With the technical support of the NRSC, a workshop entitled “Nuclear Security Threat Assessment and Design Basis Threat Management” was held in Yerevan. The event was jointly organised by the Armenian Nuclear Regulatory Authority and Sandia National Laboratories, a division of the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration. The workshop brought together experts from the United States, as well as representatives of ANRA, the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Foreign Intelligence Service, the National Security Service, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the State Revenue Committee of the Republic of Armenia. The main objective of the workshop was to strengthen national capabilities in assessing nuclear security threats and developing Design Basis Threat (DBT)-based Physical Protection Systems (PPS) to ensure the safety and security of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant. During the workshop, participants examined current challenges related to protecting nuclear power plants against radiological sabotage, reviewed IAEA recommendations (guidelines NSS No. 13 on “Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and Nuclear Facilities” and NSS No. 10-G on “National Nuclear Security Threat Assessment and Design Basis Threats“), and discussed methodologies for evaluating the effectiveness of Physical Protection Systems. Key topics included: The workshop underscored the importance of close coordination among competent state authorities and nuclear facility operators in strengthening nuclear security, mitigating the risks of nuclear terrorism, and ensuring the safe, secure, and peaceful use of nuclear energy. The workshop reaffirmed the continued cooperation between Armenia and the United States in strengthening nuclear security in line with international standards and IAEA guidance.
The final meeting of the EU-funded project INSC/2024/436-156 “Nuclear Safety Regulatory Cooperation with the Armenian Regulator (ANRA)” was held in Yerevan. The meeting brought together representatives from ANRA, NRSC, the Government of the Republic of Armenia, and the international project consortium led by IDOM Consulting (Spain), with the participation of VTT (Finland), Bel V (Belgium), VUJE (Slovakia), and the Bulgarian Nuclear Regulatory Agency. Implemented from August 2024 to June 2026, the project aimed to strengthen Armenia’s nuclear and radiation safety regulatory framework, enhance regulatory review capabilities, and promote harmonisation with relevant Euratom Directives and WENRA Safety Reference Levels. During the meeting, participants reviewed the project’s key achievements and discussed the benefits, lessons learned, and opportunities for applying its results in future regulatory activities. The agenda was organised on a task-by-task basis. The respective task leaders presented project management, knowledge transfer, harmonisation of the Armenian regulatory framework with Euratom Directives and WENRA Levels, the review of Armenian NPP safety submissions, and activities related to radioactive waste management. The discussions highlighted the project’s significant contribution to strengthening Armenia’s regulatory infrastructure, enhancing the technical capabilities of ANRA and NRSC, and supporting the adoption of European and international good practices in nuclear and radiation safety regulation. The project has further strengthened cooperation between Armenian institutions and their European partners, providing a solid foundation for the national regulatory framework development and the implementation of the action plans and recommendations developed under the project.
A Technical Workshop was held in Armenia within the framework of the project “Nuclear Safety Regulatory Cooperation with the Armenian Regulator,” with the participation of experts from ANRA and NRSC, as well as the Consortium led by IDOM Consulting, Engineering, Architecture S.A.U. (Spain). The workshop aimed to review the progress of the ongoing projects, present the results of completed activities, and define next steps for implementation. During the event, participants presented and discussed action plans for the transposition of selected WENRA Safety Reference Levels and key Euratom Directives into Armenia’s legislative and regulatory framework. These included the Drinking Water Directive (Euratom 2013/51), the Basic Safety Standards (BSS) Directive (2013/59/Euratom), and Directive (2006/117/Euratom) on the supervision and control of shipments of radioactive waste and spent fuel. These approximation efforts are carried out in line with Armenia’s obligations under the EU–Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and the broader objective of systematically aligning national legislation with relevant EU requirements. In addition, the Consortium conducted and presented the results of a regulatory review of safety-related documentation, including the Level 2 Probabilistic Safety Assessment (PSA) for internal initiating events. The evaluation of seismic safety enhancement measures, the implementation of hydrogen passive autocatalytic recombiners, and the full-scope simulator were also presented and discussed in detail. The findings were reviewed jointly with ANRA and NRSC specialists, enabling in-depth technical exchange and clarification of key aspects related to safety improvements at the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant. The workshop contributed to strengthening the national regulatory framework, enhancing the technical expertise and analytical capacity of ANRA and NRSC specialists, and further aligning Armenia’s nuclear and radiation safety system with European and international standards.
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.
Although Iran’s nuclear facilities are not located near Armenia’s borders, a large-scale incident could potentially lead to the spread of radioactive substances, depending on wind patterns and the nature of the explosions. What monitoring capabilities does Armenia have? How is radiation monitored, where and how often does it take place, and what have recent measurements shown? Are there any risks for the population? These questions are addressed by Armen Amirjanyan, Director of the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Centre; Karen Haroyan, Senior Specialist at the Radiological Laboratory; and Khachatur Khachikyan, Acting Chairman of the Nuclear Safety Regulatory Committee of the Republic of Armenia.
The Nuclear and Radiation Safety Centre is proud to announce the release of xARIS Version 1.0, a groundbreaking upgrade to the Advanced Regulatory Information System (ARIS). Completely redesigned and reimagined, xARIS retains the powerful functionalities of ARIS v2.5 while introducing an enhanced user interface and two brand-new modules: OCCUDOSE and RADEVENTS. The new interface is sleek, modern, and user-friendly, improving navigation, accessibility, and task management for regulatory body professionals Module OCCUDOSE enables real-time monitoring and advanced analysis of occupational radiation doses. It is a vital tool for tracking worker exposures and ensuring safety standards are met. Module RADEVENTS provides a structured platform for managing radiation and security-related events, enhancing reporting, documentation, and compliance tracking. xARIS builds upon user feedback to enhance existing functionalities with more customisation options, streamlined workflows, and improved data management. Six interconnected modules, RASOD, Licensee, Authorisation, Inspection, Occudose, and Radevents, work together to provide a comprehensive digital solution for regulatory operations. xAris includes flexible reporting, multilingual support, secure database backup and restore, role-based user management, and powerful statistical tools. Existing users can easily upgrade following the provided instructions or by contacting the support team. More about xARIS can be read here.
Representatives of the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Centre (NRSC) and the Armenian Nuclear Safety Regulatory Committee (ANRA) took part in the first technical meeting in Trnava (Slovakia). The meeting was held within the framework of an EU assistance project. During the visit, Armenian experts held a series of meetings and discussions with the Nuclear Regulatory Authority of Slovakia (UJD), as well as with representatives of key institutions in the nuclear field, VUJE and JAVYS. The discussions focused on Slovakia’s experience in managing radioactive waste, decommissioning of nuclear facilities, and aligning national legislation with EU Directives and the Safety Reference Levels established by WENRA. It is worth noting that Slovakia and Armenia operate similar VVER-type nuclear reactors. Such meetings are of great importance for Armenia, especially in the context of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed between Armenia and the European Union, which calls for alignment of Armenia’s legal and regulatory framework with selected EU Directives. The Nuclear and Radiation Safety Centre is actively contributing to this harmonisation process. To date, the NRSC has developed draft versions of the following key documents: “Safety Requirements for Radioactive Waste Management,” “Requirements for Radiation Protection and Safety,” and “Procedure for State Registration of Radioactive Waste.” In addition, a new draft of the Atomic Law of the Republic of Armenia has been prepared and is currently in the finalisation stage.
