The Federal Government has invited the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to carry out an inspection of the nuclear supervisory bodies at Federal and Länder level in Germany in mid 2008. A team of approximately twelve experienced international administrative experts will be visiting Germany for about two weeks and will examine how administrative supervision of the safety of nuclear power plants is carried out at the Federal Environment Ministry and the Environment Ministry of Baden-Württemburg. A systematic method of investigation was jointly developed at the IAEA in Vienna to this end.
In a joint letter to the staff of both their Ministries, Federal Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel and Environment Minister of Baden-Württemberg Tanja Gönner promised their full support for this important but also very difficult task: "Despite our different positions regarding nuclear energy we are both convinced that the protection of man and environment against the dangers and risks of nuclear energy should at all times – and in relation to other countries - be guaranteed at the highest level possible. This is what we also call on our neighbouring countries to do. For this reason the IRRS missions are an important instrument requiring systematic scrutiny and detailed investigation, providing at the same time transparency and traceable procedures and facilitating a continuous improvement." At the moment, inspections of the nuclear supervisory bodies by IRRS missions (Integrated Regulatory Review Service) are taking place in many states operating nuclear power plants.
The supreme responsibility for the safety of nuclear power plants in Germany rests with the operators. Nuclear supervision of the power plants is carried out by the authorities of the Länder acting on behalf of the Federation (Bundesauftragsverwaltung). It is the responsibility of the state authorities to guarantee the legally postulated protection which is further specified in the administrative licenses. This, again, requires able, independent and assertive nuclear supervisory authorities.
Mr Gabriel and Ms Gönner stressed: "We expect this project to lead to a better mutual understanding of the tasks and work procedures of nuclear supervisory bodies at Federal and Länder level in Germany and concrete proposals for improvement.
- What are currently the strong points of nuclear inspection which deserve further development and could serve other authorities as examples of good practice?
- Where is there potential for improvement - e.g. on the basis of IRRS results obtained in other countries?
- Where are the weak spots and shortcomings in our country which have to be remedied?
We would like to ask everyone concerned to carry out the investigations thoroughly, objectively and in a self-critical way. Safety must prevail at all times. We expect clear and untarnished reports on the facts and constructive proposals for the future."
The whole IAEA inspection process will last until 2010. Results obtained in the course of the mission have to be implemented by 2010 and reported on during an IRRS follow-up mission.