NEA Mandates and Structures


Expert Group on the Use of Real-time Platforms (EGRT)

Chair(s): Secretary:  Edward LAZO
(edward.lazo@oecd-nea.org)
Member(s):All NEA member countries*
Russia (Suspended*)
*Russian Federation suspended pursuant to a decision of the OECD Council.
Full participant(s): European Commission
Under the NEA Statute
Observer(s)(International Organisation): International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
By agreement
Date of creation:29 March 2019
End of mandate:29 March 2021

Mandate (Document reference):

  • Summary Record of the 42nd Working Party on Nuclear Emergency Matters held on 26‑27 October 2017 [ NEA/CRPPH/INEX(2017)6/PROV]
  • Summary of agreements and commitments of the 76th Meeting of the Committee on Radiological Protection and Public Health held on 10-12 April 2018 [NEA/CRPPH(2018)1].
  • Summary Record of the 43nd Working Party on Nuclear Emergency Matters held on 28-30 November 2018 [NEA/CRPPH/INEX(2018)4] (forthcoming)
  • Mandate of the Expert Group on the Use of Real-time Platforms (EGRT) [NEA/CRPPH/INEX(2018)1/PROV]

Mandate (Document extract):

Extract of document NEA/CRPPH/INEX(2018)1/PROV​

Mandate:

The Working Party on Nuclear Emergency Matters (WPNEM) has established the Expert Group on the use of Real-Time Platforms to facilitate cross-border and regional information exchange and coordination of countermeasures (EGRT) for member countries to collaboratively address improving cross-border co-ordination through the sharing of experience in the use of real-time information platforms in nuclear emergency management.

This Expert Group supports the mandate of the Committee for Radiological Protection and Public Health, which states, “the Committee shall … promote international collaboration on specific radiological protection and radiation-related public health topics of interest to the NEA member countries in the framework of the NEA Strategic Plan” [NEA/NE(2017)13]. The EGRT also support the WPNEM mission “to improve nuclear emergency management systems within NEA member countries, and to share its knowledge and experience widely” and, in particular, “to identify and investigate as appropriate further advancements in all aspects of emergency preparedness and response for nuclear/radiological emergencies (including accidents and consequence management of malicious acts)” [NEA/CRPPH/INEX(2016)4/REV1].

Objectives

The main objective of the EGRT is to review existing real-time platforms used in Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) in NEA member countries, with a view to facilitate cross-border and regional information exchange and co-ordination of countermeasures.

Methods of Working

  • The EGRT membership shall be composed of experts in EPR. Members may bring experts from their organisations to enrich the exchanges between the regulatory bodies.
  • Periodically, the EGRT will report to the CRPPH and assist the Committee with its work. 
  • The working methodology of the EGRT will be based on surveying and reviewing real-time platforms used in emergency preparedness and response in NEA member countries, highlighting how they can or cannot contribute to facilitate cross-border and regional information exchange and co-ordination of countermeasures.
  • In the development of its activities, the EGRT could also
    • investigate and assess how the member countries interact with formal information exchange systems i.e. Unified System for Information Exchange in Incidents and Emergencies (IAEA)/European Community Urgent Radiological Information Exchange (USIE/ECURIE);  
    • explore what opportunities exist (if any) for additional (less formal) information to be shared via these systems; and
    • identify any barriers to the use of existing tools, as far as is practicable within the context of national and international EPR strategies.

Interactions

The EGRT will interact as appropriate with other NEA standing technical committees and international organisations, such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the European Commission (EC) in order to apply the right expertise to the right issues and avoid duplicating efforts.

Deliverables

Report on the use of existing real-time platforms in NEA member countries, to facilitate cross-border and regional information exchange and coordination of countermeasures.