Iranian delegation briefed on nuclear regulatory practice in Switzerland
A delegation from the Iran Nuclear Regulatory Authority (INRA) gained insights into the supervisory activities of the Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (ENSI) during a visit from 14 to 18 August 2017. Key issues included the management system, implementation of the backfitting obligation and safety culture.
Particular interest was aroused by ENSI’s high degree of specialist expertise in supervisory activities and the various integrated supervision processes. “We know that ENSI is an efficient and experienced supervisory authority. We look forward to being closely involved in exchanging know-how and experience relating to nuclear safety. With ENSI’s support, we aim to strengthen INRA’s technical capabilities and implement supervisory activities in line with international practice,” said Hojatollah Salehi, Chief of the Iran Nuclear Regulatory Authority (INRA). Other topics addressed independence of regulatory authorities, the Swiss regulatory framework, inspection and international activities, communication work and the implementation of the Vienna Declaration on Nuclear Safety.
ENSI was also able to gain an impression of the status of civil nuclear safety in Iran during the Iranian delegation’s visit. ENSI’s Director General Hans Wanner comments: “It is pleasing to see that the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) has given INRA the opportunity to play a full part again in the international exchange of regulatory information and experience in the field of nuclear safety. This will allow INRA to adapt its own supervisory activities in line with international safety requirements and international best practice.”
The Iranian delegation’s visit took place under the auspices of the bilateral Memorandum of Understanding between INRA and ENSI. Bilateral cooperation with Iran is based on a Federal decree, and is financed and supported by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). INRA and ENSI will cooperate in the field of civil nuclear safety. The scope of these activities will be defined by the two parties in the coming weeks.