NEA Mandates and Structures

Working Party on Nuclear Emergency Matters (WPNEM)

Mandate (Document reference):

• CRPPH – Report on the First International Nuclear Emergency Exercise (INEX 1) [NEA/SEN/SAN(93)2]
• Terms of Reference of the Expert Group on Nuclear Emergency Matters [NEA/INEX/DOC(93)2]
• Summary Record of the 51st Meeting of the CRPPH [NEA/SEN/SAN(93)8]
• Terms of Reference of the WPNEM 2000-2003 [NEA/CRPPH/INEX(2000)5]
• Summary Record of the 58th Meeting of the CRPPH [NEA/CRPPH(2000)12]
• Terms of Reference of the WPNEM 2014-2016 [NEA/CRPPH/INEX(2014)/REV1]
• CRPPH-72 Agreements and Commitments [NEA/CRPPH(2014)9]
• WPNEM Mandate History and Accomplishments [NEA/CRPPH/INEX(2016)6]
• Summary Record of the 74th Meeting of the CRPPH [NEA/CRPPH(2016)4/REV1]
• Draft Terms of Reference of the WPNEM 2017-2020 [NEA/CRPPH/INEX(2016)4/PROV]
• Summary Record of the 75th Meeting of the CRPPH [NEA/CRPPH(2017)2 Forthcoming]
• Terms of Reference of the CRPPH Working Party on Nuclear Emergencies Matters (WPNEM) 2017-2020 [NEA/CRPPH/INEX(2017)4]
• Mandate of the Working Party on Nuclear Emergency Matters (WPNEM) [NEA/CRPPH/INEX(2020)1/FINAL]

Mandate (Document extract):

Extracts from document NEA/CRPPH/INEX(2020)1/FINAL

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Scope

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The mission of the WPNEM is to improve nuclear emergency management systems within NEA member countries, and to share its knowledge and experience widely.

In this context, emergency matters refer to all aspects of, preparedness and response for, the "early" and "intermediate" phases of a nuclear/radiological emergency (including accidents and consequence management of malicious acts), with a view to prepare appropriate recovery actions.

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Programme of work

The WPNEM develops its programme of work by identifying and analysing areas for improvement in emergency management systems and by reporting and sharing the findings. The programme of work is developed in co-ordination with NEA member countries and other relevant organisations.

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Working methods and principles

The WPNEM employs a flexible and general approach to address issues across the entire spectrum of nuclear and radiological emergency management, from preparedness to transition and recovery. Participants share information, data, knowledge, and experience to test all aspects of emergency management systems and theories, identify gaps and provide recommended strategies to improve nuclear emergency management worldwide.

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Interactions

The field of emergency preparedness and response (EPR) is broad, complex and involves many stakeholders. In this framework and in view of fulfilling its mandate, the WPNEM will seek international collaboration on specific emergency matters of interest to the NEA member countries in the framework of the NEA Strategic Plan and the CRPPH Mandate. For this, the WPNEM will work in close co-operation, as appropriate, with other NEA Standing Technical Committees and NEA divisions, as well as competent bodies within relevant OECD directorates and other international organisations active in the field of emergency preparedness, response and transition to recovery.

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Field of Activity

Since its creation, a key aspect of WPNEM’s efforts has been centred on preparing, conducting and evaluating the International Nuclear Emergency Exercise (INEX) series, which has been organised by the WPNEM since 1993. The experiences and lessons learned from these exercises have provided a substantial base for the development of subsequent strategies and recommendations for improving emergency management systems nationally and internationally. The identification of INEX outcomes has been the major driver of the Programme of Work of the WPNEM. Based on this experience, the fields of activity of the WPNEM would cover subjects of interest, such as:

• Continue the work and identify future needs for next INEX series exercises where appropriate in an harmonious manner with other international exercises;
• Continue INEX series post-exercise evaluations where relevant, including the follow-up to the INEX exercises, conduct international workshops/topical sessions and other relevant activities as appropriate, and publish reports to enable improvements to nuclear/radiological emergency management systems and follow-up activities as appropriate;
• Provide a framework for validation of relevant products, such as codes, requirements, agreements or activities co-ordinated in advance within the WPNEM. Such products may include those developed by or in co-ordination with other international and/or inter-governmental organisations or bodies;
• Identify and investigate as appropriate further advancements in all aspects of EPR for nuclear/radiological emergencies (including accidents and consequence management of malicious acts), for example:
  • implementation of recommendations issued by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) and the IAEA International Basic Safety Standards for emergency situations, and the General Safety Requirements N°GSR Part 7 (IAEA, 2015);
  • management of early counter-measures (implementation, withdrawal, modification);
  • practices for termination of counter-measures;
  • efficient emergency communication;
  • long-term issues of emergency decision making;
  • consequences of emergency management and the transition to recovery;
  • practical implementation of optimisation in EPR through the use of  Reference Levels;
  • management of large scale contamination of food and feeding stuff;
  • international harmonisation;
  • information exchange of best practices;
  • approaches to stakeholder involvement;
  • strategies for implementation of lessons identified;
  • third party liability issues;
  • integrated approaches with other non-nuclear disciplines;
  • psychological, societal and public information aspects;
  • assessment of potential emergency exposure situations;  

• As needed, review and update WPNEM documents and reports;
• Provide input as appropriate for the development of international standards and recommendations on emergency management, such as ICRP and IAEA documents;
• Develop, co-ordinate and evaluate WPNEM objectives for inclusion in international exercises such as those co-ordinated through the Inter-Agency Committee on Radiological and Nuclear Emergencies (IACRNE); and
• Develop and periodically update a strategic direction document for the WPNEM.

This Mandate will be used as the basis for the yearly programme of work. It will enter into force from 1 June 2020 and expire on 31 May 2023.