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EU Basic Safety Standards and European response to theFukushima accident

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 April 2013

A. Janssens

Abstract

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The European Basic Safety Standards Directive (EU, 1996) contains a chapter onintervention, which, to a large extent, is dedicated to emergency planning and response,but without detailed requirements. A new Directive will consolidate all existingDirectives and thus broaden the scope to all exposure situations and categories ofexposure, including the protection of the environment. This new text follows thesituation-based approach recommended by ICRP (ICRP, 2007). The requirements for emergencypreparedness have been worked out in more detail, and the use of reference levels foremergency response is highlighted. The accident in Fukushima prompted reflection on theEuratom legal framework, including the Basic Safety Standards, the arrangements for theearly exchange of information (ECURIE) and legislation on the nuclear safety of nuclearinstallations. A “stress test” of EU nuclear power plants has been undertaken, whichincludes on-site emergency response. The results of this exercise will allow theCommission to report, by the end of 2012, to the EP and the Council, and to propose newlegislation as appropriate. This may extend to the harmonisation of off-site emergencyresponse and communication arrangements among Member States. Meanwhile, an informalcoordination mechanism is being set up with the Heads of European Radiation ProtectionCompetent Authorities (HERCA). With regard to the legislation on maximum permitted levelsin food, there will be further reflection on the consistency between the controls in placeafter Chernobyl and after Fukushima, as well as their consistency with the values for theplacing on the market of food and feed in the EU in the event of a future accident.

Keywords

NuclearemergencyEuropestandards
Type
Research Article
Information
Radioprotection , Volume 48 , Issue 5: First NERIS Platform Workshop – Preparedness for nuclear and radiological emergency response and recovery: Implementation of ICRP recommendations , 2013 , pp. S19 - S26
Copyright
© EDP Sciences, 2013

References

EC (2005) Commission Decision 2005/845/EURATO M of 25 November 2005 concerning the accession of the European Atomic Energy Community to the Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident (OJ L-314 of 30/11/2005 pages 21-22).
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