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Description
In Chile, the physical protection of nuclear facilities and materials has been regulated since 1985 [1]. However, the physical security of radioactive materials was established as a requirement, with the publication of the regulation for the physical protection of radioactive materials, in July 2020 [2].
The new regulation establishes requirements for the protection of radioactive materials when the activity of radioactive materials in the radioactive facility exceeds a reference value. Three levels of physical protection are established in accordance with the Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources [3].
The authorized party must carry out a documented safety assessment and a physical protection plan. This plan should include detection, delay and response measures in accordance with the level of physical protection. Annually, the authorized party must evaluate the effectiveness of the physical protection measures, and the result of the evaluation must be communicated to the regulatory authority.
The Chilean Nuclear Energy Commission is the regulatory body for the radiation safety and nuclear security of radioactive materials. During 2021, the regulator has modified its management system procedures to include nuclear security aspects in the review and assessment, and inspection. In addition, checklists have been generated and specific safety inspections have been planned.
For effective implementation of the regulation's requirements, the regulator has conducted workshops, with authorized parties, on the new requirements. Workshops on safety culture and nuclear security have also been conducted, in accordance with the recommendations of the Ibero-American Forum of Radiological and Nuclear Regulatory Agencies [4].
In order to strengthen national capabilities to respond to a nuclear security event, the regulatory body coordinates with other competent government agencies through the Radiological Emergency Safety Commission (CONSER) [5].
REFERENCES
[1] Regulations for the physical protection of nuclear facilities and material. Decree 87 of 1985, Ministry of Mining, Chile.
[2] Regulations for the physical protection of radioactive materials in first category radioactive facilities. Decree 82 of 2020, Ministry of Energy, Chile.
[3] Code of conduct on the safety and secure of radioactive sources. International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, 2004.
[4] Safety and security culture in organizations, facilities and activities with radiation sources. Ibero-American Forum of Radiological and Nuclear Regulatory Agencies, 2015.
| Country OR Intl. Organization | CHILE |
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