​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Regulatory Forum for Safety of Uranium Production and NORM (REGSUN)

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Uranium production and management of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) have important safety and environmental protection considerations. Additional challenges are posed by new applications for uranium production, as well as increasing expectations for protection of health and the environment.

Activities involving NORM residues are broad and most have not been managed in terms of radiation safety. It is a common challenge that majority of the Member States are facing in dealing with activities and residues involving NORM. IAEA Safety Standards No. SSG-60 Management of Residues Containing Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material from Uranium Production and Other Activities is intended to address issues related to NORM residues inlcuding arising from uranium production activities in a safe, graded and integrated approach.

The SSG-60 provides recommendations on the establishment of an appropriate regulatory framework for the management of naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) residues in an integrated manner and using a graded approach. It also elaborates on roles and responsibilities, options for management of NORM residues, considerations of long term safety of NORM residues, and exemption and clearance. The publication is targeted at regulatory bodies, operating organizations, technical support organizations and other parties who are interested and involved in management of NORM residues.​

The IAEA launched REGSUN in 2018 with aim to help with capacity building in Member States undertaking or considering uranium production or the management of NORM activities and NORM residues, in particular to:

• Promote good regulations and safe and environmentally responsible practices through the application of IAEA Safety Standards; 
• Promote and increase the exchange of information and expertise among its participants, including providing regular updates on best practice, offering targeted assistance in review and provision of expertise, and identifying gaps in guidance and support;
• Support the development and utilization of IAEA tools and training materials;
• Provide strategic input for future IAEA work in areas related to safety of uranium production and NORM activities;
• Assist Member States to implement a sound regulatory regime for the regulation of uranium production and the management of NORM activities and residues.

Upcoming Events

• ​International Conference on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management, Decommissioning, Environmental Protection and Remediation:Ensuring Safety and Enabling SustainabilityIAEA HeadquartersVienna, Austria6–10 November 2023​​​

​​​Publications

IAEA Safety Standards Series No. SSG-60 Management of Residues Containing Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material from Uranium Production and Other Activities​

The IAEA Safety Standards Series No. SSG-60 Management of Residues Containing Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material from Uranium Production and Other Activities has been published online.

​Management of Residues Containing Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material from Uranium Production and Other Activities | IAEA

An epub file suitable for reading ​on tablets and other devices. The epub offers a number of features, including linked references and easier personal bookmarking and notes.

HERCA published guidance 'Application of the concepts of exemption and clearance to the regulation of naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) across HERCA countries'. It is available at the HERCA website https://www.herca.org/new-guidance-on-norm/

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