Jul 10, 2017
The Board of Management of the UAE’s Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) convened its third meeting scheduled this year to review FANR’s progress in line with its corporate strategy.
The meeting, chaired by His Excellency Abdulla Nasser Al Suwaidi, Chairman of FANR, reviewed the five-year Regulation Development Framework Plan (2017-2021). The plan aims to provide the licensees with an appropriate framework, taking into consideration their needs in terms of safety, security, and safeguards. Within the plan, FANR will conduct a systemic periodic reviews to determine if amendments to issued regulations are necessary. Such reviews will take into considerations FANR licensing, inspection and enforcement activities as well as operating experience in the UAE and elsewhere as well as guidance documents from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
In addition, the board members discussed the Research and Development Policy, which is a cornerstone of the Authority’s corporate strategy in line with the UAE Nuclear Law. The law provisions stipulate FANR to carry out and support research and development studies relevant to the scope of work so that FANR can perform its mandate to regulate the nuclear sector in the UAE towards the peaceful purposes.
Meanwhile, the board has endorsed the Radiological Environmental Monitoring Programme Report, which is the first of its kind to be published in the country later this year, illustrating efforts of FANR in protecting the public and the environment. The report provides independent measurements confirming levels of radionuclides in the environment of the UAE prior to the operation of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant. It also provides information on radiation protection and environmental protection to governmental entities. The report enhances UAE national infrastructure in the area of radiological environmental monitoring.
Building national capacity in the nuclear sector is a priority. The Board, therefore, endorsed the participation of FANR in the second phase of the Thermal-hydraulic Test Loop for Accident Simulation (ATLAS), which is organized by the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) of the Organisation for Economic Co operation and Development (OECD). The ATLAS project is aimed at topics of high safety relevance for the UAE nuclear power plant.
On the other hand, the board also received latest updates about status of operating license application for Units 1 and 2 at the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in in Barakah in Al Dhafra as well as inspection processes to ensure application of FANR’s safety, security and safeguards requirements.
Ensuring prompt response to emergencies, the Board reviewed a procedure on its role in case of any nuclear or radiological emergencies in the UAE or that might take place internationally. FANR is enhancing its emergency-response capabilities, adopting best practices on addressing such scenarios in collaboration with local and international stakeholders.