Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation empowered to enforce UAE’s Nuclear Safety & Security Rules

ABU DHABI, 14th September, 2015 (WAM)--The Cabinet of the United Arab Emirates published a resolution on 16 August 2015 specifying the administrative penalties that UAE persons and organisations now face for non-compliance with the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation’s (FANR) nuclear and radiation-related regulations. Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2015 (link to Arabic text) empowers FANR to enforce safety, security and safeguards regulations by applying a number of administrative penalties such as fines, suspension or revocation of FANR licences, or corrective actions against violators. Radiation-related activities are commonly undertaken in the UAE such as for medical purposes and in the oil and gas industry. The nation is also developing a nuclear power programme, and four nuclear reactors are now under construction at the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi. FANR has established a nuclear regulatory programme to protect the UAE public, workers and the environment. It licenses users of nuclear and radioactive material and sources of ionising radiation to ensure that the nation can benefit from those activities while maintaining safety and security. "This Cabinet Resolution will help to encourage compliance with FANR regulations, deter violations and focus licensee attention on safety and security," said FANR Director General Christer Viktorsson. The resolution sets monetary fines for 26 types of violations ranging from actions exposing the public to radiation doses exceeding regulatory limits to failing to apply for licences. The resolution makes clear that responsibility for adhering to regulations falls upon companies and individuals alike, and that the amount of the fines vary according to consequences of the violation and increase for repeated violations. – Emirates News Agency, WAM - http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395285502711.html