Project VN3.01/09 Technical assitance for improving the legal framework for nuclear safety and strengthening the capabilities of the VARANS and its TSO

With the INSC instrument, the European Commission finances activities to promote a high level of nuclear safety, radiation protection and effective safeguards in all countries outside the European Union. One important component is the promotion and development of effective regulatory frameworks with support to the regulatory bodies and their Technical Support Organizations (TSOs).

The Vietnam Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety (VARANS) is the main organization responsible for national regulations and for the control of nuclear safety. Thus, it is recognized that, among the other preparatory steps required for the implementation of a nuclear power plant (NPP) project, one of the mandatory conditions for launching the pre-investment study is the timely establishment of an adequate legal framework.

However, the lack of an adequate national legal framework and the time required for its development may constitute a major constraint to the implementation of an NPP project in Vietnam and could effectively determine the schedule for the safe introduction of an NPP.

VARANS is a new organization having grown from about 8 professional staff in 2006 to about 80 in January 2011. The staff (with an average age of 31) has a high level of education but has little practical experience on nuclear safety or its regulation. VARANS is currently in the process of developing a national regulatory framework and this is placing major demands on its resources.

Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute (VAEI) is the implementing body in the framework for introduction of the first NPP in Vietnam. VAEI acts as Technical Support Organization (TSO) for both industry and the regulator, with appropriate safeguards being put in place to avoid conflict of interest. Although VAEI has a large number of qualified staff in nuclear engineering and possesses suitable tools for the assessment of nuclear safety, its expertise in review and assessment of NPPs is very limited, offering scope for valuable transfer of expertise.

The general objective of this project was the development and/or strengthening of the legal framework, managerial and technical capabilities of the Vietnam Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety VARANS and its local Technical Support Organisation VAEI.
The project had the following specific objectives:
• To support the development of the nuclear regulatory legislation,
• To strengthen managerial and technical capabilities for VARANS,
• Transfer knowledge so that VARANS could apply European good practices in its own work as appropriate (Ninh Thuan NPP Project).

The project consisted of following four technical tasks:

Task 1: Technical assistance for further development of the legal framework for nuclear safety in Vietnam
Task 2: Development of quality assurance system for assessment and verification of safety and regulatory oversight (internal regulatory guides and procedures)
Task 3: Increase national capabilities for independent review and assessment of safety submissions
Task 4: Human resource development plan and training program of the Regulatory Body

The results of the technical tasks are briefly summarised below.

TASK 1: TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR NUCLEAR SAFETY IN VIETNAM

This task consisted of training on regulatory framework and regulatory guidance, and developing regulatory guidance. Two training courses covered contents related to the legal and regulatory framework for oversight of the structure, interfaces and contents of the NPP. The training courses also addressed the main issues regarding the development of regulatory documents and technical standards. In this connection, the regulatory organisation in Vietnam against European practices, and the Vietnamese general regulations for oversight of NPP were discussed. In addition, three VARANS experts participated in the training course “Safety and Regulation of Nuclear Power Plants – Regulatory Project Management for A New Build”, held in Finland.
Assistance was given to develop regulations for construction license, and for the regulations of emergency response. One meeting was organised dedicated to public communication.

TASK 2: DEVELOPMENT OF QUALITY ASSURANCE SYSTEM FOR ASSESSMENT AND VERIFICATION OF SAFETY AND REGULATORY OVERSIGHT (INTERNAL REGULATORY GUIDES AND PROCEDURES)

A training course for safety review and assessment for issuing an NPP licence, including processes and procedures was organised. A meeting was held to review a general procedure describing the regulatory decision-making process for licensing a nuclear facility and issuing, amending, suspending and terminating licenses. In a second meeting, the VARANS procedures and guides describing the review and assessment process in all phases of installing and operating a nuclear installation were examined. A third meeting was held to review the VARANS procedures describing the steps for the preparation of an inspection, the conduct of inspections, and the preparation of inspection reports; examination of the procedures and guides describing the inspection process in all phases of installing and operating a nuclear installation.

Visits on quality management were also organised both in Helsinki and Brussels, and VARANS experts participated in a one-week course on “Legal and regulatory processes for Nuclear and Radiation Safety” in France.

TASK 3: INCREASE NATIONAL CAPABILITIES FOR INDEPENDENT REVIEW AND ASSESSMENT OF SAFETY SUBMISSIONS

In this task, on-the-job training was organised on practical evaluation of the content of the safety analysis report (SAR) and environmental impact assessment report (EIA) with reference to the Belene project of Bulgaria. Practical courses on specific SAR and EIA assessment methods were organised for VARANS and relevant organisation. Special trainings were provided on the use of computer codes for accident analysis, such as CATHARE, ATHLET, COCOSYS and ASTEC.

TASK 4: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND TRAINING PROGRAM OF THE REGULATORY BODY

In this task, meetings were held on the methodologies to elaborate and implement a training programme, and on discussion of draft documents on job descriptions, human resources and training of staff. A methodology used in Europe was applied to evaluate VARANS’ manpower needs in safety evaluation and inspections. Advice was provided on human resource and training plan development for VARANS up to 2020 and training programme for VARANS under the NPP project roadmap. Further, advice was given to Vietnamese Government on provision of financial and human resources for VARANS, including development of education system in universities specialising in nuclear technology and safety.