Press Release: The EU establishes a common binding framework on nuclear safety

The adoption by the Council of the Nuclear Safety Directive on 25 June, 2009, was a major step for achieving a common legal framework and a strong safety culture in Europe. The EU thus became the first major regional nuclear actor to provide binding legal force to the main international nuclear safety standards, namely the Safety Fundamentals established by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) 1 and the obligations resulting from the Convention on Nuclear Safety 2. The Directive also reinforced the independence and resources of the national competent regulatory authorities.