IAEA completes nuclear security study in Norway

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced on Friday that it has completed a review mission of Norway’s nuclear security practices.

Over a two-week period, the International Physical Protection Advisory Service (IPPAS) mission found that the country is taking on sustainable and strong security activity in relation to nuclear activity.

“The example given by Norway strongly reinforces the importance and the value of establishing and applying IAEA Nuclear Security Guidance that contributes to the continuous improvement of physical protection and nuclear security,” Muhammed Khaliq, head of the IAEA’s Nuclear Security of Materials and Facilities Section, said.

The team reviewed the legislative and regulatory frameworks for the transport and security systems associated with radioactive material. They also evaluated both the physical and computer protection systems at the Institute for Energy Technology sites in Halden and Kjeller. The team also made recommendations that would allow authorities to improve their nuclear security.

"The IPPAS mission was very useful," Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority Department Head Per Strand said. "We will in our future work use these recommendations and suggestions to improve Norway’s nuclear security regime. We intend to invite a follow-up mission afterwards." 

This is the second mission of this kind to take place in the country; the first occurred in 2003.