IAEA Completes Nuclear Safety Review of Jordan

Recently, an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) mission completed an Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) review of Jordan's nuclear and radiation safety regulatory framework. The mission, comprising 15 experts from 12 countries and organizations including Brazil, Canada, Finland, Sweden and the IAEA, assessed that Jordan has a sound nuclear and radiation safety regulatory framework, demonstrating a strong commitment to international peer review, regulatory transparency and continuous improvement.

Currently, Jordan operates a research and training reactor (JRTR), widely uses radiation sources in the medical, industrial and research fields, possesses abundant natural uranium resources, and is actively evaluating the introduction of small modular reactors (SMRs) for nuclear power development. The mission highly commended the Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission (EMRC) of Jordan for its good practices in seven key areas, including accessible and inclusive public communication, public outreach on radiation safety, industry radiation protection promotion, innovative radon mapping, and a graded emergency response system.

With regard to further alignment with international safety standards, the mission made recommendations for continuous improvement in four core areas: further improving the integrated management system, enhancing the consistency and effectiveness of core regulatory functions, strengthening specific nuclear and radiation safety requirements and regulatory arrangements, and achieving digitalization and modernization of regulatory record-keeping. Ramzi Jammal, Executive Vice-President of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and head of the mission, emphasized that a robust safety framework depends not only on sound legal and regulatory processes but also on a commitment to learning and continuous improvement.

Ziyad Al-Sa'aidah, Chairman of the Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission of Jordan, stated that participating in the IAEA peer review reflects Jordan's safety commitment to maintaining an independent and effective regulatory system and effectively protecting the public and the environment, and that the recommendations will be used to guide future regulatory modernization and enhancement. The formal review report is expected to be submitted to the Jordanian government in about three months.