IAEA Completes International Physical Protection Advisory Service Mission in Romania

An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team of experts today completed an International Physical Protection Advisory Service (IPPAS) mission in Romania, https://www.iaea.org/ informs.   The IPPAS mission was conducted from 2 to 13 December and was hosted by Romania’s National Commission for Nuclear Activities Control (CNCAN). The ten-person team evaluated the country’s nuclear security regime for nuclear material and nuclear facilities. The scope of the mission also included reviews of physical protection and computer security measures in nuclear facilities, and physical protection during transportation of nuclear material.   As part of the review, the IPPAS team visited the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant and the Pitesti Nuclear Fuel Plant in Mioveni. Romania operates two nuclear power units at Cernavoda, which supplied about 19 per cent of the country’s total energy in 2023. Romania is also planning to expand its nuclear power programme.   This is the fourth IPPAS mission to Romania, with the previous missions taking place in 1997, 2002 and 2012. Romania ratified the 2005 Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (A/CPPNM) in 2007. This Amendment significantly enhances the original CPPNM by broadening its scope and establishing obligations for Parties to ensure the physical protection of all nuclear facilities and nuclear material used for peaceful purposes, whether in domestic use, storage or transport.   The IPPAS team included experts from Canada, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Lithuania, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, as well as one IAEA staff member. Nancy Fragoyannis, Senior Level Advisor for Nonproliferation and International Nuclear Security in the Office of International Programs of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, led the team. “One of the benefits of hosting an IPPAS mission is to engage with the international team of experts and share experiences and good practices from their respective security programmes. Hosting the fourth IPPAS mission is a strong indicator from Romania of their willingness to continuously assess its nuclear security regime,” she said. The team held discussions with officials from CNCAN, General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations, Ministry of Defence, Romanian Gendarmerie, Romanian Intelligence Service, Romanian Police and Nuclearelectrica.   The team commended Romania for its comprehensive efforts to enhance its nuclear security regime and effective collaboration among different competent authorities in nuclear security. The team also recognized the enhancement of nuclear security measures in Romanian nuclear facilities. They provided recommendations and suggestions to support Romania in enhancing and sustaining nuclear security. Good practices were identified that can serve as examples to other IAEA Member States to help strengthen their nuclear security activities.   “Evolving threats and a changing security situation internationally require vigilance from countries to prevent, detect and respond to malicious acts,” said Elena Buglova, Director of the IAEA Division of Nuclear Security. “Romania’s continued efforts to strengthen physical protection and computer security in critical national infrastructure are important and contribute to maintaining the highest levels of nuclear security.”   Cantemir Ciurea Ercau, President of CNCAN, said, "I would like to express our gratitude to the IPPAS mission team for their detailed analysis and the professionalism demonstrated during this intensive review period. The recommendations and suggestions provided through this mission are of utmost importance for strengthening Romania's nuclear security regime. CNCAN is committed to implementing the necessary measures to address these recommendations and to continuing our efforts to improve the physical protection of nuclear and radioactive materials, as well as associated facilities. This mission underscores our commitment to collaboration with the international community to ensure the highest standards of nuclear security."   Background   The mission was the 108th IPPAS mission conducted by the IAEA since the programme began in 1995.   IPPAS missions are intended to assist States in strengthening their national nuclear security regime. The missions provide peer advice on implementing international instruments, along with IAEA guidance on the protection of nuclear and other radioactive material and associated facilities.   During missions, a team of international experts observes a nation's system of physical protection, compares it with international good practices and makes recommendations for improvement. IPPAS missions are conducted both on a nationwide and facility-specific basis.