The Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management is the only legally binding global instrument addressing the safety of spent fuel and radioactive waste from generation to disposal. Every three years, Review Meetings provide an opportunity for Contracting Parties to present and discuss their National Reports on implementing the Convention’s obligations and addressing associated challenges. This year’s Review Meeting, held at the International Atomic Energy Agency headquarters from March 17 to 28, gathered over 1,000 delegates from 77 countries. The Armenian delegation included representatives from the Armenian Nuclear Regulatory Authority, the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant, and the Office of the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Armenia in Austria. The NRSC played an active role in preparing and submitting Armenia’s National Report and addressing questions from other Contracting Parties. A key challenge highlighted in Armenia’s previous National Reports has been the slow progress in establishing a Centralized Radioactive Waste Management Organization (National Operator)to oversee the long-term management of all radioactive waste in the country. This year, Armenia’s report received 50 questions, with approximately 70% focusing on the long-term management of radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel, particularly regarding the creation of the National Operator. Discussions also emphasized the role of the National Operator in developing a safe, secure, and sustainable infrastructure for long-term radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel management. Addressing these challenges is crucial not only for ensuring current safety and security but also for preventing undue burdens on future generations, a core requirement of the Joint Convention.
As part of the IAEA technical support project for Turkmenistan, NRSC conducted an expert mission at the Central Chemical Radiometric Laboratory of the Civil Defense and Rescue Operations Directorate of Turkmenistan. The mission, led by Arpi Khachatryan, a leading specialist in Radiation Safety at NRSC, aimed to enhance occupational radiation protection, dosimetry, and calibration services in the Republic of Turkmenistan, following IAEA guidelines. The mission aimed first to strengthen the knowledge in radiation protection: to provide an in-depth overview of IAEA GSR Part 3 and GSG-7 recommendations on occupational radiation protection, emphasising external personal monitoring, dose assessment methodologies, and measurement techniques. Another goal was to improve dosimetry practices by reviewing Armenia’s experience, identifying strengths and areas for improvement, and ensuring that QA/QC processes align with international standards for accuracy and reliability. To enhance dosimetry System Operation, Armenian specialist offered a detailed overview of the Harshaw 6600 Lite System, including its components such as TLD 100 Dosimeters, calibration methodologies, and testing procedures to ensure proper functioning and maintenance of dosimetric equipment. Special attention was paid to Calibration Procedures: guiding the development of standard calibration procedures for dosimeter irradiation and reader calibration, ensuring traceability and consistency in dose measurements. NRSC expert also assisted their Turkmen colleagues in refining data reporting methodologies, introducing improved data recording and reporting practices aligned with international standards. Local laboratory personnel received hands-on training in WINREMS software for calibration and data acquisition, as well as in annealing and irradiation techniques, dosimeter reading, and calibration processes. The training also covered Cs-137 use for external irradiation and reader calibration. The NRSC remains committed to supporting international collaboration and capacity-building efforts to enhance radiation safety in alignment with global standards.
NRSC specialists Satine Vardanyan and Karen Haroyan attended the 37th Annual Regulatory Information Conference in Washington, D.C. In addition to participating in the conference, the Armenian delegation held high-level meetings with the newly appointed Chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (US NRC), David A. Wright, as well as Commissioners Christopher T. Hanson and Matthew J. Marzano. Key discussion topics included the operational life extension of the Armenian NPP’s 2nd Unit, future decommissioning plans, spent nuclear fuel management, and the construction of new nuclear reactors in Armenia. The delegation also addressed the need to enhance the training and capabilities of NRSC staff. Armenian specialists provided insights into the current state of nuclear safety in Armenia, outlining challenges and potential solutions. NRC Chairman David A. Wright and the commissioners reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Armenia’s nuclear safety efforts, particularly in regulatory and defence areas. Discussions focused on strategies to overcome current challenges, strengthen personnel training, and modernise the regulatory framework. NRC officials also invited Armenian specialists to participate in the review and analysis of design documents for small modular reactors. Satine Vardanyan and Karen Haroyan met with American colleagues from Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) and Advanced Systems Technology and Management, Inc. (AdSTM) to explore opportunities for further cooperation, specialised training programs, and professional development initiatives for NRSC staff. NRSC values such engagements, recognising their crucial role in strengthening international collaboration and enhancing Armenia’s nuclear energy regulatory capabilities.
The use of nuclear technologies for peaceful purposes has always been encouraged in Armenia, both during the Soviet era and now. Since the 1950s, Armenia has been effectively using this technology in a wide range of fields, such as energy, medicine, agriculture, industry and scientific research. Despite its advantages, the generated radioactive waste management is a significant challenge requiring an integrated approach to ensure both safety and sustainability. The Government of the Republic of Armenia considers the use of nuclear energy and technologies to be one of the pivotal elements of economic development. Accordingly, the Government is conducting studies on the construction of new nuclear power plants, considering both high-power reactors, and small-power and modular reactors, taking into account economic, infrastructural and compatibility with the energy system of Armenia. In the Republic of Armenia, the largest amount of radioactive waste is generated as a result of the Armenian NPP operation, and will also be generated during the decommissioning of the NPP. A relatively small amount of radioactive waste (institutional-type waste) is generated also from non-nuclear applications, such as science, industry, healthcare and other sectors. Radioactive waste generated during the operation of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant and expected after its decommissioning, as well as institutional-type waste, requires safe and effective management to avoid long-term environmental risks and not leave an unnecessary burden on future generations. Thus, it is necessary to create a safe, reliable and flexible system for managing all types of radioactive waste accumulated and to be generated in the country, which will require the development and upgrade of the necessary infrastructure for long-term and safe management of radioactive waste, including the creation of a comprehensive legal framework. The Republic of Armenia has developed a Strategy for the Safe Management of Radioactive Waste, which includes: • Establishment of a National Operator, a body under the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, responsible for long-term management of radioactive waste; • Introduction and implementation of the “polluter pays” principle, creation of a special “off-budget” account; • Implementation of measures to keep the generation of radioactive waste at the lowest possible level, as well as strengthening the control over it; • Study of the possibility of disposing of the radioactive waste in geological formations; • Improvement of the system for the processing and storage of radioactive waste, personnel training and development/upgrade of radioactive waste electronic recording system. For the implementation of the provisions stipulated in the strategy, a working group comprised of professionals specialised in radioactive waste management was formed by the Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, in 2020. The aim of the group is to facilitate the implementation of the Strategy provisions for the Safe Management of Radioactive Waste in the Republic of Armenia. Work has begun on upgrading radioactive waste management systems at the Armenian NPP, as well as improving the overall legislative framework. The establishment of a National Waste Management Operator is of vital importance. NATIONAL OPERATOR Many countries operating nuclear power plants (e.g. Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Bulgaria, France, etc.) have a special organisation, the National Operator, which deals with the radioactive waste long-term and sustainable management related issues. The National Operator coordinates and organises the collection of financial resources necessary for the management of radioactive waste, scientific and investment work activities, human resources management and recruiting, construction of various radioactive waste management facilities, etc. In different international platforms (IAEA), the Republic of Armenia is asked regarding steps aimed at organizing the long-term and sustainable radioactive waste management system in the Republic of Armenia. This is also a request from the Conventions ratified by the Republic of Armenia and the IAEA safety standards. Therefore, the creation of a National Operator is a necessary and priority step that should be implemented by the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, contributing towards having the long-term safe management system of existing and emerging radioactive waste in Armenia, as well as meeting the requirements of international conventions, IAEA safety standards, relevant EU directives, and regulatory requirements in force in the Republic of Armenia.
A technical meeting organized by the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Center and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory was held in Yerevan. The meeting aimed at presenting interested parties with the progress of preparatory work related to the removal of high-activity radioactive sources and transfer to the storage facility. High-activity radioactive sources have been in Armenia since the Soviet era and are no longer in use. For decades, they have been stored in a bunker at a scientific research institute, but now there is a need to move them to a safer storage facility. Armenia lacks experience in this area. For the first time, the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Center has developed a plan for their removal and transportation from the bunker in compliance with the highest safety standards. The Center is cooperating with a specialized US laboratory, whose specialists were invited to Armenia to discuss the program. The preparatory stage includes a thorough inspection of the site, an assessment of the necessary materials and equipment, as well as a detailed development of a safety plan. It is essential to minimize risks to the personnel involved, the public, and the environment throughout the process. The meeting was attended by representatives of the National Security Service, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant, the Nuclear Safety Regulatory Committee of the Republic of Armenia, Radioactive Waste Storage CJSC(RADON), as well as specialists from the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Center. This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to ensure global nuclear safety, security and responsible management of radioactive materials. Both Armenia and the United States emphasize the importance of international cooperation in reducing nuclear risks.
The International Conference on Enhancing Nuclear Safety and Security Through Technical and Scientific Support Organizations (TSOs): Challenges and Opportunities in a Rapidly Changing World was hosted at the Headquarters in Vienna from 2-6 December 2024. It brought together experts from all over the world to exchange the best practices and enhance the technical and scientific capacities of TSOs to enhance and promote their potential contribution to the nuclear and radiation safety and security of facilities and activities. The special session was devoted to the IAEA-developed TSO Self-Capability Assessment Methodology aimed to assess and further develop the TSO scientific and technical capabilities, and evaluate how these are developed, sustained and applied in regulatory functions. The tool is of high interest for the TSOs worldwide and many Member States expressed their desire to implement it in their TSOs. In 2024 TSO self-assessment with the TOSCA toll was concluded in 2 countries – Armenia and Ghana. NRSC representative Marina Simonyan participated in the special session. She shared with the participants the company’s experience of conducting self-assessment with the IAEA-developed tool. The results of the self-assessment were discussed with the IAEA expert team during the National Workshop held in Armenia on 19-21 November 2024 and summarized in the recommendations, which will serve as a basis to develop an “Action plan” for their implementation.
On November 19-21, 2024, the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Center together with the Nuclear Safety Regulatory Committee hosted the expert team of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) within the framework of the national workshop held in Armenia․ The purpose of the workshop was to get acquainted with the process of applying the TOSCA tool for self-assessment and its results․ The Center presented the results of its self-assessment and SWOT analysis to IAEA experts. The results of further discussions and analyses were summarized in the report of recommendations and findings published by the IAEA expert group, which will later serve as the basis for the development of the Action Plan. The experience of the Center for the application of the TOSCA tool will be presented at the IAEA during the international conference, which will take place on December 2-6, in Vienna/ Austria.
Armenian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (ANRA) hosted the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority representatives. The guests together with experts of the ANRA and Nuclear and Radiation Safety Center will visit the ANPP, «Radioactive Waste Storage Facility» CJSC, and some healthcare organizations providing radiation therapy. As a result of the visit, a Memorandum of cooperation and mutual understanding between the regulatory bodies of Armenia and Sweden will be prepared. «Nuclear and Radiation Safety Center» CJSC will cooperate with the Swedish Regulatory Authority in the areas of radioactive waste management, nuclear medicine, and radiation therapy, as well as training and retraining of specialists.
Leading specialist on radiation safety from NRSC Arpi Khachatryan participated in the Technical Meeting held in Vienna, where a discussion was held on the potential effects of introducing new operational quantities and units of external radiation measurements, presented in the 95th Report of the Implications of the International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements (ICRU). Issues discussed included the benefits of introducing new metrics, implementation challenges, and the time needed to adopt them. In her speech, Arpi Khachatryan referred to the challenges in the field of radiation safety that small countries like Armenia face. NRSC continues its active participation in international discussions and is committed to being an active player in supporting the development of radiation protection standards.
Representative of NRSC participated in the international workshop regarding the exchange of experiences on the topics of Radioactive Waste Management and the handling of orphan radioactive sources for the countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The workshop was part of the project “Support of the BMUV within the Framework of International Cooperation in the Field of Radioactive Waste Management in Eastern Europe” with the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz, Nukleare Sicherheit und Verbraucherschutz, BMUV). During the workshop, the NRSC representative presented a report on the Armenian experience in the detection and handling of radioactive sources.
