Plans to incorporate IAEA's nuclear energy safety principles into Belarusian law

MINSK, 8 October (BelTA) – The Emergencies Ministry suggests discussing a bill on regulating safety in the course of using nuclear energy. A public discussion of the bill has been opened on the dedicated website Legal Forum of Belarus, BelTA has learned.

The bill is supposed to offer comprehensive regulation of public relations concerning nuclear and radiation safety at all stages of the lifecycle of nuclear energy installations. The bill will delineate and enhance the responsibility of the relevant central government agencies. It will ensure the fulfillment of Belarus' international commitments. The bill will incorporate the International Atomic Energy Agency's principles of safety during the use of nuclear energy into Belarusian legislation.

The bill pays close attention to the safety assurance system, which includes the legal base, leadership and culture of safety, state oversight, licensing and permits, expert evaluations and periodical safety evaluations, nuclear security, nuclear materials control and accounting, management of emergencies, and exchange of information relating to the use of nuclear energy. A set of organizations to provide scientific and technical support to the regulatory body in the area of nuclear and radiation safety is part of the safety assurance system.

Remarks and proposals can be submitted via a special thread of the Legal Forum of Belarus on 8-18 October.