Belarusian regulations on nuclear energy, radiation safety explained
A system of regulations on nuclear and radiation safety is in vigorous development in Belarus, particularly after the decision in favor of building the Belarusian nuclear power plant was made. The development of these regulatory acts took into account recommendations of international experts, including results of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) missions. Representatives of the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Department of the Belarusian Emergencies Ministry (Gosatomnadzor) came to BelTA's press center to talk about what “nuclear law” means and what legislation novelties one should expect in the near future.
A system to regulate nuclear and radiation safety started evolving back in the USSR days. Belarus is a legal successor state in a number of international agreements, which were adopted back then. At present Belarus is a party to most of the conventions in this sphere, including the 1994 Convention on Nuclear Safety, the 1997 Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management, and the Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage.