26 Nov (NucNet): The Netherlands has significantly strengthened its regulatory framework for nuclear and radiation safety since 2014, particularly by establishing a single independent regulatory body, an International Atomic Energy Agency team of experts has said.
The Integrated Regulatory Review Service team said the government, following recommendations made by an earlier mission, had consolidated regulatory functions under the Authority for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection, or ANVS, and provided sufficient resources for regulating nuclear and radiation safety.
Previously, the regulatory functions had been spread among several ministries.
The IRRS team found that since 2014, ANVS had taken steps to develop its management system and foster a strong safety culture, and develop and implement inspection planning and emergency preparedness and response.
The Netherlands operates one commercial nuclear power plant at Borssele, in the country’s southwest. The Netherlands also has another nuclear power reactor in permanent shutdown, a fuel enrichment plant, a radioactive waste storage facility and two operating research reactors, one of which, at Petten, produces 30% of the world’s medical isotopes.
