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Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS)

9 April 2013
When IAEA Safety Standards and experience come together - Strengthening the Nuclear Regulatory Framework through IRRS Missions.IRRS Missions strengthen regulators - IRRS missions are designed to strengthen and enhance the effectiveness of the national nuclear regulatory infrastructure of States in nuclear, radiation protection, emergency preparedness, waste and transport safety and security of radioactive sources. <em>(Photo taken during the Slovakia 2012 IRRS Mission)</em>.The Regulatory Review process - The IRRS process provides the opportunity for a peer review of both regulatory technical and policy issues in any State regardless of the level of development, resulting in a cross-cutting review of the regulatory oversight of all facilities and activities utilizing radiation technologies in the host Member State. <em>(Photo taken during the Australia 2007 IRRS Mission)</em>.IAEA Nuclear Safety Standards and security guidance - The regulatory review process evaluates as objectively as possible, the State's regulatory infrastructure for safety with respect to IAEA standards and guidance, and provides recommendations and suggestions for improvement.Expert peer review - An expert peer review of the current extent of compliance with IAEA standards provides a good indicator of the effectiveness of the regulatory oversight of nuclear, radiation protection, emergency preparedness, waste and transport safety and security of radioactive sources. <em>(Photo taken during the UAE 2011 IRRS Mission)</em>.IRRS covers all activities - Typical IRRS missions address all relevant areas, facilities and activities regulated in the State, with a follow-up IRRS mission no more than four years later to review progress in implementing the IRRS suggestions and recommendations.Preparing for an IRRS - Preparation for the IRRS mission includes a self-assessment conducted by the State in accordance with the IAEA self-assessment methodology. The IRRS mission is an IAEA coordinated peer review conducted by a team of international reviewers led by a senior regulator from a Member State. <em>(Photo taken during the UAE 2011 IRRS Mission)</em>.IRRS outcomes - The review is structured to lead to the identification of areas for improvement and the formulation by the host country of an action plan to address identified deficiencies. <em>(Photo taken during the Russian 2009 IRRS Mission)</em>.IRRS follow-ups - A follow-up mission is undertaken in due course, by which the host country and IRRS review team assess progress with implementing the recommendations and suggestions in the Action Plan in the period since the initial review. <em>(Photo taken during the Spain 2011 IRRS Follow-up Mission)</em>.IRRS is good practice - The IRRS follow-up mission may also provide the opportunity for the IAEA, international reviewers and host country peers to identify additional regulatory technical and policy issues for review, to identify further good practices and provide input for the review of IAEA Safety Standards. <em>(Photo taken during the USA 2010 IRRS Mission)</em>.8 good reasons for an IRRS -<br /> 1. Provides expert review of technical and policy issues; 2. Compares regulatory practices against IAEA safety standards; 3. Strengthens and enhances national regulatory effectiveness; 4. Identifies opportunities for improvement; 5. Identifies successful strategies to share with other States; 6. Harmonizes regulatory approaches among States; 7. Creates mutual learning opportunities among regulators; 8. Contributes to continuous improvements in regulatory infrastructures worldwide. <em>(Photo taken during the ENSI-Switzerland IRRS Mission)</em>.For more information on hosting an IRRS mission, contact the IRRS:<br /><br /> Contact-Point@iaea.org. <br /><br />Find IRRS on the web: http://gnssn.iaea.org/regnet/Pages/irrs.aspxPhotos taken onsite during actual IRRS Missions at various Member State sites.<br /><br />Text and Photos:<br /><br /> - Ruth Morgart, IAEA Department of Nuclear Safety and Security

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Last update: 15 February 2018

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