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From Bulgaria
21.04.2016 11:07
© BNRA
An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team of experts said Bulgaria’s nuclear safety regulatory system has improved significantly in recent years, but added that the regulatory body’s high staff turnover remained a concern.
The Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) team concluded он Април 18 a seven-day follow-up mission to assess the regulatory framework for nuclear and radiation safety in Bulgaria, reviewing developments since a previous mission in 2013.
“The Bulgarian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (BNRA) followed up on the earlier mission with a comprehensive action plan that led to significant progress in all areas. Among improvements are a clearer division of responsibilities between BNRA and the Ministry of Health,” said team leader Marta Ziakova, Chair of Slovakia’s Nuclear Regulatory Authority.
“We also noted that more work is needed in some areas, such as staff retention.”
The IRRS team noted that the improved division of responsibilities as well as strengthened coordination and cooperation between the regulatory body and the Health Ministry reduced the risk of duplication or gaps in regulatory work.
It also found that the BNRA has strengthened its inspection process, upgraded its management system and substantially improved emergency planning arrangements, including by establishing systematic emergency training.
The team of experts made suggestions to the regulatory body and the Government to help them continue their work to strengthen Bulgaria’s regulatory framework and functions in line with IAEA safety standards.
The nine-member IRRS team comprised experts from Germany, Greece, Norway, Pakistan, Slovakia and Slovenia, as well as three IAEA staff members.
The mission provided two new suggestions for improvements:
• BNRA should continue negotiations with relevant authorities for sufficient financial resources that would allow for competitive salaries to reduce staff turnover.
• The Health Ministry should consider developing a systematic programme to ensure that all areas it regulates are covered by inspections within a given period.
The final mission report will be provided to the Government of Bulgaria in about three months.
IRRS missions are designed to strengthen the effectiveness of the national nuclear regulatory safety infrastructure, while recognizing the responsibility of each State to ensure nuclear and radiation safety.
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