Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-dh8gc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-19T15:28:52.587Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

EU Basic Safety Standards and European response to theFukushima accident

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 April 2013

A. Janssens

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

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).
EC (2011) Proposal for a Council Directive laying down basic safety standards for protection against the dangers arising from exposure to ionising radiation [COM(2011)593].
EU (1987a) Council Decision 87/600/EURATO M of 14 December 1987 on Community arrangements for the early exchange of information in the event of a radiological emergency (OJ L-371 of 30/12/87 page 76).
EU (1987b) Council Regulation No 3954/87 of 22 December 1987 laying down maximum permitted levels of radioactive contamination of foodstuffs and of feeding stuffs following a nuclear accident or any other case of radiological emergency (OJ L-371 of 30/12/87 page 11).
EU (1989) Council Directive 89/618/EURATO M of 27 November 1989 on informing the general public about health protection measures to be applied and steps to be taken in the event of a radiological emergency (OJ L-357 of 07/12/89 page 31).
EU (1996) Council Directive 96/29/EURATO M of 13 May 1996 laying down basic safety standards for the health protection of the general public and workers against the dangers of ionizing radiation (OJ L-159 of 29/06/96 page 1).
EU (2009) Council Regulation 1048/2009 of 23 October 2009 amending Regulation (EC) No 733/2008 on the conditions covering imports of agricultural products originating in third countries following the accident of the Chernobyl nuclear power station (OJ L-290 of 06/11/2009, page 4).
ICRP Publication 60 (1991) 1990 Recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection, Ann. ICRP 21 (1-3).
ICRP Publication 103 (2007) The 2007 Recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection, Ann. ICRP 37 (2-4).
ICRP Publication 109 (2009a) Application of the Commission’s Recommendations for the Protection of People in Emergency Exposure Situations, Ann. ICRP 39 (1).
ICRP Publication 111 (2009b) Application of the Commission’s Recommendations to the Protection of People Living in Long-term Contaminated Areas After a Nuclear Accident or a Radiation Emergency, Ann. ICRP 39 (3).