Ukraine and Norway implement two joint nuclear safety projects
Ukrainian and Norwegian nuclear regulators have started the implementation of two new joint projects.
"The first project,NORM, is a joint work on the regulations for the safe management of non-nuclear radioactive materials," the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine (SNIU) reported.
This comprehensive project covers a wide range of aspects aimed at analysing industrial companies that generate non-nuclear natural radioactive materials and analysing the existing deficiencies of this sector in Ukraine. This project should result in the development of four regulatory documents to be applied in Ukraine.
The second project, ARGOS, provides for the transfer of relevant software and the training of Ukrainian experts with the goal of strengthening the emergency response and preparedness system for radiation accidents. The project is at the stage of implementation: the training and adjusting the software are ongoing.
"I would like to express my deep gratitude to DSA (Norwegian Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Security), which remains one of our most reliable partners, for its constant support of the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine, which is especially important in the conditions of the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine," SNIU Head Oleh Korikov said following the results of the meeting with Per Strand, DSA Director General, on 18 September during the 69th IAEA General Conference in Vienna.
The SNRIU and DSA started cooperation in 2014. Joint projects launched after 24 February 2022 cover, in particular, such areas as inspection of the territories affected by Russian military occupation and supplying the previously occupied territories with radiation monitoring equipment.
The parties also cooperate in developing policies and procedures to reestablish regulatory control over nuclear facilities affected by occupation and combat action, as well as in the management of critical knowledge necessary for the protection of personnel, population and environment during nuclear or radiation incidents caused by combat action.
Norway stated on 18 September that elevated levels of radioactive cesium (Cs-137) detected near the Arctic border with Russia are likely connected with a forest fire near Chornobyl in Ukraine.