International Expert Group on Nuclear Liability Convenes for 25th Meeting in Vienna

Ahead of the INLEX meeting, the IAEA, with the assistance of some INLEX members, held a workshop on civil liability for nuclear damage for Vienna-based diplomats titled, “A Call for Action on the Global Nuclear Liability Regime: Key Policy and Legal Considerations.” The workshop highlighted the increasing importance of the legal frameworks addressing civil liability and compensation in the event of a nuclear accident, as more countries turn to nuclear energy—including traditional Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) and SMRs.

In this context and for the first time, the workshop? addressed the relevance of the global nuclear liability regime as called for annually by the IAEA’s General Conference, for NPP operating countries, newcomer countries and neighboring countries, as well as coastal states. The final session of the workshop focused on the pathways towards the global nuclear liability regime.

Established in 2003 as an advisory body to the IAEA Director General, INLEX currently consists of 21 members serving in their individual capacity and serves as a forum of expertise to explore and advise on issues related to civil liability for nuclear damage.

INLEX works to enhance adherence to an effective nuclear liability regime in nuclear and non-nuclear countries around the world, based on the nuclear liability instruments adopted under the auspices of the IAEA. Additionally, the Group assists the IAEA in the development and strengthening of national nuclear liability legal frameworks in IAEA Member States.

Last year marked two decades of the Group’s work and the publication of the book 'International Expert Group on Nuclear Liability (INLEX): A Collective View on The First Two Decades’. More information on the publication can be found?here.