LEGAL FRAMEWORK & REGULATORY SYSTEM f or introduction of NPP into Vietnam

1. LEGAL FRAMEWORK & REGULATORY SYSTEMfor introduction of NPP into Vietnam Le Chi Dung (VARANS, Vietnam) Vienna, 10-12 December 2008

2. Contents • Legislative and governmental infrastructure • VARANS: organization, human resource and responsibilities • Authorization process for NPP • Action plan for regulatory system development • Conclusions

3. Legislative and governmental infrastructure • At present Vietnam has Ordinance on Radiation Protection and Control and 17 under-law regulation documents • They regulate radiation protection, not nuclear safety • Atomic Energy Law will be validated since January 1, 2009, and will replace the Ordinance • The Law stipulates all activities in the field of atomic energy and the assurance of safety and security in those activities

4. Legislative and governmental infrastructure(cont’d) GOVERNMENT MOST MOIT MOFA Dept. of Legislation Dept. of Energy Dept. of Int’l Organizations Dept. of Int’l Cooperation INSA VARANS EVN DOSTs VAEC

5. VARANS: organization, human resource and responsibilities Organization Chart Division ofAdministration & Personnel Division of Licensing Director General VARANS Inspectorate Scientific Council DDGs Division of International Cooperation Division of Legislation and Information Division of Nuclear Safety Division of Safeguards Centre for Technical Supportand Emergency Response

6. VARANS: organization, human resource and responsibilities (cont’d) VARANS is an organization with the average age of 29

7. VARANS: organization, human resource and responsibilities (cont’d) (Atomic Energy Law, Article 8) VARANS’s responsibilities and functions: • Drafting legal documents on radiation and nuclear safety; • Registration of radioactive substances, radiation equipments, nuclear material, nuclear equipments, and licensing for conducting radiation practices in accordance with its competency; • Conducting and organizing verification on radiation and nuclear safety; • Safety oversight, inspection and enforcement;

8. VARANS: organization, human resource and responsibilities (cont’d) VARANS’s responsibilities and functions: • Organizing nuclear control activities in accordance with provisions by laws; • Participation in emergency response; • Establishing and maintaining the national information system on radiation and nuclear safety; • Organizing and cooperating for professional trainings on radiation and nuclear safety; • Carrying out international cooperation activities in radiation and nuclear safety.

9. Authorization process (for NPP) Vietnam is preparing for introduction of the first NPP into the country in 2020

10. Road map for introductionof the first NPP into Vietnam Decom Preparation Decision D esign NPP Construction Operation missioning and Sitting making d evelopment Development / modifica tion of Decom m. Plan Responsibi lities of nuclear safety agency in safety oversight Operation Verification , and approval Inspection, Review and Construction Licensing of modification Authorization approval of Licensing Const. inspection for the site Review & oversight modification and approval of Decom Plan 2009 2011 2014 2020 (~ 40 yrs afterward)

11. Authorization process (for NPP,cont’d) • Early Site approval, or Application for Site approval together with Application for NPP project approval • NPP project approval includes construction permit GOVERNMENT State Assessment Council Site approval NPP project approval

12. Authorization process (for NPP,cont’d) • “Double check” by VARANS and the National Nuclear Safety Council MOIT (issues) National Nuclear Safety Council(reviews assessment) Operation license VARANS(assesses)

13. Action plan for regulatory system development (legal documents) • Preparation Stage (to be issued in Quarter I/2009) - Decree on Nuclear Power Plants • Sitting Stage (to be issued in Quarter III/2009) - Requirements for sitting - Guidance on site approval procedure • Construction Licensing (to be issued in Quarter I/2010) - Requirements for design - Guidance on construction permit procedure

14. Action plan for regulatory system development (approach) • Active support of IAEA - TC Project on Strengthening Regulatory Body Capacity • Close cooperation with other countries - US NRC helps in drafting generic regulatory documents - VARANS prepares specific documents for the country • Detailed plan for human resource development including recruitment and training(basic and qualification)

15. Conclusions • Weak points of Vietnam • There are not enough regulations and guides on radiation safety; no one on nuclear safety, except provisions in Atomic Energy Law • VARANS’s responsibilities and functions are specified by Law, but VARANS has too few experienced staff • Authorization procedures (for NPP) are too complicated (there is no unique competent responsible regulatory body) • It is unclear coordination role and special measures in case of Nuclear Emergency

16. Thank you for your attention!