The new issue of HAEA’s Nuclear Safety Bulletin presenting a number of interesting articles is now available. In the new issue, you can read about the most significant statistical data on nuclear safety and the recent legislative changes in Hungary and organizational changes at the Hungarian Atomic Energy Authority. HAEA provides detailed information on the regulatory licensing and supervision activity of the Authority related to the construction of the new units, as well as information on nuclear emergency preparedness. In the new issue, we also give an overview on the National Training on Conducting Computer Security Assessments at Nuclear Facilities, on the Hungarian safeguards support programme, and about the 65th IAEA General Conference in Vienna.
The plenary meeting of the European Nuclear Safety Regulators Group (ENSREG) took place on 24 November, 2021 in a hybrid format (personal attendance and online). Ms Andrea Beatrix Kádár, Director General of the Hungarian Atomic Energy Authority introduced herself on the occasion of her first participation in the meeting. In her speech, Ms Kádár provided details of the modification of the Act on Atomic Energy. The Director General emphasized that the HAEA will be more independent financially and organizationally, while it continues to keep its regulatory independence. She underlined: the competencies of HAEA related to the international relations remain the same. HAEA will continue to pay special attention to them, with emphasis on the cooperation with EU member states and in the framework of ENSREG. In this regard, she re-confirmed the dedication of HAEA experts participating in the three ENSREG working groups, and said that they will continue to contribute to their work.
Due to the pandemic, the 27th Austrian-Hungarian bilateral meeting was organized by the Hungarian side on 16 November 2021 online like the previous one. The parties sent each other their presentations prior to the meeting. At the bilateral event, only questions, remarks and answers related to these were made.
On 9th November, the Hungarian Parliament adopted the amendment of the Act on Atomic Energy, which will enter into force in several stages after its promulgation. The Hungarian Atomic Energy Authority will be more independent financially and organizationally, while it keeps its regulatory independence, which will provide the framework for efficient work even with the expanding tasks.