National Atomic Energy Agency

The meeting launching the Nuclear Harmonization and Standardization Initiative (NHSI) was attended by the representatives of national nuclear regulators, manufacturers, operators and international organizations. PAA experts headed by President Dr Łukasz Młynarkiewicz were also invited.

The first meeting within the NHSI, which was held on 23 and 24 June at the IAEA headquarters, initiated the international action in support of the development and preparation of the SMR technology to be implemented in two separate yet mutually supportive groups:

• Regulatory bodies (Regulatory Track),
• Operators, technology owners et. (Industrial Track).

NHSI is to create a forum for dialogue between regulators and the nuclear industry, exchange of information and experience with SMR technology and elaboration of a harmonized regulatory approach to safely implement SMRs and other advanced nuclear technologies. The key purpose of the initiative is to harmonize licencing, safety standards and the technology assessment. By 2024, work will be undertaken in parallel in the industrial and regulatory areas. The anticipated effect will include roadmaps, i.e. instructions with the specific schedule for action supporting the development and implementation of the SMR technology across the states.

On-line meeting of IAEA’s DG Rafael Mariano Grossi with the PAA President Dr Łukasz Młynarkiewicz was dedicated to SMRs. The talks were initiated by the IAEA Director General before the conference launching the NHSI.

PAA President informed the Director General about growing interest in the SMR technology among Polish entrepreneurs. Dr Łukasz Młynarkiewicz also expressed his wish to continue the co-operation so as to work out harmonized international procedures for the implementation of SMRs.