Nuclear energy: safety of installations, basic obligations and general principles

OBJECTIVE: to set out the basic obligations and general principles on the safety of nuclear installations CONTENT: the proposal for a directive sought to establish common standards for the safety of nuclear installations. Despite a degree of harmonisation, safety practices still varied widely from one Member State to another. Community intervention was therefore necessary. The prospect of enlargement also emphasised the need for such action. Enshrining the existing rules and principles in Community legislation would make it possible to reconcile efficiency and speed of implementation. Having recourse, to some extent, to experts from the national safety authorities to carry out the tasks connected with the verifications would make it possible to provide undisputed technical expertise. Interlinking the national systems and the Community system would guarantee the maintenance of a high level of safety for nuclear installations in the enlarged EU. It was also essential to guarantee that the final phase of the nuclear cycle would be managed in accordance with radiological safety standards and on the basis of transparency in the use of financial resources. To this end, it was necessary to create a framework for national regulations. Definition of criteria for the creation and management of funds for the decommissioning of nuclear installations would enable the maintenance of a high level of nuclear safety throughout the decommissioning phase to be guaranteed. In accordance with the Nuclear Safety Convention and the conclusions of the Laeken European Council, the Member States would be obliged to transmit reports on the measures taken to meet their obligations and on the state of safety of installations under their supervision. These reports would be examined by Member States and the Commission. �