FANR Reviews Barakah Progress, Approves New Radioactive Waste Regulation

The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation, FANR, management board has reviewed the 2020 Operational Plan blueprint that details key activities supporting the Authority's mission to regulate the nuclear industry in the UAE

ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 26th Mar, 2019) The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation, FANR, management board has reviewed the 2020 Operational Plan blueprint that details key activities supporting the Authority's mission to regulate the nuclear industry in the UAE.

The Board learned about latest updates of the FANR ongoing review of the Operating License Application for Units 1 and 2 at the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in Al Dhafra as well as all relevant inspection activities to ensure implementation of FANR’s safety, security and safeguards requirements. Reviewing the Operating License Application of Barakah Nuclear Power Plant is a key priority for FANR’s Board of Management to ensure that it meets all regulatory requirements.

Members of the Board also approved the newly drafted Regulation 27 on Disposal of Spent Fuel and Radioactive Waste, which is based on the UAE Nuclear Law that stipulates the need for regulations addressing spent fuel and radioactive waste to protect the public from any radiation hazards.

It also approved a Licence for the Operation of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material, NORM, Facilities submitted by the Abu Dhabi Oil Refining Company, Takreer, for the NORM Waste Treatment Facility and Norm Waste Disposal Facility.

NORM is referred to the natural radioactive elements that are present in very low concentrations in Earth's crust, and are brought to the surface through human activities such as oil and gas exploration or mining.

On the margins of the Board of Management meeting, the Members attended the awarding of FANR the ISO 9001:2015 Certification for Quality Management System. The certification has been obtained for the scope of the regulation and management of services related to the nuclear sector in the United Arab Emirates including licencing, compliance monitoring for safety, security, safeguards and radiation protection, and the provision of services related to the radiation protection infrastructure.

The ISO 9001:2015 ensures that an organisation demonstrates its effectiveness and ability to improve services that meet customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements, and aims to enhance customer satisfaction through the effective application of the system including processes improvement.