety.

The intention of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is to strengthen nuclear safety and promote exchanges and cooperation between the two regulatory authorities. “This agreement will make it possible to exchange on the international safety regulations that apply within Europe to INRA and in so doing contribute to developing nuclear safety in the region” says ENSI Director General Hans Wanner.

The agreement relies on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and is supported by both the Swiss and Iranian Governments. The details of the cooperation must now be worked out.

At the end of February 2016, ENSI Director General Hans Wanner travelled to Tehran as part of the scientific delegation of Swiss President Johann Schneider-Ammann. At a meeting with Naser Rastkah, Director General of the Iran Nuclear Regulatory Authority INRA, both parties discussed possibilities for cooperation. At the time INRA showed great interest in discussing matters of safety culture, the establishment of the necessary regulatory framework and management system.