Legal framework & regulatory system for introduction of npp into Vietnam Le Chi Dung

LEGAL FRAMEWORK & REGULATORY SYSTEM for introduction of NPP into Vietnam

• Le Chi Dung (VARANS, Vietnam)

• Vienna, 10-12 December 2008

Contents

• Legislative and governmental infrastructure

• VARANS: organization, human resource and responsibilities

• Authorization process for NPP

• Action plan for regulatory system development

• Conclusions

Legislative and governmental infrastructure

• At present Vietnam has Ordinance on Radiation Protection and Control and 17 under-law regulation documents

• They regulate radiation protection, not nuclear safety

• Atomic Energy Law will be validated since January 1, 2009, and will replace the Ordinance

• The Law stipulates all activities in the field of atomic energy and the assurance of safety and security in those activities

Legislative and governmental infrastructure (cont’d)

VARANS: organization, human resource and responsibilities

VARANS: organization, human resource and responsibilities (cont’d)

VARANS: organization, human resource and responsibilities (cont’d)

• (Atomic Energy Law, Article 8)

• VARANS’s responsibilities and functions:

• Drafting legal documents on radiation and nuclear safety;

• Registration of radioactive substances, radiation equipments, nuclear material, nuclear equipments, and licensing for conducting radiation practices in accordance with its competency;

• Conducting and organizing verification on radiation and nuclear safety;

• Safety oversight, inspection and enforcement;

VARANS: organization, human resource and responsibilities (cont’d)

• VARANS’s responsibilities and functions:

• Organizing nuclear control activities in accordance with provisions by laws;

• Participation in emergency response;

• Establishing and maintaining the national information system on radiation and nuclear safety;

• Organizing and cooperating for professional trainings on radiation and nuclear safety;

• Carrying out international cooperation activities in radiation and nuclear safety.

Authorization process (for NPP, cont’d)

• Early Site approval, or Application for Site approval together with Application for NPP project approval

• NPP project approval includes construction permit

Authorization process (for NPP, cont’d)

• “Double check” by VARANS and the National Nuclear Safety Council

Action plan for regulatory system development (legal documents)

• Preparation Stage (to be issued in Quarter I/2009)

• - Decree on Nuclear Power Plants

• Sitting Stage (to be issued in Quarter III/2009)

• - Requirements for sitting

• - Guidance on site approval procedure

• Construction Licensing (to be issued in Quarter I/2010)

• - Requirements for design

• - Guidance on construction permit procedure

Action plan for regulatory system development (approach)

• Active support of IAEA

• - TC Project on Strengthening Regulatory Body Capacity

• Close cooperation with other countries

• - US NRC helps in drafting generic regulatory documents

• - VARANS prepares specific documents for the country

• Detailed plan for human resource development including recruitment and training (basic and qualification)

Conclusions

• Weak points of Vietnam

• There are not enough regulations and guides on radiation safety; no one on nuclear safety, except provisions in Atomic Energy Law
• VARANS’s responsibilities and functions are specified by Law, but VARANS has too few experienced staff
• Authorization procedures (for NPP) are too complicated (there is no unique competent responsible regulatory body)
• It is unclear coordination role and special measures in case of Nuclear Emergency

Thank you for your attention!