Category: IAEA

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How Radiation Dosimetry Supports Safe Medical Care

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

Monika Shifotoka, IAEA Office of Public Information

An IAEA radiation metrologist at the Dosimetry Laboratory setting up for calibrating an ionization chamber for external beam radiotherapy. (Photo: D.Calma/IAEA).

Radiation therapy is one of the most effective treatments for many kinds of cancer, helping to destroy tumours and save lives. Because these treatments use high‑energy radiation directed at specific parts of the body, accuracy is critical — regardless of how small the dose is. Even small inaccuracies can affect how well a tumour is treated or increase the risk of side effects. 

This is where dosimetry plays a vital role. Dosimetry measures how much radiation is delivered during medical procedures and ensures that patients receive exactly the dose prescribed. Reliable dose measurement is essential for safe and effective radiotherapy, diagnostic imaging and nuclear medicine. 

The IAEA works with countries to strengthen dosimetry practices through standards, audits, training and laboratory support. 

For more than six decades, the IAEA Dosimetry Laboratory in Seibersdorf, Austria — established in 1961 and now modernized through the IAEA’s Renovation of the Nuclear Applications Laboratories projects — has been helping countries strengthen the accuracy of their radiation measurements. Through calibration services, audits, training and scientific support, the Laboratory helps ensure that cancer patients worldwide can receive safe and accurate doses. 

In October 2025, the IAEA inaugurated the Curie‑Meitner Nuclear Applications Centre in Seibersdorf, completing the modernization project. This new facility is a major upgrade to the IAEA’s nuclear science and applications laboratories, strengthening the support provided to countries using nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. 

We spoke to Zakithi Msimang, an IAEA medical radiation physicist. 

How does the Dosimetry Laboratory’s work contribute to improving patient safety and effectiveness in radiotherapy globally?

The IAEA Dosimetry Laboratory provides two services which are critical for patient treatment: calibration and audit services. These services help hospitals deliver the radiation dose prescribed for each patient. Calibration ensures that medical facilities can measure doses accurately. Audits verify that doses are calculated and delivered accurately. Together, these services enable medical physicists to have confidence in their dosimetry system, contributing to patient safety and effective treatment worldwide.    

How have the dosimetry services that the IAEA provides to countries evolved over the years?

Over the years the Dosimetry Laboratory has upgraded the equipment it uses for dose audits to increase their precision and lower their cost. 

The Dosimetry Laboratory was established to develop a calorimeter and a postal dose audit system for comparing radiation doses between hospitals. Early pilot postal dose inter-hospital comparisons were conducted by the IAEA in 1965–1966 using Fricke dosimeters and Thermo Luminescence Dosimeters (TLDs). Eventually, the service was established based on TLDs due to their good precision, low cost and ease of shipment and it operated this way until 2016. In 2017, the IAEA modernized its systems by replacing ageing TLD readers with radiophotoluminescent dosimetry (RPLD) systems. 

Calibration services have also evolved.  Initially limited to air-based measurements, they now include absorbed dose to water using cobalt-60 photon beams. The laboratory has also added calibration for high-dose-rate brachytherapy, expressed in terms of reference air kerma rate, and provides X-ray calibrations for both radiation therapy beams and diagnostic radiology. 

What approaches have been used to strengthen dosimetry capabilities in low- and middle-income countries?

The IAEA works with the International Centre for Theoretical Physics to offer postgraduate training, including a Master of Advanced Studies in medical physics and, from 2026, a Master of Advanced Studies in radiation metrology. These programmes mainly enroll students from low- and middle-income countries. Together, we have also supported and hosted workshops on a wide range of dosimetry topics.  

An IAEA dosimetrist conducting a training session at the Dosimetry Laboratory to strengthen the quality assurance capabilities of cancer centres across the globe. (Photo: G. Velez/IAEA). 

How does the IAEA support training and education for medical physicists and dosimetry professionals from around the world?

The IAEA publishes guidance on dosimetry for medical physicists in radiation therapy, nuclear medicine, diagnostic radiology and radiation metrologists. It also issues recommended curricula for medical physicists and radiation metrologists.  

Training activities range from regional and national courses to specialized workshops for medical physicists and radiation metrologists on various dosimetry topics hosted and funded by the IAEA, the International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Argonne National Laboratory, IAEA Collaborating Centres and Rays of Hope anchor centres. These have a theoretical and practical hands-on component.  

The IAEA also facilitates collaboration among experts through technical meetings for secondary standards dosimetry laboratories and the dosimetry audit network providers. Every seven to eight years, it hosts the International Symposium on Standards, Application and Quality Assurance in Medical Radiation Dosimetry (IDOS). 

How do you foster innovation and continuous improvement among the Laboratory’s scientific and technical staff?

The recent modernization of the Seibersdorf laboratories — including the new Curie‑Meitner Nuclear Applications Centre — supports innovation in dosimetry by providing upgraded facilities that strengthen scientific collaboration and enhance the development of advanced tools to ensure accurate and safe radiation measurements. 

IAEA coordinated research projects (CRPs) foster innovation and continuous improvement. Current CRPs address dosimetry in brachytherapy, diagnostic radiology and a doctoral research project in radiation metrology.  Laboratories are encouraged to collaborate with their counterparts in the IAEA/WHO SSDL Network rather than working in isolation.  

Inauguration of ReNuAL2 Facilities held at the IAEA Laboratories in Seibersdorf, Austria. 7 October 2025. (Photo: D.Calma/IAEA). 

Looking ahead, what major trends do you see shaping the future of global dosimetry and radiation metrology?

Rapid technological development in medical radiation therapy and imaging requires closer coordination between equipment manufacturers and radiation metrologists to ensure that solutions are available more quickly. Today, a significant gap often exists between the introduction of a new technology and the availability of globally accepted calibration and measurement protocols. Closing this gap will require collaboration among developers, regulators, metrology institutes, hospitals and international organizations from the earliest stages of technology development. 

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Moldova Advances Efforts to Address Childhood and Other Cancers

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

Igor Veljkovikj, IAEA Department of Technical Cooperation

Nika Notar, IAEA Department of Technical Cooperation

In collaboration with St. Jude, the team reviewed paediatric oncology and explored the way forward to increase services, building on Moldova’s progress to date in tackling childhood cancers. (Photo: I. Veljkovikj, IAEA).   

A review by IAEA and partners has found that Moldova has taken significant steps to tackle childhood and other cancers and set out recommendations to strengthen services for vulnerable populations as the country prepares its National Cancer Control Programme 2026–2030.  

Cancer remains a main public health challenge in Moldova, with nearly 15 000 new cases and more than 8 000 deaths annually. The Government has declared cancer control a national priority, with a focus on upgrading care infrastructure and the availability of diagnostic and treatment technologies.  

The imPACT review, conducted by the IAEA, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for Cancer Research (IARC), evaluated Moldova’s cancer control capacities across the full spectrum of care – from prevention and early detection to treatment and palliative care.  

As part of a new global partnership between the IAEA and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to strengthen paediatric radiation oncology, the review also assessed childhood cancer services.   

The international team of experts underlined opportunities to improve cancer governance in Moldova, aligning with good practices and strategies in the European region. They also recommended actions to strengthen human resources for cancer control, including paediatric oncology, and partnerships that could support health financing.  

“This is a new era for our oncology system – one in which decisions are no longer fragmented but based on an independent vision anchored to the best international standards,” said Moldova’s Minister of Health Emil Ceban at the opening of the imPACT review mission in November 2025.   

The experts also visited other facilities related to cancer care, such as the Timofei Moșneaga Republican Clinical Hospital. (Photo: N. Notar/ IAEA)  

A Focus on Vulnerable Populations

Childhood cancers affect 120 children aged 0-19 years every year, according to the latest IARC estimates. Key challenges in tackling this include financial barriers and limited availability of specific medicines. In 2025, the country joined the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines to secure critical therapies.  

Moldova also hosts a significant number of Ukrainian refugees, including childhood cancer patients, providing them with treatment in Moldova or in neighbouring countries.  

“Moldova has made remarkable progress in childhood cancer care, driven by the dedication of its clinicians, strong support from the Ministry of Health and growing international collaboration,” said Sanjeeva Gunasekera, a paediatric oncologist who participated in the mission on behalf of St. Jude who participated in the mission.  

At the PMSI Institute of Oncology, the imPACT review team reviewed services such as pathology, early detection, nuclear medicine and radiation oncology. (Photo: M. Losada, WHO) 

Investment in Human Resources and Technology

From 10-14 November 2025, the imPACT review team met with several stakeholders and visited cancer care facilities, including the PMSI Institute of Oncology and the Mother and Child Institute, which provides paediatric care.  

“Quality imaging is essential for the accurate staging and management of paediatric cancers,” said Anita Brink, Nuclear Physician at the IAEA’s Division of Human Health. “The Government of Moldova has shown commitment for improving access to quality imaging services.”  

They urged increased investment in oncology training and retention strategies and in digital health, including telemedicine, to increase the availability of services.  

They also recommended enhancing multisectoral cancer governance in Moldova, involving academia, professional groups, and civil society. Strengthened and effective collaboration among all cancer stakeholders would support the planning and delivery of cancer services. 

Follow up imPACT Review sessions held in January 2026 supported the drafting of the new National Cancer Control Programme, including strategies to mobilize partners to strengthen services, including for childhood cancers.  

Expanding Global Capacities for Paediatric Radiation Medicine

In June 2025, the IAEA and St. Jude entered a partnership to strengthen paediatric radiation medicine capacities in low- and middle-income countries. The aim is to provide technical resources, guidance and training for radiation oncologists, radiotherapy technicians and medical physicists to improve outcomes.  

The collaboration will also support the integration of childhood cancer care in national planning in selected countries through imPACT Reviews. These joint IAEA, WHO and IARC assessments help countries in identifying gaps and needs in cancer control and provides recommendations to strengthen services.  

Opening of the imPACT review mission with Minister of Health Emil Ceban (Photo: IAEA)  

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Update 340 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) lost connection to one of its two off-site power lines on Tuesday, leaving it once again precariously reliant on a single power source, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said today.

The 330 kilovolt (kV) Ferosplavna-1 off-site power line was disconnected around midday on 10 February, allegedly due to military activity near the switchyard operated by the Zaporizhzhya Thermal Power Plant (ZTPP). ZNPP is still powered by the 750 kV Dniprovska off-site power line to ensure nuclear safety functions. Before the conflict, the ZNPP had four 750 kV and six 330 kV power lines available.

Around the time the Ferosplavna-1 line was disconnected, the IAEA team at the ZNPP heard explosions in the distance. They have not had access to the ZTPP switchyard in several years but were informed that lines connecting the switchyard to the ZNPP have been damaged. One of these lines was damaged in December 2025 and subsequently repaired under the local ceasefire brokered by the IAEA. The team has yet to be informed of an anticipated timeline for repairs; however, the IAEA stands ready to negotiate another ceasefire to facilitate repairs to these essential power lines to ensure the nuclear safety of the plant. 

The situation also caused damage to the heating pipe from the ZNPP to the nearby city of Enerhodar, which caused the city to lose heating for several hours.

Military activity over the past weekend once again targeted the Ukrainian electrical grid, impacting nuclear power plants’ (NPPs) operations. All reactor units across Ukraine, except for one, had to reduce power, and several off-site power lines were disconnected. One reactor unit was disconnected from the grid, while another was shut down due to equipment issues from electrical fluctuations. All Ukrainian NPPs reported multiple drones and a cruise missile within their monitoring areas, and the IAEA team at the Khmelnitsky NPP also heard military activity and sheltered. 

“Such events in Ukraine are becoming all too common with each one reminding us of the ever-present risks to nuclear safety and security arising from deteriorating grid conditions,” Director General Grossi said. “No one benefits from a nuclear accident – especially one that can be prevented from all of us taking action. To this end, I call for maximum military restraint from all sides.” 

The IAEA’s mission to electrical substations critical to nuclear safety and security in Ukraine continued this week. As a result of the ongoing military activity described above, two additional substations were added to the mission, bringing the total number of substation visits by IAEA teams to 12. However, today, the team visiting a substation in Western Ukraine was forced to evacuate due to local air raid alarms. At the same time, teams at both the Khmelnitsky and Rivne NPPs also were required to shelter in place.

“We are lucky to be able to leverage our staff already deployed across Ukraine to obtain valuable first-hand knowledge of the impact these attacks are having on nuclear safety and security. We will continue to report on the nuclear safety and security situation in Ukraine according to the Seven Indispensable Pillars and bring timely and important in situ information to our Member States,” Director General Grossi stated.

Earlier this week, the IAEA teams at the Rivne and Chornobyl NPPs safely rotated.

The Agency continued with deliveries under the comprehensive programme of assistance to help Ukraine maintain nuclear safety and security amid the on-going conflict. Three new systems to complement available physical protection measures were recently delivered – one to the Centralized Dry Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage Facility of the State Enterprise “National Nuclear Energy Generating Company Energoatom” and two to the State Specialized Enterprise “Central Enterprise for Radioactive Waste Management”. One high-pressure air compressor with a filling panel was delivered to Rivne NPP. 

Additionally, one real-time PCR cycler was delivered to the Odesa Regional State Laboratory to support PCR diagnostics for fast and accurate detection of diseases. Laboratory supplies and consumables, including biological reference material, IT and laboratory equipment were delivered to the Zaporizhzhya Regional State Laboratory.

The deliveries, which brought the total number of shipments to Ukraine to 203, were made possible with funds from Denmark, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom.

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Call for Abstracts: Sixth International Conference on Nuclear Power Plant Life Management

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

Sara Kouchehbagh, Department of Nuclear Energy

Interested contributors now have until 1 May 2026 to submit abstracts for the Sixth International Conference on Nuclear Power Plant Life Management (PLiM 6), to be held from 7 to 11 December 2026 in Tokyo, Japan. 

The latest IAEA high-case outlook projects global nuclear power capacity increasing by 150% from current levels by 2050 reaching 992 gigawatts. This expected growth is driven by countries extending the lifetimes of existing power reactors, advancing new large-scale nuclear plant construction and accelerating the rollout of small modular reactors (SMRs). 

To meet decarbonization and energy security goals, the safety of long-term operation (LTO) of nuclear power plants has become a top priority for many nuclear power fleets. The plant life management (PLiM) programme helps operators manage ageing effects in structures, systems and components for LTO in a safe and cost‑effective manner.   

“For Member States, his event provides an important international forum to share proven solutions and lessons learned in nuclear power plant life management programmes—not only for countries with units currently under long-term operation or preparing for it, but also for those preparing for new builds, as well as newcomer countries,” said Qun Yu, an IAEA nuclear engineer and one of the scientific secretaries for this conference. 

This is the sixth conference in the PLiM series, following previous editions in Austria, China, France, Hungary and the United States of America. It is aimed at staff from utilities, research and design organizations, regulatory bodies, manufacturing and service companies, technical support organizations and government decision makers planning near, medium and long-term energy needs that include nuclear. 

“This conference will provide a unique platform for Member States to exchange experience and best practices on safety and availability aspects related to the plant life management of nuclear power plants,” said Martin Marchena, an IAEA nuclear safety officer and one of the scientific secretaries for this conference. He added that “This will create a valuable forum for dialogue between countries with established nuclear programmes and newcomer nations, while also engaging operators, regulators and other stakeholders to support shared learning, enhance safety, and promote the sustainable development of nuclear energy worldwide.” 

Contributors interested in submitting an abstract for the conference should choose a topic in one of the following areas: 

  • Good Practices and Lessons Learned in Nuclear Power Plant Life Management
  • Innovation for Nuclear Power Plant Life Management
  • Ageing Management and Preparation of Long-Term Operation
  • Important Engineering Aspects in Nuclear Power Plant Life Management
  • Stakeholder Engagement, Human Resource Development and Knowledge/Competence Management
  • Regulatory Approaches and Safety Analysis Relevant to Long-Term Operation   

Guidelines for submitting abstracts are available here. Those wishing to contribute should submit a synopsis through the IAEA web-based submission system (IAEA-INDICO). 

Authors will be informed by 3 July 2026 whether their submission has been accepted for oral or poster presentation at the conference. 

All persons wishing to participate in the event must be designated by an IAEA Member State or be a member of an invited organization. No registration fee is charged to participants. 

More information on registration and participation is available here. 

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IAEA Concludes Long Term Operational Safety Review of South Africa’s SAFARI-1 Research Reactor

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

The SALTO-RR team visited the SAFARI-1 reactor. (Credit: South African Nuclear Energy Corporation)

An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team of nuclear safety experts on Friday completed a review of continued safe operation of the SAFARI-1 Research Reactor in Pelindaba, South Africa.

The Safety Review Mission on Ageing Management and Continued Safe Operation (SALTO-RR) mission was requested by the operator, South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (NECSA). During the five-day mission, held from 2 to 6 February, the team reviewed the SAFARI-1 reactor’s preparedness, organization and programmes, focusing on ageing management and continued safe operation.

SAFARI-1 is located on NECSA’s Pelindaba site in Northwest Province. SAFARI-1 is a tank-in-pool reactor, cooled and moderated by light water with beryllium reflectors, and with a nominal operating power of 20 MW. The first criticality of the reactor was achieved on 18 March 1965. SAFARI-1 is currently used for commercial production of radioisotopes and provision of services for medical and industrial applications. The main product is molybdenum-99, whose decay product is technetium-99m. Technetium-99m radiopharmaceuticals are used in the diagnosis of cancer patients, cardiac patients and many other applications. The reactor is also used for neutron transmutation doping of silicon, neutron activation analysis, neutron radiography and neutron diffraction.

The mission, supported by IAEA Department of Technical Cooperation, was conducted by a six-person team consisting of experts from Australia, Ghana, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Pakistan, as well as two IAEA staff members. Representatives from South Africa’s National Nuclear Regulator also participated in the mission as observers. The mission activities included a walkdown of the reactor facility, examination of safety and technical documentation, and discussions with SAFARI-1 counterparts. 

The team identified the following good performances:

  • Strong commitment and involvement of the reactor management and technical staff by conducting a self-assessment against SALTO-RR guidelines as part of mission preparation; and
  • Effective engagement and communication between the operating organization and the regulatory body at an early stage for the ongoing periodic safety review.

“We appreciated the high quality of the discussions during the mission, and the openness of the SAFARI-1 counterparts is well noted,” said Kaichao Sun, mission team leader and Nuclear Safety Officer at the IAEA. “Systematically implementing the ageing management activities can be challenging. Continuously improving the management system that integrates the existing operational programmes helps address this challenge.”

The team provided a number of recommendations and suggestions to strengthen SAFARI-1’s ageing management programme, including:

  • Management of financial and human resources to achieve the organization’s objectives of continued safe operation;
  • Development of a systematic screening process to identify the structures, systems and components in the scope of the ageing management programme; and
  • Establishment of formalized programmes to proactively address the obsolescence and qualification of equipment.

The mission team provided a draft report to the SAFARI-1 management and to NECSA, who subsequently expressed a determination to implement the mission findings. NECSA agreed to request a follow-up mission to review the status of the implementation in 2028.

“We recognize that our SAFARI-1 reactor, which is over 61 years, ages. Our responsibility to manage the ageing process becomes increasingly critical,” said Sammy Malaka, Acting Group Executive for Nuclear Operations and SAFARI-1 Reactor Manager. “We view this SALTO mission as a collaborative opportunity to strengthen our safety culture, enhance our ageing management programme, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our research reactor operation and capabilities.”

Background

Reviews of ageing management and continued safe operation of a research reactor are performed in accordance with a methodology developed based on the IAEA Safety Aspects of Long Term Operation (SALTO) peer review service for nuclear power plants and research reactors, and in accordance with the IAEA safety standards. These reviews complement IAEA Integrated Safety Assessment of Research Reactors (INSARR) missions, which are designed as a comprehensive review of programmes and activities essential to safety.

Establishment and implementation of an effective ageing management programme for research reactors is to ensure their continued safe operation. As stated in the IAEA safety standards, maintaining the availability and reliability of research reactor facilities requires measures to prevent, detect and mitigate ageing effects on structures, systems and components. It also calls for refurbishment and modernization projects based on systematic ageing management reviews. 

General information about SALTO missions can be found on the IAEA Website.

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Update 339 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

The Ukrainian electrical grid was again the target of military activity, over the past weekend, leading to significant impacts to several regions of Ukraine and nuclear power plant (NPP) operations, stated International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi.

Power lines linking Ukraine with neighbouring countries were disconnected, triggering a cascade of power lines being disconnected within Ukraine. As a result, a unit at one NPP disconnected from the grid due to fluctuations and automatically shutdown. Other units at other NPPs were forced to reduce power. The Chornobyl site experienced a complete loss of off‑site power and relied on its emergency diesel generators for approximately one hour.

“This latest grid event in Ukraine is a stark reminder of the ever-present risks to nuclear safety and security arising from deteriorating grid conditions. Extensive repairs are needed to improve the reliability of power supply to Ukrainian NPPs and to strengthen their resilience to further grid events,” Director General Grossi said. “Once again, I call for maximum military restraint, as well as full observance of the Seven Indispensable Pillars to enable these essential repairs to take place.”

Amid increased military activity impacting the Ukrainian electrical grid, three IAEA teams are visiting 10 substations critical to nuclear safety and security in Ukraine. The objective of this two-week IAEA mission is to assess the continuing damage to the grid, review repair efforts and identify practical steps to strengthen the resilience of off-site power supplies to the country’s NPPs. One of the teams has also visited Kyiv, where they discussed further IAEA support to NPP operations under deteriorating grid conditions. 

This is the second such mission in as many months; the previous mission took place in December 2025, which confirmed the effects of cumulative impacts on NPP operations and staff conditions. 

Further evidence of decreasing grid stability within Ukraine was apparent at the Chornobyl NPP in late-January. The IAEA team was informed that the diesel generators for the site’s New Safe Confinement and the Interim Spent Nuclear Fuel Dry Storage Facility unexpectedly started on Friday, 23 January, due to fluctuations from the grid. The diesel generators for both facilities were manually put in standby mode within minutes. “This further highlights the impact that military activity on the grid can have on safety systems,” Director General Grossi added.

Earlier last week, Chornobyl NPP detected 44 drones within their surveillance zone. On Tuesday last week, the IAEA team at Rivne NPP sheltered at their hotel, while two drones were detected within the plant’s surveillance zone. Another six drones were detected at Rivne NPP last week. 

Over the past two weeks, IAEA teams at the Khmelnitsky and South Ukraine NPPs safely rotated.

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IAEA Mission Sees Strong Regulatory Leadership and Safety Commitment in Japan, Recommends Further Improvements

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

Japan has in recent years further strengthened its supervision of nuclear and radiation safety under the leadership of an independent and effective national regulator established after the Fukushima Daiichi accident 15 years ago, an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team of experts said today.

The team also provided recommendations on how Japan – which has re-started several reactors that were shut down after the accident in March 2011 – can take steps to additionally enhance regulatory performance in the nuclear field. These include measures to help maintain specialised regulatory expertise through more flexible staff recruitment.

The Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) mission was conducted at the request of the Government of Japan and hosted by the Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA). The IRRS team completed its two-week mission on 6 February. 

With 1,080 employees and 22 regional offices, the NRA was set up in 2012 as a key part of Japan’s efforts to improve nuclear and radiation safety. The previous IRRS mission to Japan was carried out in 2020, as a follow-up to an initial review in 2016.

“Since the last mission, Japan has further strengthened its regulatory framework. We observed a highly independent regulator with clear leadership and a strong focus on safety as well as on regulatory effectiveness and efficiency, underpinned by transparent decision‑making,” said IRRS team leader Petteri Tiippana, Director General of Finland’s Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK).

Before the Fukushima Daiichi accident, Japan’s 54 nuclear power reactors produced about 30 per cent of its electricity. They were all shut down because of the accident, but 14 reactors have resumed operations after conforming to new safety requirements. The country also has fuel cycle facilities, research reactors and widely uses nuclear and radiological applications in industry, hospitals and other fields.

Using IAEA safety standards and taking advantage of international good practices, IRRS missions are designed to strengthen the effectiveness of the national regulatory infrastructure, while recognizing the responsibility of each country to ensure nuclear and radiation safety.

The IRRS team comprised 18 senior regulatory experts from 17 IAEA Member States: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Pakistan, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Switzerland, and the United States. The mission team also included five IAEA staff members.

They reviewed all regulatory areas, except for control of medical exposure, including: responsibilities and functions of the government and of the regulatory body; emergency preparedness and response; nuclear power plants; research reactors; nuclear fuel cycle facilities; radiation sources; radioactive waste management facilities; decommissioning; transport of radioactive material; occupational exposure; public exposure control; and interfaces with nuclear security. 

The experts also conducted interviews and discussions with NRA staff and observed regulatory oversight activities at a nuclear power plant, a research reactor, a nuclear fuel cycle facility, radiation sources facilities, and a decommissioning facility. 

The team said the holding of joint review meetings with all nuclear operators to share and discuss the results of the NRA’s evaluation of emergency preparedness and response exercises was a good practice that could serve as a model globally. 

The experts also identified several good performances, including new regulatory requirements regarding ageing and long-term management, and the development of a national strategic plan that supports the long-term availability of qualified personnel across the nuclear sector. 

Recommendations and suggestions for further improvement of Japan’s regulatory system included:

  • The NRA can further strengthen its overall effectiveness by applying a graded – or proportionate – approach consistently across all regulatory functions. This approach is especially relevant to the licensing process.
  • Through a multi-year human resources strategy, the NRA can ensure that it maintains the specialized expertise required for independent and future regulation.  The Government can support in this regard by enabling the NRA to implement greater staff mobility and recruitment flexibility.
  • The NRA should strengthen the documentation and implementation of its management system.

Prior to the IRRS mission, the NRA conducted a self-assessment that “set a clear direction” for the team’s work, said team leader Tiippana: “Our mission confirmed and refined it. We think that the biggest gains will come from more proportionate and predictable oversight, long lasting specialist expertise, and pairing Japan’s exemplary openness with formats that enable frank, in depth technical dialogue with other stakeholders in the country’s nuclear sector”  

IAEA Deputy Director General Karine Herviou, Head of the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security, said Japan was demonstrating “a commendable commitment” to nuclear and radiation safety by inviting and hosting the mission.

 “The NRA has come a long way since it was founded just 14 years ago, firmly establishing itself as a robustly independent regulator,” said Herviou. “Improving nuclear safety is a never-ending task and I’m confident that Japan will continue on this path.” 

NRA Chairperson Shinsuke Yamanaka said: “The NRA has made progress in steadily implementing and continuously improving nuclear and radiation regulation. This IRRS mission was an invaluable opportunity to receive observations from international experts of nuclear and radiation safety. We will promptly apply the recommendations and suggestions from the mission to improve our regulatory activities.”

The final mission report will be provided to the Government of Japan in about three months. The Government plans to make the report public.

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.

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IAEA-Led Mission Conducts Marine Environmental Sampling Near Fukushima Daiichi to Support Ongoing Monitoring

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

International experts conducted sampling of seawater and fishery products this week near the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. (Photo: P. McGinnity/IAEA)

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) led a team of international experts in conducting seawater sampling and fishery product selection this week near the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS).

The mission, conducted from 4 to 5 February, is the seventh implemented as part of the Additional Measures under the framework of the IAEA, which aim to enhance transparency and broaden international participation. These measures enable hands-on independent measurements of the concentration level of the water and fishery products by third parties to ensure that the discharge of treated water – processed through the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS) and initiated by Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO) in August 2023 – remains consistent with international safety standards.

The IAEA began implementing these Additional Measures in October 2024. In February 2025, the IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi presided over the Additional Measures to collect seawater samples in the vicinity of FDNPS.

International experts from the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation and Switzerland, alongside IAEA staff, conducted hands-on sampling of the seawater and fishery products on Wednesday and today.

Samples collected during this week’s mission will be analysed by participating laboratories including: the China Institute for Radiation Protection, the Korea Institute for Nuclear Safety, the Institute for Problems of Environmental Monitoring of the Research and Production Association “Typhoon” in the Russian Federation, the Spiez Laboratory in Switzerland, the IAEA Marine Environment Laboratories in Monaco and designated laboratories in Japan.

All international laboratories involved are members of the IAEA’s Analytical Laboratories for the Measurement of Environmental Radioactivity (ALMERA) network, selected for their demonstrated expertise and analytical excellence.

In December 2025, the IAEA Task Force confirmed that the discharge of ALPS‑treated water from Japan’s FDNPS continues to progress in line with relevant international safety standards.

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Five Key IAEA Publications to Watch in 2026

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

Five Key IAEA Publications to Watch in 2026

A leading publisher in the nuclear field, the IAEA is preparing several influential publications in 2026. Topics range from helping countries develop their first nuclear power programmes and strengthening nuclear safety to using artificial intelligence in clinical settings. 

These upcoming releases will soon join the more than 9000 scientific and technical publications already available on the IAEA website, including international safety standards, technical guides, conference papers and scientific reports. 

The IAEA’s publications span nuclear safety and security, nuclear law, energy, transport and human health and help expand the peaceful, safe and secure applications of nuclear science in the Agency’s member countries. 

Below are five of the most anticipated publications slated for release in early 2026.

The IAEA conducts field exercises on transport security of nuclear material. (Photo: IAEA)

1. Ageing Management and Maintenance of Packages for the Transport of Radioactive Material

Every year, around 20 million shipments of radioactive material are transported safely by road, rail, sea and air. These materials are used in medicine, industry, research, agriculture and energy production. Because radioactive material can be hazardous to people and the environment if not properly handled, its transport requires careful planning and compliance with international safety standards and security requirements. This includes correct packaging.

Each package used for the transport of radioactive material must demonstrate compliance with the IAEA Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material, particularly for international shipments. The new safety guide, published as part of the IAEA Safety Standards Series, will offer practical recommendations to help strengthen the safety and reliability of transport operations involving radioactive material throughout the service life of packages.

2. Leadership, Management and Culture for Safety

This safety guide will offer advice for meeting the requirements set out in GSR Part 2, Leadership and Management for Safety. It will be designed to support operating organizations, regulatory authorities, and other governmental bodies in applying these requirements effectively. The guidance is also relevant to a broader range of organizations that contribute to safety, including technical support organizations, technical service providers, and entities within the supply chain.

Advances in artificial intelligence are changing how medical imaging is carried out.

3. Clinical Implementation of Medical Imaging Based Artificial Intelligence Systems

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has significant potential to impact science and technology, including in human health. While bringing potential benefits to healthcare, the application of AI systems also introduces new challenges and risks.

The upcoming IAEA publication on Clinical Implementation of Medical Imaging Based Artificial Intelligence Systems is part of the IAEA Human Health Series. It provides a structured guidance to clinically qualified medical physicists, health professionals who are uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between complex AI algorithms and practical clinical applications. 

This publication will provide comprehensive guidance for the clinical implementation of imaging-based AI systems. It will address the entire process, from the initial assessment of needs, through selection, commissioning and quality management, to eventual decommissioning. While the primary focus of this guidance is on imaging-based AI systems, will also be applicable to non-imaging-based AI tools.

The IAEA helps countries implement nuclear power programmes. (Photo: Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power 2024)

4. Preparation of a Feasibility Study for New Nuclear Power Projects

The IAEA’s Milestones Approach is an internationally accepted method to implement nuclear power programmes. In 2026, the Preparation of a Feasibility Study for New Nuclear Power Projects will outline the typical steps involved in preparing a feasibility study. This study is carried out in phase 2 of the approach, and involves defining the project framework, establishing a business case for successful implementation, and providing a sound basis for the final investment decision. It also plays an important role in building and maintaining stakeholder support. 

The feasibility study development process described is adaptable to various nuclear power project technologies, project designs, sizes, locations and industrial applications, and outlines how the specific approach will vary depending on the unique objectives and drivers of each project. The publication is part of the IAEA Nuclear Energy Series.

5. Digital Instrumentation and Control Systems and Other Advanced Digital Technologies for Enhancing Nuclear Power Plant Performance

Advanced digital technologies offer opportunities to optimize operations and maintenance at nuclear power plants, while maintaining the highest standards of safety and security. 

This publication will explore how advanced instrumentation and control systems and digital technologies can enhance nuclear power plant performance across critical attributes, such as availability, operational flexibility, engineering efficiency and environmental sustainability. 

It will offer an up-to-date overview of proven practices, innovative approaches and lessons learned throughout the plant life cycle, from design and construction to operation and long-term management. Developed to support Member States and stakeholders of the nuclear power industry, this publication, which is part of the IAEA Nuclear Energy Series, emphasizes methods that ensure safety, reliability and cost-effectiveness while leveraging digital technologies

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The IAEA’s publications cover the breadth of the IAEA’s work, focusing on nuclear power, radiation therapy, nuclear safety and security, and nuclear law, among others.

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IAEA Mission Finds Comprehensive Regulatory Framework for Nuclear and Radiation Safety in Ireland

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team of experts said that Ireland demonstrates a strong commitment to nuclear and radiation safety. The team’s review, held from 19 to 28 January, found Ireland to be in compliance with IAEA safety standards, recognizing the national regulators as independent, competent and trusted.

The Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) mission, conducted at the request of the Government of Ireland and hosted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), aimed to review Ireland’s governmental, legal and regulatory framework for nuclear and radiation safety.

Ireland uses radioactive sources in medicine, industry and other applications. It has no nuclear power or research reactors. The previous IRRS mission to Ireland was carried out in 2015. Since then, Ireland has designated the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), an independent authority that promotes safety and quality in the provision of health and social care services in Ireland, to regulate medical exposure to ionizing radiation to ensure patient safety. The EPA remains the regulatory body responsible for radiation protection of workers and the public.

The 10-day IRRS mission covered all facilities, activities and exposure situations regulated in Ireland. Based on IAEA safety standards and taking advantage of international good practices, IRRS missions are designed to strengthen the effectiveness of the national regulatory infrastructure, while recognizing the responsibility of each country to ensure nuclear and radiation safety.

The IRRS team – comprising 11 regulatory experts from ten countries, as well as two IAEA staff members – conducted interviews and discussions with the EPA, HIQA, the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, and the Department of Health. Members of the IRRS team also observed regulatory oversight activities at Engineering Inspection Specialists, the Hermitage Clinic and Beaumont Hospital.

“The IRRS team was very impressed with the high degree of commitment and professionalism demonstrated by our Irish counterparts,” said the IRRS team leader Mika Markkanen, Principal Advisor for the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) in Finland. “Their focus on continuous improvement of the legal and regulatory framework for nuclear and radiological safety in Ireland is commendable.”

The IRRS team acknowledged a good practice in the establishment and implementation of the EPA’s Generative AI Policy to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of regulatory processes and to leverage the use of AI in assistive technologies. The team also identified good performances, including HIQA’s justification process for medical exposure, along with its guidelines for radiological procedures on asymptomatic individuals, to safeguard patients and the public from unnecessary radiation exposure.

Recommendations and suggestions for further improvement of the overall effectiveness of Ireland’s regulatory system included:

  • Making provision for the long-term management or disposal of all disused radioactive sources and radioactive waste;
  • Establishing and maintaining a national dose register; and
  • Establishing and implementing a coordination process between the EPA and HIQA to share relevant information when granting authorizations for medical facilities.

On behalf of the Irish Government, the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O’Brien, and the Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, said they “welcome the findings of this IRRS Mission and will use this opportunity to consider and prioritize future actions to further strengthen Ireland’s regulatory safety framework.”

The final mission report will be provided to the Government of Ireland within about three months. Ireland plans to make the report publicly available. 

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.