Wednesday 2/26/2014
Iran Nuclear Regulatory Authority (INRA)
Iran Nuclear Regulatory Authority is a governmental regulatory body established to improve safety factors in nuclear and radiation facilities and activities as well as regulate the safe use of nuclear energy and radiation sources in order to ensure the protection of workers, the public, the future generations and environment against harmful effects of radiation.
While maintaining its effective independence, this body implements its legal authority through developing regulations and guidelines for nuclear and radiation safety, safety assessment, Issuing license and related permits for construction and operation and inspection, supervision and enforcement of regulation related to nuclear facilities.
This body, within the framework of its legal and regulatory obligations, surveys internationally accepted regulations, guidelines and safety standards such as IAEA's documents as well as other regulatory authorities' documents. These documents, after adjusting to existing laws in the country, as appropriate, could be adapted or edited by INRA. Otherwise, the required documents are developed by INRA. 
INRA management system has been established based on IAEA Safety standard GS-R-3 (2006), Safety Guide GS-G-3.1 (2006) and GSR Part1 (2010). Safety is the fundamental principle upon which the management system is based. Safety shall be properly taken into account in all management levels to plan, control and monitor activities related to nuclear and radiation safety. Safety shall not be compromised because of possible deficiencies or economic considerations.
INRA regulatory and supervisory activities, includes the following work areas:
-        Nuclear and radiation facilities and activities
-        Activities related to working with or transportation of radiation sources
-        Radioactive waste management
-        Any activity or event which may lead to the contamination or exposure of the people to natural or artificial sources
-        Regulation of these facilities and activities
INRA Legal and regulatory control will be continued throughout the lifetime of facilities and the duration of activities at all stages of site selection, design, construction, commissioning, operation and decommissioning. 
Vision OF INRA
Establishment of a Nuclear Regulatory Authority within the country, in a manner which provides assurance for the society that operation of nuclear and radiation facilities and conducting of related activities are safe and the radiation exposure to workers, public , future generations , as well as , environment contamination is reduced to as low as reasonably achievable level. 
Mission of INRA
Assurance of safe and secure utilization of nuclear energy and radiation sources within the country aimed to protect workers, the public, the next generations and environment against harmful effects of radiation.
 
Task and responsibilities of INRA
•        Issuing license/permit for facilities or activities and amendment, renewal, suspension or revocation of the license/ permit
•        Supervision on and inspection of nuclear and radiation facilities and activities, to ensure the compliance with safety, security and radiation protection requirements
•        Implementation of the enforcement policy within the legal framework for responding to non-compliance by authorized parties with regulatory (safety, security and radiation protection) requirements or with any conditions specified in the license/permit
•        Liaising and cooperating with regulatory bodies of other countries, international organizations and institutions in particular, with International Atomic Energy Agency and continuous attendance in international communities
•        Undertake all necessary action to ensure the protection of workers, the public, the future generations and environment against harmful effects of radiation
•        Developing/adopting regulations and guidelines related to the nuclear safety, nuclear security and radiation protection using international standards, in particular, IAEA standards
•        Establishing, maintaining and updating a national data bank containing the information related to nuclear and radiation facilities and activities
•        Establishing, maintaining and updating a national data bank containing the information relevant to workers doses, radiation sources and assigning the critical groups
•        Establishing and maintaining a system of accounting and controlling of radiation sources and nuclear material
•        Safety Assessment of nuclear and radiation facilities and activities
•        Developing technologies and performing researches and using the results on nuclear safety, nuclear security and radiation protection
•        Cooperation with government authorities and Providing advice, guidance and information on protecting workers, the public and environment , preparedness and planning for emergencies ,Physical protection of nuclear facilities and materials And transportation of radioactive materials
•        Providing information about nuclear safety and radiation protection in order to improve the safety culture
•        radiological assessment of environmental impact within the I.R. Iran border, including the estimation of radiation exposure from natural background radiation
•        Using the services of consultants, academic institutions, independent natural and legal persons (internal and external) through contracts signed .
•        Discharging the responsibility as the contact point for the related conventions
 
Task and responsibilities of Radiation Protection Department (NRPD)
•        Development of safety regulations, guides and standards
•        Safety assessment of radiation facilities and activities
•        Issuing license/authorization for facilities or activities and amendment, renewal, suspension or revocation of the license/authorization
•        Supervision on and inspection of activities involving the use of radiation sources, to ensure the compliance with "Radiation Protection Law"
•        Implementation of the enforcement policy within the legal framework for responding to non-compliance by Licensees with regulatory requirements or with any conditions specified in the license/authorization
•        Establishing and maintaining a computerized system in order to facilitate the execution, control and supervision of NRPD processes
•        Establishing, maintaining and updating a data bank containing the information of facilities, sources, workers and doses
•        Determination of critical group
•        Radiological assessment of environment and estimation of the exposure due to natural background radiation
•        Online monitoring of radiation level throughout the country in order to be timely informed of any irregular situation
•        Comprehensive investigation on radiological effect in the high natural background radiation areas and radiological effect of chronic exposure
•        Investigation of radiological effect on patients in medical diagnosis or treatment process
•        Investigation on radiological effect of non-ionizing radiation, such as UV
•        Providing consultation and advice on protection of workers, people and the environment
•        Responding to Cooperation for responding to and providing consultation on the event of an emergency
•        Providing information about radiation protection to improve safety culture
•        Discharging the responsibility as the contact point for the Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident and Convention on Assistance in the ... Radiological Emergency
•        Cooperation with other relative organizations, such as educational, scientific and research institutes and international organizations
 Task and responsibilities of National Nuclear Safety Department
•        Development, adaptation and revision of nuclear safety, safeguards and security regulations and regulatory guides.
•        Regulatory assessment of submitted documents including:
-        Nuclear safety and security documents and information;
-        Documents related to the analysis of operational occurrences, incidents and accidents in the process of construction, commissioning and operation of nuclear facilities;
-        Audit of contractors and manufacturers of equipments and components to ensure availability of appropriate quality management systems for performance of activities;
•        Granting authorization documents (licenses, permits & registration conclusions):
-        For specific activities related to siting, construction, commissioning, operation, de-commissioning of nuclear facilities;
-        Licenses to shift personnel and managers (certain categories);
•        Supervision over and inspection of safety assurance for/ during:
-        Compliance with safety regulatory requirements for nuclear facilities and activities;
-        Fulfillment of Validity Conditions of Licenses and Permits;
-        Design, manufacturing of equipments, installation of systems and components, testing, repairing, commissioning and operation of nuclear facilities;
-        Identifying operational occurrences, incidents and accidents in the process of construction, commissioning and operation of nuclear facilities;
-        Compliance with requirements of the national system of accounting and control of nuclear materials and radioactive substances at nuclear facilities;