Spain receives high marks for nuclear safety from UN atomic watchdog

The United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has praised Spain’s regulatory structure of its nuclear safety system after a thorough review of the country’s programme.

At Spain’s request, experts from the IAEA’s Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) conducted many interviews and inspections in a bid to help boost nuclear safety.

The mission identified good practices in areas such as the technical competence of personnel and the quality of infrastructure, but also pointed out areas for improvement.

IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei said he hopes that a strong nuclear culture can be adopted globally, with existing vulnerabilities being addressed.

“We must work together to close the gaps that exist today in the coverage of international safety conventions and codes of conduct,” he said at a workshop in Seville wrapping up the experts’ assessment earlier this month. “It is essential to ensure that a true safety culture takes root worldwide, not least in countries new to nuclear power.”

With the IRRS, established in 2006, having already conducted similar missions in Romania, the United Kingdom and France, several other nations have already asked for its assistance in the future, which Mr. ElBaradei said is “encouraging.”