ML20196H396
| ML20196H396 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 07/16/1997 |
| From: | Shirley Ann Jackson, The Chairman NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Marras L ITALY, GOVT. OF |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9707250129 | |
| Download: ML20196H396 (4) | |
Text
_
u:%
UNITED STATES
/
. (
\\
' NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION gl p
g WASHINGTON, D.C. 30856-4001 j [6 v!
i
~
July 16, 1997_
l~
esse CHA N4AN
~
l Mr. Luigi Marras l
. Commercial Office i
Embassy of Italy l
1601 Fuller Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009 l
Dear Mr. Marras:
This letter is in reference to your memorandum of March 11,1997 in which Italy indicated its interest in joining the Intemational Nuclear Regulators Forum. By now you should have l
received my letter of May 21,1997 noting that I would circulate your information paper, and '
l consult with the Working Group members on the issue of Italy's participation. As a result of these deliberations, I have been asked to report to you that Italy will not be offered membership in the intomational Nuclear Re0ulators Association (INRA) at this time, and to l
explain the group's reasoning.
As you know, the members of the Working Group convened a meeting in Paris May 29-30, 1997 and formally constituted the Association. We 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 (enclosed). We also discussed two broad topics at length, national trends in electric generation and their effect on nuclear safety; and an assessment of effectiveness of nuclear regulatory and safety assistance. Finally,'l had the honor of being named first
- Chairman of INRA (1997-1999). The Association expects to meet in the United States in L
January 1998, and thereafter meet on a twice yearly basis.
The group spent significant time considering the merits of Italy's request. Our conclusions l
can be summarized as follows. ' First and foremost, INRA was never considered a Group of Seven (G-7) activity, and its membership is not based on the criteria for participation in the j
-G-7 (i.e.,' economic factors). As defined in Article 4 of the Terms of Reference (see
/
enclosure), INRA's membership is based on 'the size and scope of the nuclear program,"
f with.an emphasis on the operatio?al experience gained from regulating an active, complex 1
nuclear power program.- The members reasoned that, at least for the first two years,-
J adhering to this basic commonality of experience and interest would create optimum f) conditions for the Association to establish and consolidate itself, and to determine how it F
1 l
'might usefully contribute to enhancing worldwide riuclear safety. Depending on conclusions reached in this initial period, decisions would then be taken on how to address membership of other nuclear regulators in the Association.
1 i
9707250129 970716
[
PDR COMMS NRCC CORRESPONDENCE PDR l
N 1
t v'
2 The decision to defer the general issue of membership does not, however, preclude the group from arranging ad hoc activities with other regulatory bodies, where such activities are deemed to provide a useful way to advance the Association's objectives. Given your support for, and interest in, the Association, I hope we will be able to include you in our activities at an early date.
Sincerely, Shirley Ann Jackson
Enclosure:
As stated 4
e t
May 29,1997 1
f i' C t
TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE INTERNATIONAL NUCLEAR REGULATORS ASSOCIATION (INRA)
F PREAMBLE:, C2SE ZiCl22iUCZZCj'2122Z11;lEC i C The Intemabonal Nuclear Regulators Assoambon ("Associabon")is estabbshed to influence and enhance i
nuclear rafety, from the regulatory perspective, among its members as well as worldwide a
4 The Associabon shall comprise the most senior offidais of we5+stablished independent nabonal nuclear 1
l regulatory eigerblicas who wish to exchange perspectives on important issues of nuclear safety.
l 4
OBJECTWES jdEE$iWl}EffE3]&TgEMf3REEQREEM3ffggi$7fsEEEjEliL To establish a forum for the most senior nucisar regulatory officials to exchange views on broad i
j regulatory policy issues (technkal, legal, economic, administrative).
L l
To build a global nuclear safety cultu*e.
To encourage the most efficient use of resources in areas of common interest.
To work to enhance the stature of nuclear regulatory organizations worldwide.
l To seek consensus on how nuclear regulatory issues can be approached and implemented; to 4
facilitate intemational cooperation in regulation.
i To work to advance nucles. safety through cooperation among its members, cooperation w!th i
relevant existing intergovemmental organizations (e.g., IAEA, OECD/NEA), with other natior,al i
i nuclear regulatory organizations, and other groups and organizations, as appropriate.
To identify emerging nuclear regulatory challenges.
d I -
1 ADMINISTRATWEARRANGEMENT8k ^7!2n AM1Edd!ITLMLOW ARTICLE 1: NAME The organization established pursuant to these Terms of Reference shall be called the Intematio Nuclear Regulators Association (INRA).
t i
1 I
ARTICLE 2: PURPOSE t
The Associabon shallinfluence and enhance nudear safety, from the regulatory perspective, among i 4
l members as well as worldwide 4
ARTICLE 3: ACTIVITIES 1
1 The tasks assigned to the Association shall be carried out, both individually and collechvely, in co with the provisions set forth in these Terms of Reference, to support the common interest of the l
l in particular, the Association shall act by consensus to:
Promote the exchange of information and experience among members.
f 1.
1 i
l.
ENCLOSURE
. - ~ _ _ _ _ _ _.._._._.._ -._ _...._ _ _.__ _ _.._ _..__ -.. _.__ _
l 4
l P
2.
Review and assess on a continuing basis the effectiveness of the Association's activities.
)
j 3.
Make recommendsbons to other responsible bodies, both national and intomational, concoming issues of nuclear regulatory significance; support intemational cooperative activities and other 3
j nuclear safety initiatives; participate in relevant activities of other bodies concemed with nuclear
. safety, as appropriate; and review the nuclear safety programs of existing intemabonal bodies.
i 4.
Consider, at an early date, the value of convening meetings compnsing the most senior officials of a broad range of nabonal nuclear regulatory organizations, raievant existing intergovemmental organizations, and other groups and organizations, as a useful means for advancing the l
Association's stated objectives.
i:
1 ARTICLE 4: MEMBERSHIP l
Members of the intemabonal Nudoar Regulators Ammar=han shall be the moet senior omcials of national nuclear regulatory bodies.
l The initial membership takes into account, for each respechve 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.
1
[
The Association intends to mnsider, dunng an initial period of two years, the most effechve way to achieve its objectives and, based on that experience, how to involve other national nuclear regulatory organizations.
.r ARTICLE 5: LANGUAGE i
i The working language shall be English.
ARTICLE 6: ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE The Association shall establish the following organizational elements:
o 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 yur.
The Chairman shall provide the Secreta @t functions during his/her period of incumbency.
The members shall cover their own expenses for participation in mte:Ags.
ARTICLE 7: A880CtATION MEETING 8 Association meetings shall be held at least annually.
Association meetings shall be organized on the most efficient possible basic.
Ti.; agreed consensus of the group will be made publicly available. The confidentiality of the working pcyrs 'nd discussions of the Associabon shall be protected, as appropriate, to the extent authorized by the rs.,w Ne nationallaws and policies of its rnambers.
8 '.
Signed in Paris, on the 29th of May,1997.
MN Agnes J. sishop Juan Kindelen President Asomic Energy Control Board of Canada Consak de Seguridad Nudear, Spain d
%redor Di Director General Nuclear installations Safety Dwoctorate.
Swedish Nudear Power inspedorate (SKI)
France c-Gerald Hennenhofer Sam Harbison Drector Generalfor Nuclest Safety HM ChiefInspector of Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Nudear Installatiorn (Nil),
Conservation, and Nuclear Safety (BMU),
United Kingdom Germany fwp % h b
_1 I --
Yasumasa Togo Shirley Ann Jackson Chairman Chairman Nuclear Safety Commission, Japan United States Nuclear Regulatory Canmission (US NRC),
United States of America g
n
(
s Tomihiro Taniguchi Deputy D, odor G.n.rs A0ency of Natural Resources and Energy, MIT1, Japan l
l
_