FANR seeks public review of draft regulatory guide for probabilistic risk assessment

Abu Dhabi, March 2, 2011 (WAM) - The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) yesterday issued a draft regulatory guide, which will be available on the FANR website for the next 30 days for public review and comment. Regulatory guides describe acceptable methods for licensees to implement specific requirements of FANR's regulations.
The draft Regulatory Guide for Probabilistic Risk Assessment: Scope, Quality and Applications (FANR-RG-003) provides guidance to FANR licensees on how to carry out a probabilistic risk assessment during the siting, design, construction or operation of a light water reactor. It aims to assist licensees with the implementation of the FANR REG 05 Regulation for Probabilistic Risk Assessment Application at Nuclear Facilities.
A probabilistic risk assessment is a method to evaluate risks associated with a complex technology. The answers to "what can go wrong, how likely it is, and what the consequences might be" help analyse the risk and establish possible response mechanisms to it.
As with previous regulations and regulatory guides, this draft guide has already been made available for 30 days to local and federal government entities for their comments.
The UAE's independent regulator for the nuclear sector recognises the importance of inviting the public to comment. FANR's policy of operational transparency is based on the Federal Law by Decree No 6 of 2009, Regarding the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy. Since its establishment on 24 September 2009, FANR has asked its external stakeholders to review and comment on 10 draft regulations and two regulatory guides through web-based communication or face-to-face meetings.
This draft guide can be found at http://www.fanr.gov.ae or requested by sending an email to regulation@fanr.gov.ae. Comments should be sent to the same email address. - Emirates News Agency, WAM