IAEA Mission Recognizes Norway’s Commitment to Strengthen Nuclear and Radiation Safety

An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team of experts has concluded a seven-day review of Norway’s regulatory framework for nuclear and radiation safety and its interfaces with nuclear security.

The Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) follow-up mission, conducted at Norway’s request from 24 November to 1 December, reviewed the country’s progress in addressing the recommendations and suggestions made by the initial IRRS mission in 2019.  The mission was hosted by the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA) and covered activities in the Ministry of Health and Care Services, Ministry of Climate and Environment, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

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

The review found that all the recommendations and suggestions from the initial IRRS mission are being addressed through a comprehensive national action plan. Of the 21 recommendations and 19 suggestions issued in 2019, the team found that 16 recommendations and 17 suggestions have now been successfully addressed and closed.

Norway does not operate any nuclear power plants. It uses nuclear and radiation technologies for medical applications, industry and research. Norway’s four research reactors (one in the town of Halden and three at Kjeller) have all been shut down and are in decommissioning or in preparation for decommissioning. Radioactive waste is stored temporarily at Halden, in the southeast of Norway, and Kjeller, just northeast of Oslo, with a national repository in Himdalen for low- and intermediate-level waste. 

The IRRS team, comprising six international experts and three IAEA staff, was led by Jussi Heinonen, Director in Finland’s Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK). The mission covered all facilities, activities and exposure situations regulated by the DSA.

The IRRS team acknowledged Norway’s strong commitment to continuous improvement in nuclear and radiation safety.

“Norway now has a clearly stronger and more robust regulatory framework compared to the situation in 2019,” said Heinonen, the Team Leader. “We greatly appreciated the open, frank and constructive dialogue with our Norwegian counterparts. These missions are not only about review—they are an opportunity for experts to exchange knowledge and learn from each other, and Norway’s approach fully supported that spirit.”

At the exit meeting held on 1 December in Oslo, the IRRS team presented its main observations to Norwegian officials. The notable achievements since 2019 include the following:

• The Government has adopted several strategic documents, including the first National Strategy for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety (2025), the National Strategy for the Safe, Secure, and Environmentally Sound Management of Radioactive Waste (2024) and a renewed National Radon Strategy (2025–2029).
• Norway has implemented a comprehensive approach to strengthen national competence in radiation protection and nuclear safety. Key actions include establishing the Norwegian Nuclear Research Centre, launching new academic programs, and introducing DSA’s Knowledge Management Strategy and Strategic Competence Plan.
• The legal and regulatory framework has been strengthened through new and revised regulations and the introduction of general licensing conditions for nuclear facilities. DSA has also extensively updated existing guidance documents and developed new ones, following a structured prioritization process.
• DSA has implemented a comprehensive Integrated Management System covering all core regulatory functions.

An additional recommendation has been issued to the Government to further strengthen the effective independence of the DSA in carrying out all its regulatory functions. The Recommendations and Suggestions from 2019 that remain open also pertain to ongoing efforts to build and maintain national competence in radiation protection and safety, as well as to completing the alignment of national regulations with the relevant IAEA safety standards.

Per Strand, DSA Director General, noted that by closing most of the recommendations and suggestions from the earlier mission, the IRRS team confirmed that Norway has made significant improvements in ensuring that its regulatory system and processes for radiation protection and nuclear safety are aligned with international best practice. 

“Norway has established a national strategy for radiation protection and nuclear safety, and there have been several important improvements to regulations and guides,” Strand added. “The open and constructive dialogue between IRRS Team and DSA staff also provided some valuable pointers for further improvement of our regulatory framework and practices, including the need to strengthen the effective independence of DSA in its regulatory functions.” 

The final mission report will be provided to the Government in about three months.

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.