Belgian class II nuclear facilities such as irradiators and accelerators: Regulatory Body attention points and operating experience feedback

Abstract

Abstract The aim of this paper is to present the Regulatory Body attention points and the operating experience feedback from Belgian “class IIA” facilities such as industrial and research irradiators, bulk radionuclides producers and conditioners. Reinforcement of the nuclear safety and radiation protection has been promoted by the Federal Agency for Nuclear Control (FANC) since 2009. This paper is clearly a continuation of the former paper [1] presenting the evolution in the regulatory framework relative to the creation of Bel V, the subsidiary of the FANC, and to the new “class IIA” covering heavy installations such as those mentioned above. Some lessons learnt are extracted from the operating experience feedback based on the events declared to the authorities. Even though a real willingness to meet the new safety requirements is observed among the “class IIA” licensees, promoting the safety culture, the nuclear safety and radiation protection remains an endless challenge for the Regulatory Body.