The International Atomic Energy Agency Completes Nuclear Security Review Mission in the United States | WPN World People News

A team of nuclear security experts led by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) completed a mission to review nuclear security practices of civil nuclear facilities licensed by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).

Conducted at the U.S. Government's request, the two-week International Physical Protection Advisory Service (IPPAS) mission reviewed the United States’ nuclear security-related legislative and regulatory framework. As part of this work, the IPPAS team, led by John O’Dacre of Canada and comprising nine experts from eight IAEA Member States, met with NRC officials and reviewed the physical protection systems at the Center for Neutron Research (NCNR) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

The IPPAS team concluded that nuclear security within the U.S. civil nuclear sector is robust and sustainable and has been significantly enhanced in recent years. The team identified a number of good practices in the nation's nuclear security regime and at the NCNR. The IPPAS team also made a recommendation and some suggestions for the continuing improvement of nuclear security overall.

The mission in the United States was the 60th IPPAS mission organized by the IAEA.

"Independent international peer reviews such as IAEA IPPAS missions are increasingly being recognized for their value as a key component for exchanges of views and advice on nuclear security measures," said Khammar Mrabit, Director of the IAEA's Office of Nuclear Security. "The good practices identified during this mission will contribute to the continuous improvements of nuclear security in other Member States."

The IPPAS team provided a draft report to the NRC and will submit a final report soon. Because it contains security-related information about a specific nuclear site, IPPAS reports are not made public.

"The IPPAS programme gives us a chance to learn from the experience and perspective of our international partners," said NRC Chairman Allison M. Macfarlane. "Together, the international community is working to strengthen nuclear security worldwide."