IAEA Mission Affirms Hungary’s Commitment to Nuclear and Radiation Safety

Budapest: An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team of experts has found that Hungary demonstrates a strong commitment to nuclear and radiation safety. The team’s review, held from 6 to 17 October, found Hungary’s nuclear regulator to be in high compliance with IAEA safety standards, making it a competent and trusted regulator.

According to EMM, the Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) mission, conducted at the request of the Government of Hungary and hosted by the Hungarian Atomic Energy Authority (HAEA), aimed to review Hungary’s governmental, legal, and regulatory framework for nuclear and radiation safety. IRRS missions are designed to strengthen the effectiveness of the national nuclear and radiation safety regulatory infrastructure, based on IAEA safety standards, while recognizing the responsibility of each country to ensure nuclear and radiation safety.

The IRRS team found that since the follow-up mission in 2018, Hungary has made notable progress in establishing a capable and independent HAEA. It said the establishment of a national safety policy and government support for regulatory institutions was evidence of the government’s prioritization of nuclear and radiation safety.

Several good performances were formally identified by the IRRS team, including the special legal status of the HAEA, whereby it reports directly to the Parliament, allowing for a high level of effective independence. The HAEA management’s comprehensive steps in enhancing safety culture at the regulatory body, including the 2024 Year of Safety Culture initiative and the development of a strategy and action plan for safety culture, were also highlighted.

The IRRS team provided recommendations and suggestions to support Hungary in further enhancing its regulatory framework. These included clarifying the allocation of tasks and responsibilities for regulatory control of medical exposures, establishing an integrated management system, documenting key regulatory processes and procedures within the management system, and reviewing and improving the existing arrangements between relevant regulatory authorities for effective coordination of their regulatory functions.

The outcome of this mission demonstrates Hungary’s dedicated and strong commitment to strengthening its regulatory infrastructure and, consequently, enhancing nuclear and radiation safety nationwide. The team also noted that the HAEA’s resources have been incrementally increased to accommodate the country’s growing nuclear industry. The IRRS team emphasized the importance of continued government support to ensure the regulator’s capacity to fulfill its mandate.

Continuous improvement is of paramount importance to the Hungarian Atomic Energy Authority, as it strengthens the robustness of the regulatory framework and enhances nuclear safety to protect both the public and the environment. The self-assessment process and the IAEA Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) mission provide valuable opportunities to further develop procedures, practices, and regulations, ensuring that Hungary’s regulatory system remains aligned with the ever-evolving and increasingly rigorous international standards.

The final mission report will be provided to the Government of Hungary within about three months, with plans to make the report publicly available.

The IAEA Safety Standards provide a robust framework of fundamental principles, requirements, and guidance to ensure safety. They reflect an international consensus and serve as a global reference for protecting people and the environment from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation.