As part of measures to review and assess the capacity of entities operating in the Exclusion Zone, the SNRIU conducted a meeting with representatives of the Centralized Radioactive Management Enterprise (CRME) and the Ukrainian State Agency for Exclusion Zone Management (SAEZM) on 13 May 2022.

The CRME capacity to comply with acting licensing conditions of the enterprise, meeting legislation requirements, rules and standards on nuclear and radiation safety have been addressed in detail.

The SNRIU provided clarifications to the licensee and the public administration authority on the necessary actions to be taken by the CRME in connection with the SNRIU decision to suspend the licenses to ensure the safety of facilities, public and the environment protection in the conditions established in the Exclusion Zone as a result of occupation by the russian military.

The SNRIU Acting Chairman Oleh KORIKOV noted that the SNRIU decision to temporarily suspend licenses does not terminate or “paralyze” the enterprise activity, and aims to ensure a planned, step-by-step return to the conditions of licensed activities in compliance with all nuclear and radiation safety requirements and licensing conditions. He noted that in overcoming the consequences of the Exclusion Zone occupation, special attention should be paid to unconditional compliance with the requirements of legislation, nuclear and radiation safety rules and standards.

Detailed analysis of compliance with terms and conditions of current licenses conducted by state SNRIU inspectors and presented during the meeting, demonstrates that the company has a significant scope of unfulfilled measures concerning development of safety justifications for Radwaste management facilities, development of design, technical and licensing documentation, considering state NRS review conclusions, which obstructs further efficient Radwaste management activities. However, the temporarily suspension of the license does not affect the implementation of these important measures. 

The management of the operating organization and SAEZM assured that they are currently taking all possible measures to inspect facilities and territories, determine the state of systems and equipment important to safety, protect personnel involved in ensuring safe state of facilities designed for safe Radwaste management.