IAEA Symposium on International Safeguards

Implementing safeguards within Kingdom of Morocco: Achievements and challenges

Not scheduled

5m

M Building (Vienna International Centre)

Roundtable Member Shaping the future of safeguards implementation (SGI) [SGI] Establishing and Strengthening State and Regional Systems of Accounting for and Control of Nuclear Material (S/RSACs)

Speaker

Mrs Bouchra Boustani (AGENCE MAROCAINE DE SURETE ET DE SECURITE NUCLEAIRES ET RADIOLOGIQUES)

Description

The Kingdom of Morocco has a CSA with the IAEA which has been in force since 1975. It also has an AP in force since 2011.
Morocco has concluded subsidiary arrangements with the IAEA in 1984. These arrangements have identified the Ministry of Energy and Mines as the National Competent Authority. Since the SQP has been rescinded in 2007, Morocco submits on a regular basis the required information and reports. It also hosts IAEA verifications. Furthermore, Morocco submits required information under AP art.2.a since 2011 and hosted one complementary access in 2012.
However, in the absence of relevant regulations allowing the establishment of an SSAC until 2012, the declarations made by Morocco in the framework of the safeguards agreement concerned only the Maamora nuclear research Centre (CENM). As a result, there was only one MBA reported to the IAEA.
After the entry into force of the AP, a CA was performed at CENM in 2012, and it was suggested to Morocco to set up 3 MBAs(2 at CENM, with the third one bringing together the remaining nuclear material located in Morocco). However, given the lack of regulations, it has been difficult to meet IAEA requirements.
In 2014, the Kingdom of Morocco promulgated a comprehensive law addressing inter alia safeguards. The law has created a unique and independent regulatory body: the Moroccan Agency for Nuclear and Radiological Safety and Security (AMSSNuR). The law also states that AMSSNuR is the SRA with regard to the safeguard agreement.
As part of the upgrading of the national regulatory framework, AMSSNuR has elaborated regulations on safeguards, which it has submitted to the Government for approval in 2018.
The implementation of regulations and the updating of the Subsidiary Arrangements will enable AMSSNuR to put in place the necessary procedures to allow operators and individuals carrying out activities under the AP to submit the required reports and information in the proper format within set deadlines. It will also facilitate access for IAEA inspectors to locations identified by the IAEA. Thus, Morocco will be able to fully meet the requirements of the safeguards agreement.