Helsinki 13 - 23 March 2000
Division of Nuclear Installation Safety
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Summary
At the request of the Finnish Government authorities, an IAEA team of twelve experts visited the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) to conduct an International Regulatory Review Team (IRRT) mission. The purpose of the mission was to review the effectiveness of the regulatory body of Finland and to exchange information and experience in the regulation of nuclear, radiation, radioactive waste and transport safety. STUK has been allocated all the responsibilities normally associated with a regulatory body. In the opinion of the team, STUK is a highly competent organisation which has the technical capability to deal with the regulatory and technical areas for which it is responsible.
STUK has recently taken a number of initiatives to improve its effectiveness. These initiatives include the development of its quality system to facilitate continuous improvement and the re-design of its periodic inspection programme for nuclear power plants. The team also noted the advanced national preparations for dealing with the management of radioactive waste.
The reviewers identified a number of good practices which have been recorded for the benefit of other nuclear regulatory bodies. They also made recommendations and suggestions which indicate where improvements are necessary or desirable to further strengthen the regulatory body in Finland. These recommendations and suggestions are made to an organisation which is seeking to improve its performance and many of them are related to areas in which STUK has already implemented a programme for change.
The team discussed the extent to which STUK approves licensee activities and whether there was any benefit to be gained by reducing regulatory involvement. No conclusion was reached but the team believes this topic should be further considered by STUK management so that any possibility of diminishing the operators responsibility for safety is avoided.
STUK staff put a considerable effort into the preparation of the mission. During the review there was full cooperation during technical discussions with STUK personnel and the organization and administrative support was excellent. STUK counterparts were enthusiastic and interested in obtaining international advice and team members appreciated the opportunity to identify lessons for their own organizations from STUK practices.
Introduction
At the request of the Finnish Government authorities, an IAEA team of twelve experts visited the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) to conduct an International Regulatory Review Team (IRRT) mission. The purpose of the mission was to review the effectiveness of the regulatory body of Finland and to exchange information and experience in the regulation of nuclear, radiation, radioactive waste and transport safety in the following specific predetermined areas: legislative and governmental responsibilities; authority, responsibilities and functions of the regulatory body; organization of the regulatory body; authorization process; review and assessment; inspection and enforcement; development of regulations and guides; emergency preparedness; radioactive waste management and decommissioning; radiation safety; and transport safety.
The review was conducted from 13 to 24 March 2000 by an IAEA team of twelve experts. Before taking part in the mission the experts reviewed the Advanced Reference Material provided by STUK. During the mission, a systematic review of the predetermined areas was completed using interviews with staff and direct observation of working practices. STUK made available to the team a large number of legal, regulatory and internal documents in English and these are listed in Annexes I-IV.
Most of the IRRT activities took place at the STUK offices in Helsinki. During the mission six members of the team visited the Loviisa nuclear power plant, two experts visited Olkiluoto nuclear power plant and two experts visited Herttoniemi hospital to observe inspection practices. Members of the team spent time with Directors of both utilities, the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Nuclear Safety and a representative of the Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT). There were also visits to the Ministry of Trade and Industry (KTM), Ministry of Social Affairs and Health (STM), Ministry of the Interior (SM), and Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT).
In carrying out the review the team recognized that there are a number of initiatives being taken by STUK which are aimed at improving regulatory effectiveness. The team was also aware of the anticipated decision in principle on the siting of a deep geological repository for the spent fuel from nuclear power plants and discussions on a possible fifth nuclear power plant.
The whole report
IRRT follow-up 2003
