WHAT IS A REGULATORY INSPECTION?
An examination, observation, measurement or test undertaken by or on behalf of the regulatory authority to assess structures, systems, components and materials, as well as operating activities, technical and organizational processes,
procedures and personnel competence.
Objective of a regulatory inspection
Ensure compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements on radiological and nuclear safety, nuclear security and safeguards.
Legislative framework related to inspection :
Article 78(1) of Law No. 2019/012 of July 19, 2019, establishing the general framework for radiological and nuclear safety, nuclear security, civil liability, and the implementation of safeguards.
Types of inspection
Pre-licensing inspection
Inspections carried out before the plant is commissioned, to ensure that it complies with all licensing conditions before operations begin.
Routine or Periodic inspection
Planned inspections carried out in already licensed facilities, according to a predefined periodicity.
Unannounced or Reactive Inspection
Inspections carried out when deemed necessary by the authorities, or in the event of an incident or accident
End-of-operations inspection
Inspections carried out following cessation of activity or cancellation of authorization, to verify certain information independently, such as confirmation that sources have been removed, signs have been posted and premises are not contaminated.
Inspection practice and frequency
Medical Facilities
Radiotherapy (1 year)
Industrial radiography (1 year)
Nuclear medicine (1 year)
Facilities housing nuclear materials (Uranium, Plutonium, Thorium, etc) (1 year)
(Uranium, Plutonium, Thorium, etc.) (1 an)
Transport (1 an)
Nuclear gauges (1–2 years)
Logging (1–2 years)
Radiodiagnostics (1–5 years)
Facilities housing nuclear materials (Uranium, Plutonium, Thorium, etc) (1 year)
(Uranium, Plutonium, Thorium) (1 an)
Obligations of the authorisation holder relating to the inspection of unauthorised sources of ionising radiation
- The authorization holder shall grant inspectors free access to his facility
- The authorization holder may not refuse inspectors access to his facility, on pain of the penalties provided for by the provisions of the present law;
- Each inspection or refusal of inspection is the subject of a report kept and archived by the authority responsible for regulation and regulatory control.