EP calls for higher levels of nuclear safety

The European Parliament, on an initiative of EPP Group Member Romana Jordan, has adopted (438 votes to 154, with 37 abstentions) its Opinion on the amended Euratom Regulation on Nuclear Safety.

“The Fukushima accident was an important reminder of the crucial role that nuclear safety plays in contemporary societies. It showed that nuclear technology is not dangerous in itself, but that perils arise when people do not act in accordance with high standards for nuclear safety", explained Romana Jordan MEP.

"For legislators, Fukushima was a reminder that adequately educated and skilled nuclear professionals play a crucial role in preserving a high level of nuclear safety. The EU reacted swiftly to the accident, it performed stress tests of all nuclear power plants in the European Union and elsewhere. The tests resulted in recommendations on three levels: operational recommendations for individual nuclear power plants, recommendations for national regulators and requests to update nuclear safety legislation at EU level."

Amendments to the current Nuclear Safety Directive adopted by the EP have one main objective: to underline the importance of strong, independent and credible national regulatory agencies in order to achieve the highest level of nuclear safety. The recommendations based on the results of stress tests which had been carried out in all European nuclear power plants after the Fukushima accident, are therefore to be put in practice. In addition, the Parliament's paper establishes a more uniform system of nuclear safety peer reviews.

Jordan concluded that a stable legislative environment with clear provisions on the responsibilities of individual actors in the field of nuclear safety as well as requirements for the licence holders which are obliged to respect the highest levels of nuclear safety is a must and called for the Council to take the Parliament's Opinion well into consideration.