Chapter 6 - Nuclear off-site emergency preparedness and response: key concepts and international normative principles

Abstract

The accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant underlines two basic facts about nuclear emergency preparedness and response (EPR). First, off-site EPR plays a critical role in nuclear accident management notwithstanding continuous improvements in nuclear safety. Second, EPR is a matter of intrinsic international concern not only between neighboring states but also globally as shortcomings in EPR anywhere tend to undermine confidence in nuclear safety everywhere. Against this background, this chapter examines the post-Fukushima international normative setting for off-site nuclear EPR, including key international conventions, International Atomic Energy Agency safety standards and practices, and other relevant international, regional, and industry efforts. It then reviews cross-border/regional cooperation and the harmonization of EPR objectives and measures and discusses specific core elements of EPR, such as emergency planning zones, effective risk communication, the testing and peer review of emergency plans, and international emergency assistance. This chapter thereby highlights an incontrovertible fact, namely that nuclear EPR has become largely “internationalized” even though—notionally—EPR remains, of course, a national responsibility.