FAQ

Answer

Nuclear industry has a number of specificities: application of precautionary principle, Non Proliferation Treaty and IAEA safeguards regime, many international legally binding instruments for safety, security and safeguards, regulation by a safety authority and protection against terrorism. The final objective is protection of the workers, the public and the environment.

Background

Nuclear industry has a number of specificities :
- It is based on the precautionary principle. Radiation protection and nuclear safety have been established for
  prevention of accidents and protection of the people and the environment. Linear no threshold model in radiation  
  protection, principle of justification of an activity etc. are examples of precautionary measures.
- It entails the application of the non-proliferation treaty which means safeguards regime implemented by IAEA and the
  Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material in order to prevent use or diversion of nuclear fissile materials
  for weapons fabrication.
- Many international legal instruments have been ratified by most of the nuclear countries (see next Q for more details)
  and are binding in their application.
- The industry is regulated by a national regulatory authority and has its own national standards based on
  internationally accepted safety standards (see next Q for more details).
- The industry as part of its safety approach is voluntarily exchanging worldwide information on events, incidents and
  accidents and transparency towards the public has become a rule.
- Finally, since the 9/11/2001, security and protection against terrorism are part of the measures taken to protect the
  public and the environment.

References: IAEA statute, Non Proliferation Treaty, IAEA Safety Standards, Conventions to be consulted on IAEA web site, EU Commission web site, NEA/OECD web site