ML20141G455
| ML20141G455 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 06/26/1997 |
| From: | Shirley Ann Jackson, The Chairman NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Echavarri L ORGANIZATION FOR ECONOMIC COOPERATION & DEVELOPMENT |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9707080091 | |
| Download: ML20141G455 (5) | |
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A UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION h
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20655-0001 .-
June 26, 1997 CHAIRMAN i
Mr. Luis Echavarri Director General Nuclear Energy Agency Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Le Seine-Saint Germain 12 boulevard des lies 92130 issy-les-Moulineaux, France l
Dear Mr. Echavarri:
I am writing to provide you with information about the newly constituted intemational Nuclear Regulators Association (INRA), with the object of seeking to harmonize INRA's activities and those of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's Nuclear Energy ,
Agency (OECD/NEA). I would appreciate your support for this initiative, as I believe that 1 regular contact and cooperation among nuclear regulators in a variety of fora significantly enhances nuclear safety worldwide. ;
y The Intemational Nuclear Regulators Association was formally constituted in Paris May 29-30,1997. The members finalized a terms of reference document which describes how the INRA will be organized, its initial membership, and how it plans to develop working relationships with other national and intemational nuclear safety and regulatory bodies (see enclosure). We also discussed two broad topics at length, national trends in electric generation and their effer.t on nuclear safety; and an assessment of effectiveness of nuclear regulatory and safety assistance. It is my honor to serve as INRA's first Chairman (1997-1999). Tha Association expects to meet in the United States in January 1998, and thereafter meet on a twice yearly basis.
- During our deliberations, we agreed that a first priority was to establish and consolidate the Association,' develop the program of the body, and to determine how it might usefully contribute to enhancing nuclear safety. It was felt that this task should proceed during the initial two-year period before taking a decision on how to involve other national regulatory agencies or other interested organizations. The decision to defer the general issue of membership does not, however, preclude the Association from arranging ad hoc activities ,f with other regulatory bodies or nuclear-related organizations, where such activities are g deemed to provide a useful way to advance the Association's objectives. I hope we will be able to include the OECD/NEA in our activities at an early date. )'
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i To promote the work of INRA, Dr. Lars H6gberg, Chairman of the OECD/NEA Committee on i Nuclear Regulatory Activities (CNRA), requested that I make a presentation on the e organization at the next CNRA meeting on December 1-2, 1997. I intend to accept this invitation and I would like to request your support. I have asked Ms. Janet M. Gom of the i
Nuclear Regulatory Commission's Office of Intemational Programs, to discuss logistical and l
other arrangements with your staff.
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Sincerely, ,
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a Shirley Ann Jackson f a
Enclosure:
As stated 4 i
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May 29,1997 TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE INTERNATIONAL NUCLEAR REGULATORS ASSOCIATION (INRA) l PREAMBLE:
I The Intemational Nuclear Regulators Association (" Association") is established to influence and enhance nuclear safety, from the regulatory perspective, among its members as well as worldwide.
The Association shall comprise the most senior officials of well-established independent national nuclear regulatory organizations who wish to exchange perspectives on important issues of nuclear st %ty.
OBJECTIVES -
. To establish a forum for the most senior nuclear regulatory officials to exchange views on broad regulatory policy issues (technical, legal, economic, administrative).
- To build a globa! nuclear safety culture.
- To encourage the most efficient use of resources in areas of common interest.
- To work to enhance the stature of nuclear regulatory organizations worldwide.
To seek consensus on how nuclear regulatory issues can be approached and implemented; to facilitate international cooperation in regulation.
. To work to advance nuclear safety through cooperation among its members, cooperation with relevant existing intergovemmental organizations (e.g., IAEA, OECD/NEA), with other national nuclear regulatory organizations, and other groups and organizations, as appropriate.
- To identify emerging nuclear regulatory challenges.
ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS:
ARTICLE 1: NAME The organization established pursuant to these Terms of Reference shall be called the Intemational Nuclear Regulators Association (INRA).
ARTICLE 2: PURPOSE The Association shallinfluence and enhance nuclear safety, from the regulatory perspective, among its l
- members as well as worldwide.
ARTICLE 3: ACTIVITIES The tasks assigned to the Association shall be carried out, both individually and collectively, in conformity with the provisions set forth in these Terms of Reference, to support the common interest of the members.
In particular, the Association shall act by consensus to:
- 1. Promote the exchange of information and experience among mernbers.
- 2. Review and assess on a continuing basis the effectiveness of the Association's activities.
- 3. Make recommendations to cther responsible bodies, both national and intemational, concerning issues of nuclear regulatory significance; support intemational cooperative activities and other nuclear safety initiatives; part cipate in relevant activities of other bodies concemed with nuclear safety, as appropriate; and rt view the nuclear safety programs of existing intemational bodies. l
- 4. Consider, at en early date, the value of convening meetings comprising the most senior officials of a broad range of national nuclear regulatory organizations, relevant existing intergovemmental organizations, and other groups and organizations, as a useful means for advancing the (
Association's stated objectives.
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ARTICLE 4: MEMBERSHIP j Members of the Intemational Nuclear Regblators Association shall be the most senior officials of national nuclear regulatory bodies.
The initial membership takes into account, for each respective country, the size and scope of the nuclear program; the existence of a well-established, independent nuclear regulatory authority; and a firm commitment to the provisions of the Convention on Nuclear Safety.
The Association intends to consider, during an initial period of two years, the most effective way to achieve its objectives and, based on that experience, how to involve other national nuclear regulatory organizations.
ARTICLE 5: LANGUAGE The working language shall be English.
ARTICLE 6: ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE The Association shall establish the following organizational elements: ;
. A Chairman shall be chosen by consensus and shall coordinate the work of the Association during his/her period of incumbency.
. The first Chairman shall serve for two years. Thereafter, the designated Chairman shall serve for a period of one year.
. The Chairman shall provide the Secretariat functions during his/her period of incumbency.
. The members shall cover their own expenses for participation in meetings. l ARTICLE 7: ASSOCIATION MEETINGS j Association meetings shall be held at least annually.
1 Association meetings shall be organized on the most efficient possible basis. 1 The agreed consensus of the group will be made publicly available. The confidentiality of the working ]
j papers and discussions of the Association shall be protected, as appropriate, to the extent authorized by the respective national laws and policies of its members. 1 l
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Signed in Paris, on the 29th of May,1997. l l
i Agnes J. Bishop Juan . Kindelan i
President Presi ent l Atomic Energy Control Board of Canada Consejo de Seguridad Nuclear, Spain l
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l Andr6-Cla e La osta rs H g !
Director - '
Director General Nuclear Installations Safety Directorate, Swedish Nuclear Power inspectorate (SKI)
France l
Gerald Hennenhofer Sam Harbison Director General for Nuclear Safety HM Chief Inspector of l Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Nuclear installations (Nil),
l Conservation, and Nuclear Safety (BMU), United Kingdom l
Germany l
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Yasumasa Togo Shirley Ann Jackson Chairman Chairman Nuclear Safety Commission, Japan United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (US NRC),
United States of America g n ,
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v Tomihiro Taniguchi j Deputy Director General Agency of Natural Resources and l Energy, MITI, Japan l
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