- Status
- Closed
Background
The cooperation project consisted of 6 tasks. The project was refitted in order to take into account the nuclear policy changes in Vietnam. In effect, on 23 November 2016, VARANS had informed the EC and RISKAUDIT on the Vietnamese government’s (National Assembly of Vietnam) Resolution no. 31 which suspended the Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Plant construction. In particular, the impact of this resolution was analysed and VARANS expressed a strong interest to continue this INSC project as planned and the project progressed along the lines of the original intended scope, but taking into account this decision.
TASK 1: FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE LEGAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR NUCLEAR SAFETY IN VIETNAM
The activities of this task were implemented with some adjustment for taking into account the Resolution no. 31 of the Vietnamese government suspending the NPP.
Regulations not related to NPP´s but to other nuclear installation, especially research reactors were considered. Moreover, the scope and objective of regulations and guides for emergency preparedness in the current national context, considering the construction of the Chinese NPP near the border was addressed.
On-the-Job training for two VARANS staff was prepared and performed from 2nd to 13 July 2018 in Berlin /Germany to improve the knowledge in the European approach to develop and implement safety criteria for the design of research reactors.
Selected draft chapters of the new Vietnamese Atomic Energy Act, which was under preparation, were discussed as well as documents needed for setting safety requirements for the new research reactor.
TASK 2: FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF A QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR USE BY VARANS IN THE REGULATION OF NUCLEAR INSTALLATIONS
Activities included training on the description of the regulatory process related to internal procedures and their application for licensing, review and assessment, inspection and enforcement and several workshops, concerning the core processes and the overall structure of QMS of VARANS.
TASK 3: FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF CAPABILITIES WITHIN VARANS FOR UNDERTAKING AND/OR COMMISSIONING INDEPENDENT REVIEWS AND ASSESSMENTS OF SAFETY SUBMISSIONS
Prior to the Resolution no. 31, several activities related to site selection and characterisation and qualification of SSC’s were performed.
After the Resolution no. 31 OJT for inspection of inspection of research reactors and inspection of waste management facilities was organised.
Furthermore the capacities related to accident analysis of research reactors and to the decommissioning of the research reactor were addressed in workshops
an OJT on dispersion calculation of radioactive material through marine environment of a duration of two months for one person.
A Workshop on radiation monitoring and early notification network in Europe.Another workshop and OJT on waste management of nuclear facilities.
TASK 4: HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT
A workshop was held addressing the “improving processes and practices of the competence management system of the regulatory body”. A study-visit from 10 to 12 May 2017 in Brussels at Bel V and from 15 to 16 May 2017 in Helsinki at STUK. A workshop concerning the review of HRDP (Human Resources Development Plan) and other VARANS documents was included.
TASK 5: NUCLEAR SAFEGUARDS
A first training presented a state-of-the-art state system of accounting for and control of nuclear material (SSAC). The SSAC training included an introduction to and discussion about developing an SSAC structure and its processes. One VARANS trainee participated in the 16th ESARDA COURSE on Nuclear Safeguards and Non-Proliferation on 3-7 April 2017.
A five-day technical methods training was organised in Finland from 25 to 27 October 2017 and Italy from 30 to 31 October 2017 to provide four VARANS staff information on technical methods used in safeguards by the IAEA and an SSAC. This training provided information on non-destructive testing and laboratory analysis techniques for safeguards.
TASK 6: TRANSPARENCY AND PUBLIC INFORMATION
The first workshop in this task was performed before the Vietnamese government’s decision, i.e. on 17 to 21 October 2016 in Hanoi, Vietnam. Discussions focused on EP&R related to NPPs and waste storage/disposal facilities. After the resolution no. 31 the activities focused on other nuclear facilities and communication responsibilities of the regulatory authority.
A training and tutoring and study visit was performed on 11-13 October 2017 in Finland and on 16-18 October 2017 in France, related to concrete case studies and the discussion with stakeholders.
Another workshop was held from 5 to 9 November 2018 was devoted to help VARANS in building its own communication strategy by using the strategy used in Europe.