The Nuclear and Radiation Safety Centre (NRSC) has successfully carried out the safe removal, transportation, and long-term storage of a disused high-activity cobalt-60 (Co-60) teletherapy source from the National Centre for Oncology named after V. A. Fanarjyan. NRSC specialists led the operation, ensuring comprehensive planning and coordination, radiation safety oversight, regulatory compliance, and full documentation throughout all phases of the process. The activity was implemented within the framework of international cooperation aimed at reducing radiological risks and strengthening the secure management of high-activity radioactive sources. The disused teletherapy head was safely dismantled, handled, securely packaged, and transported under enhanced physical protection measures to the facilities of “Radioactive Waste Management” CJSC, where it was placed into long-term storage. Radiation monitoring conducted before, during, and after the operation confirmed the absence of radiological contamination and demonstrated that occupational exposure levels remained well below established regulatory limits. The operation was carried out through close coordination among the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Centre, the Armenian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (ANRA), “Radioactive Waste Management” CJSC, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, and partners from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Radiological Security. This successful operation highlights NRSC’s central role in ensuring nuclear and radiological safety in Armenia and contributes to the mitigation of potential radiological hazards through the safe and secure management of radioactive sources.
As previously reported, the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Centre, with the support of European and American partners, has transported 40 high-activity radioactive sources from the Ashtarak Institute of Physical Research to the storage facilities of the “Radioactive Waste Management” CJSC.The process was organised in accordance with international safety standards, ensuring the safe collection, packaging and transportation of the sources.This initiative is another important step in improving Armenia’s radiation safety and applying international best practices. Watch the report by Armenian Public TV.
NRSC specialists transferred 40 cobalt-60 (Co-60) radioisotopic sources from the Institute for Physical Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia to the Radioactive Waste Management CJSC for secure storage. Representatives of the Nuclear Regulatory Authority, as well as the relevant departments of the National Security Service and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, also took part in the operation. High-activity radioactive sources dating back to the Soviet era had long been stored in a bunker at the Institute for Physical Research. As they were no longer in use, it became necessary to move them to a safe storage facility. This was the first operation of its kind ever carried out in Armenia. The Nuclear and Radiation Safety Centre developed a comprehensive plan for removing the sources from the bunker and transporting them in compliance with the highest safety standards. The NRSC worked in cooperation with the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, whose experts were invited to Armenia to provide technical review and consultation. An important partner in the operation was the Institute of Isotopes (Hungary), whose specialists designed and manufactured the special loading/storage container used for the Co-60 sources. Hungarian experts participated directly in the removal activities, working alongside NRSC professionals to ensure the safe packaging, handling, and transfer of the radioactive materials. Preparatory work included a detailed site inspection, assessment of required materials and equipment, and development of a detailed safety plan. Particular attention was paid to minimising risks during the removal process — both for personnel and for the environment. The operation aimed to reduce potential radiation risks and ensure the protection of the local population and the environment. All activities were carried out in accordance with international safety standards, fully meeting technical and environmental requirements. This initiative marks an important step toward strengthening public safety and expanding international cooperation in the nuclear field.
Specialists from the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Centre (NRSC) participated in the 66th Annual Meeting of the Institute of Nuclear Materials Management (INMM), held on August 24–28, 2025, in Washington, D.C. The international gathering brought together more than 600 nuclear professionals—policymakers, scientists, regulators, and engineers—from around the world to discuss innovations and challenges in the safe, secure, and effective management of nuclear and radioactive materials. During the event, NRSC experts delivered two technical presentations. Ms. Arpi Khachatryan presented “Development and Assessment of Packaging Design for the Safe Dismantlement, Transportation, and Storage of High-Activity Radioactive Sources from an Irradiator Facility.” Her talk highlighted Armenia’s successful work on the removal of disused Co-60 sources from the K-120000 irradiator. She presented an innovative packaging solution, developed in collaboration with partners from Hungary and the Czech Republic, which ensures safe and compliant transport to Armenia’s national storage facility. Mr. Karen Haroyan presented a “Case Study on a Radiation Emergency in Armenia with Significant Contamination and Radiological Consequences.” He reviewed the 2009 incident detected at the Armenian-Georgian border, detailing the multi-agency emergency response, radiological assessment, and subsequent recovery operations. The case study underscored the importance of coordinated response mechanisms and highlighted the regulatory improvements introduced in Armenia since the incident. NRSC’s participation at INMM 2025 reaffirms Armenia’s commitment to international cooperation, regulatory advancement, and the continuous enhancement of nuclear and radiation safety practices. The conference also provided a valuable platform for exchanging technical expertise, exploring emerging technologies, and engaging with the global nuclear security community.
Specialists from Armenia’s Nuclear and Radiation Safety Center (NRSC) participated in the Nuclear Forensics Technical Exchange, held on August 20–22 at Argonne National Laboratory, in Lemont, (Illinois, the US). The international event brought together experts to discuss radioactive source registries, field data collection, and the development of National Nuclear Forensics Libraries (NNFLs). Armenia was represented by Ms. Arpi Khachatryan, Mr. Karen Haroyan, and Ms. Anahit Petoyan. During the program, Ms. Petoyan, a PhD student at NRSC, delivered a presentation titled “Towards Accurate Quantification of Non-Homogeneous Swipe Samples in Gamma Spectrometry.” Her research addressed challenges in analyzing heterogeneous contamination and proposed methods to improve measurement accuracy in nuclear forensics investigations. The program combined theoretical discussions—such as the expansion of the xARIS platform developed by NRSC and the outcomes of the ISTC cooperation project—with hands-on sessions using Argonne’s NNFL toolkit, field detection instruments, and integrated registry software. Such exchange of experience is an important step in developing nuclear forensics capabilities in Armenia, contributing to the creation of a National Nuclear Forensic Library.
Nuclear infrastructure is a target for cyberattacks because it relies on digital systems. Hacktivists, cybercriminals, and terrorists are all potential threats to nuclear power plant security. Risks can also arise from outdated systems, poor maintenance, and weak security practices. From September 15 to 18, 2025, a nuclear cybersecurity workshop was held in Yerevan, jointly organised by the Armenian Nuclear Regulatory Committee, the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Centre, and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The workshop brought together national and international experts with the aim of enhancing cybersecurity in the nuclear sector, promoting knowledge exchange, and supporting collaboration to ensure a more secure and resilient nuclear infrastructure. Participants included representatives from the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant CJSC, Radioactive Waste Management (RADON) CJSC, as well as from the National Security Service, the Ministry of Defence, and the State Revenue Committee of the Republic of Armenia. Such initiatives are important not only for developing technical capacities but also for fostering coordinated collaboration among various governmental and private-sector stakeholders. Ensuring the cybersecurity of nuclear infrastructure requires a unified approach, up-to-date solutions, and continuous training. As a result of the workshop, the parties agreed to continue sharing experience and strengthening professional cooperation aimed at enhancing national capabilities and integrating international best practices into Armenia’s nuclear sector.
Satine Vardanyan, Leading Specialist of the Radiological Laboratory of the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Centre, participated in the Technical Meeting of the Disused Sealed Radioactive Sources Network (DSRS-Net) organised by the IAEA. The purpose of this meeting was to promote international cooperation in the field of safe management of disused sealed radioactive sources (DSRS) among member states. During the meeting, both the organisers and participants delivered presentations, sharing their experiences in DSRS management. IAEA experts presented the ongoing programs in this field, professional forums and platforms, as well as various IAEA electronic tools (eTools) developed to support member states in strengthening their capacities in this area. More detailed information was provided on the different professional forums included in the IAEA Network. They aim to create a joint platform for member states, where national capabilities and experiences in the field can be presented and shared, problematic issues discussed, and international best practices explored in collaboration with experts from other countries as well as relevant IAEA specialists. Through these platforms, member states can also access IAEA support within the framework of various programs. The forums are intended to bring together experts, regulatory bodies, operators, and research institutions, thereby fostering knowledge exchange and the application of international best practices. The representative of the NRSC presented Armenia’s experience and professional potential in the management of disused sealed radioactive sources. Such meetings are important as they contribute to cooperation with international experts, knowledge sharing, discussions, and the creation of opportunities for joint initiatives. For Armenia, these opportunities are especially important, as the country has accumulated spent nuclear fuel over the years, for which urgent steps are required to ensure long-term and safe management.
The Nuclear and Radiation Safety Centre conducted a training course titled “Radiation Protection and the Safe Use of Radioactive Sources.” The course was attended by nine employees from the Field Experimental Laboratory of the Engineering and Technical Centre of Gazprom Armenia CJSC. The participants were introduced to key principles of radiation safety, including the safe handling of radioactive materials, radiation monitoring techniques, and the proper use of personal protective equipment. The training was specifically designed for professionals involved in the import, export, production, use, transportation, or storage of ionising radiation sources or radiation-generating devices across various sectors, including industry, agriculture, scientific research, and education. The training covered the following topics: After the course, each participant received a certificate recognising their knowledge and skills in radiation protection and the safe use of radioactive sources. NRSC continues to implement similar training initiatives aimed at enhancing professional qualifications and reinforcing radiation safety standards throughout Armenia.
The Nuclear and Radiation Safety Centre, in cooperation with Radioactive Waste Management CJSC, is carrying out the removal and neutralisation of radioactive sources found in Soviet-era smoke detectors. These efforts aim to ensure the long-term and safe storage of such materials. During the Soviet period, smoke detectors containing radioactive isotopes were widely used across Armenia. In recent years, as part of several international assistance programs, the NRSC has identified and removed many of these devices from the premises of various Armenian organisations. The recovered detectors have been transferred to a secure storage facility. NRSC specialists carefully extract the radioactive sources from these detectors and place them into specialised containers designed for long-term safe storage. Organisations that may still have old smoke detectors on their premises are encouraged to contact the NRSC to ensure proper removal and handling. Tel: 010541719
NRSC specialists Satine Vardanyan and Karen Haroyan, as well as colleagues from the Armenian Nuclear Regulatory Authority and Radioactive Waste Disposal CJSC, visited Sweden to explore the country’s best practices in managing radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel. As Armenia prepares to extend the operational life of the 2nd unit of the Armenian NPP, eventually decommission the current reactor, harmonise its regulatory framework with EU directives, modernise radioactive waste infrastructure, and establish a “National operator” for radioactive waste management, studying international experience has become essential. During the meetings, the Swedish specialists presented the country’s nuclear and radioactive waste management program, legal framework, licensing and inspection procedures. Sweden has one of the most effective and transparent radioactive waste management systems in the world, operating through the combined efforts of state oversight and private sector involvement. The Armenian delegation visited key institutions, including AB Svafo and Cyclife Sweden AB in Studsvik, as well as several SKB facilities in Oskarshamn. A key element of Sweden’s model is its Nuclear Waste Fund, financed by fees from waste generators and electricity producers. Established in the 1980s, the fund guarantees long-term financial sustainability and safety. This visit offered valuable opportunities for knowledge exchange, exposure to modern waste management approaches, and the initiation of future cooperation. It also laid the groundwork for a GAP analysis and a roadmap assessing and improving Armenia’s radioactive waste management infrastructure.
