An International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA) team of experts said Jordan has a comprehensive and well-established
regulatory framework for nuclear and radiation safety.اضافة اعلان
The team also identified
several areas where improvements could be made to enhance the overall
effectiveness of the national regulatory system in line with international
safety standards.
The Integrated
Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) review was carried out at the request of
the Government of Jordan and hosted by the Energy and Minerals Regulatory
Commission (EMRC), the national regulatory body responsible for radiation and
nuclear safety.
Using IAEA Safety Standards
and international best practices, IRRS missions are designed to strengthen the
effectiveness of the national nuclear regulatory infrastructure, while
recognizing the responsibility of each country to ensure nuclear safety. With
this mission, Jordan enters its second IRRS cycle, following the 2014
IRRS mission and its follow
up in 2017.
Jordan uses
radiation sources in medical, industrial and research applications and operates
a research and training reactor.
The country is also considering the
introduction of nuclear power as a strategic option to diversify generation
sources within the national energy strategy and achieve long term energy
security.
The nine day mission
was conducted from 2 to 10 November 2026 by 12 experts from Brazil, Canada, Croatia,
Egypt, Finland, Lithuania, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden and Switzerland
and three staff members from the IAEA.
The mission
reviewed Jordan's government, legal and regulatory framework against IAEA Safety Standards
and the Code of Conduct
on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources.
The review covered
the government's and regulatory body's responsibilities and functions; the
global nuclear safety regime; the regulatory framework; the integrated management
system, regulations and guidance documents; authorization, review and
assessment; inspection and enforcement; and emergency preparedness and
response.
The mission included interviews with government officials and
regulatory staff, as well as site visits to the Jordan Research and Training
Reactor, the radiotherapy and nuclear medicine facilities at Al Basheer
Hospital, the Radioactive Waste Treatment Facility and the Gamma Irradiation
Facility used for sterilizing medical products.
“A strong safety framework depends not only on sound laws, institutions
and regulatory processes, but also on a sustained commitment to learning and
continuous improvement. The IRRS team found these important elements in
Jordan,” said Ramzi Jammal, Executive Vice-President of the Canadian Nuclear
Safety Commission and mission team leader.
“The mission identified strengths
that support effective regulatory oversight, as well as opportunities for
further enhancement that will help Jordan continue strengthening its nuclear
and radiation safety framework.”
The review team
noted seven areas of good performance by EMRC, including: sustained commitment
to international peer review, transparency and continuous improvement; accessible and
inclusive communication arrangements including sign language interpretation; innovative
outreach to children and the wider public about radiation safety; promoting
radiation protection in industries using naturally occurring radioactive
materials; identification and recognition of good performances of licensees; innovative
radon mapping in hard-to-access areas; and applying a graded approach to
transport emergency preparedness and response.
The team also
identified four areas for further enhancement, including to:
- Further develop the integrated management
system.
- Enhance the consistency and
effectiveness of core regulatory functions including authorization, review and
assessment, and inspection and enforcement.
- Strengthen specific nuclear and
radiation safety requirements and regulatory arrangements, for example to
establish authorization provisions across the lifecycle of radiation source
facilities.
- Modernize regulatory records and
record keeping.
“Participating in
this IAEA mission reflects Jordan’s commitment to maintaining an independent
and effective regulatory system that protects people and the environment, through
a comprehensive review of the legal and regulatory framework and regulatory
functions, including authorization, assessment, inspection and enforcement”
said Zeyad Al-Saaydeh, Chairman of the EMRC Board of Commissioners.
“The mission also
represents an opportunity to benefit from international expertise and identify
areas for improvement and development, thereby enhancing the nuclear safety and
radiation protection system and ensuring the safe and responsible use of nuclear
and radiation technologies for peaceful purposes,” added Al-Saaydeh.
Head of the IAEA
Regulatory Infrastructure and Transport Safety Section Hilaire Mansoux said the
mission “demonstrates Jordan’s dedication to strengthening its regulatory
infrastructure and, consequently, enhancing nuclear and radiation safety
nationwide.”
The final mission
report will be provided to the Government of Jordan in about three months.
IAEA Safety
Standards
The IAEA Safety Standards provide
a robust framework of fundamental principles, requirements and guidance to
ensure safety.
They reflect an international consensus and serve as a global
reference for protecting people and the environment from the harmful effects of
ionizing radiation.
