New ovesight concept is supported by a new HAEA regulation and amendments to two previous ones

The amendments are focused primarily on the implementing rules for the new oversight concept for the construction of new nuclear units enabling a more efficient application of the regulatory supervision, more in line with the principle of the graded approach and adapted to the life cycle of the installation. The rules of the new regulation cover the register of independent inspection bodies that may be involved in inspections and their accreditation requirements. The associated administrative service fees of the HAEA will change as a result of the new registration tasks.

The Hungarian Atomic Energy Authority (HAEA) will face many challenges in the coming years in addition to its existing tasks, and it is therefore necessary to review and optimise the current regulatory system while keeping a mindful eye on nuclear safety in order to ensure that it can carry out its activities more efficiently and in line with international requirements.

As a result of the review of the regulatory system, the new oversight concept aims to strengthen the effectiveness of regulatory supervision, to continuously improve the level of nuclear safety, to systematically apply the principle of the graded approach to regulatory supervision, to optimise licensing at the component level by strengthening licensing at the facility level, to focus on the control of the licensee's management system, internal processes, safety culture, the application of licensee responsibility and to create the possibility of third party involvement in the performance of inspections.

To this end, the HAEA Decree No 1/2022 (IV. 29.) is amended and a new HAEA Decree No 1/2024 (IV. 8.) is introduced.

The registration of independent inspection bodies authorised by law is an administrative service fee procedure, the fees of which are set out by the amendment to HAEA Decree No 11/2022 (XII.29.) on the fees payable for certain administrative procedures and services of an administrative nature.

The Regulations were published in the Hungarian Gazette of 8 April 2024 and will enter into force on the 31st day following their publication.