Press Release: The EU takes the lead on nuclear safety with the amendment to the Nuclear Safety Directive

The European Union's new Nuclear Safety Directive was adopted on the 8 July 2014 by the Council of the European Union. It provides more power and independence for national regulatory authorities, a high-level EU-wide safety objective, and a European system of peer reviews. It will also introduce periodic national safety assessments and on-site emergency preparedness and response arrangements. In addition, it increases transparency and improve education and training.

The 2014 directive amends the one in force since 2009. It provides a stronger framework for EU nuclear safety, as called for by the EU Heads of State or Government following the 2011 nuclear accident in Fukushima.

Member States have 3 years to transpose the directive into national legislation.

• Primary Source

European Commission: DG Energy and Transport: Nuclear Issues http://ec.europa.eu/energy/nuclear/index_en.htm

European Commissin: RAPID: MEMO/14/464: Questions and answers on the amended Nuclear Safety Directive http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-14-464_en.pdf

ESO: Background information: EU Nuclear Stress Tests: Legally binding reviews every six years http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-eu-nuclear-stress-tests-legally-binding-reviews-every-six-years/

ESO: Background information: Council agrees on the revision of the nuclear safety directive http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-council-agrees-on-the-revision-of-the-nuclear-safety-directive/

Council of the European Union: Press Release, PRES/14/370: Council adopts nuclear safety directive http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/trans/143712.pdf

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