The State Duma of the Russian Federation adopted in the first reading a draft law on the legal foundations of state supervision in the nuclear industry

The State Duma adopted in the first reading a bill that establishes the legal basis for federal state supervision in the field of the use of atomic energy. The document was initiated by the government of the Russian Federation.

The bill proposes to establish requirements for planning and types of inspections and their organization, including the timing and reasons for conducting, as well as the procedure for processing their results. At the same time, it is proposed to introduce requirements for the involvement of specialists from Russian state authorities in supervision activities in the field of the use of atomic energy.

The provisions of the bill are aimed at implementing the Unified Action Plan for the implementation of the Fundamentals of the State Policy of the Russian Federation in the Arctic for the period up to 2035 and the Strategy for the Development of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation and ensuring security for the period up to 2035, approved by order of the Government of the Russian Federation of April 15, 2021.

To minimize the risks of accidents that have long-term and global (including transboundary) radiation consequences for humans and the natural environment, on ships under construction and other floating craft with nuclear reactors, the draft law provides for provisions on the possibility of establishing a regime of permanent state supervision in relation to legal entities, engaged in the construction of ships and other watercraft with nuclear reactors.

As noted in the conclusion of the State Duma Committee on Energy, the draft law significantly expands the requirement to maintain a safety culture in the field of the use of atomic energy and will help minimize the risks of accidents at nuclear facilities.

It is planned that the new requirements will come into force on September 1, 2024.