An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team of experts observed enhanced safety since a previous review mission in 2023 at the Belgian Research Reactor 2 (BR2). The team also found the need to further address recommendations related to safety analysis and operational limits and conditions.
The four-day Integrated Safety Assessment for Research Reactors (INSARR) follow-up mission to BR2 was requested by the national regulatory body, Federal Agency for Nuclear Control (FANC), and was hosted by the operating organization, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK•CEN). The mission team comprised two experts from Argentina and Czech Republic, as well as one IAEA official. The team visited the research reactor and associated facilities while meeting with SCK•CEN staff and FANC officials to assess the implemented safety actions since the previous INSARR mission.
BR2 is one of three operating research reactors at the SCK•CEN in Mol, in northeast Belgium. Operating since 1961, BR2 is one of the world’s most powerful research reactors, supplying the world with radioisotopes for medical purposes, including for cancer therapy and medical imaging. It also produces radioisotopes for industrial purposes and develops doped silicon, which forms a semiconductor material that can be found in hybrid cars, and high-speed trains as well as in solar and wind farms. BR2 performs periodic safety reviews every ten years, and is currently undergoing one that is due to be finalized next year.
“SCK•CEN has addressed the majority of the review recommendations made in 2023 and accomplished considerable safety enhancements,” said Kaichao Sun, mission team leader and Nuclear Safety Officer at the IAEA. “Further efforts are needed to finalize the remaining actions and to achieve the highest level of safety for the ongoing periodic safety review.”
The mission team assessed that SCK•CEN has strengthened the organizational effectiveness and operational programmes through:
- Completion of the SCK•CEN restructuring by establishing a BR2 institute with adequate human and financial resources;
- Enhancement of safety culture by including mandatory leadership development training for managerial roles across the operating organization;
- Establishment of a verification process by authorized personnel to enhance the effectiveness of reactor operation and maintenance.
The findings from the mission indicate the need for further safety improvements in areas that are related to:
- Update of the BR2 safety analysis and the acceptance criteria in the frame of the periodic safety review;
- Advancement of operational limits and conditions in accordance with the IAEA safety standards.
“We work every day to continuously improve the safety performance of our infrastructure and organization. It is rewarding to see our efforts paying off”, said Steven Van Dyck, Director of BR2. He highly appreciated the open and constructive discussions with the IAEA review team in this follow-up mission. “We’re thankful for their expertise and guidance that help us move forward and enables us to keep delivering for millions of patients worldwide.”
The mission team made a new recommendation on specifying the applicability of the BR2 safety limits as part of the ongoing periodic safety review. The IAEA understands that FANC intends to make the results of this mission publicly available on their website.
Background
INSARR missions are an IAEA peer review service, conducted at the request of a Member State, to assess and evaluate the safety of research reactors based on IAEA Safety Standards. Follow-up missions are standard components of the INSARR programme and are typically conducted within two years of the initial mission. General information about INSARR missions can be found on the IAEA Website.
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.
