Iraq enhances Radioactive Waste Management capabilities with completion of EU-Supported capacity building project

This initiative was implemented by Expertise France, the French Authority for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection (ASNR) and France’s National Radioactive Waste Management Agency (Andra), in close collaboration with the project End-User, the Iraqi Nuclear Regulatory Commission (I-NRC).

The project focused on three main objectives: to improve infrastructure rules related to radioactive waste disposal facilities; to strengthen the license management of disposal facilities; and to improve regulation and monitoring in the field of nuclear safety, namely radiation protection in the context of management, decommissioning, and clean-up of radioactive waste. 

Among the many significant outcomes of this project, Task 6 focused on Development of a “Quality Assurance and Quality Control Program” for ALPHA Spectroscopy in the nuclear analytical laboratory of the I-NRC stands out as a major achievement. Task 6 was carried out from March 17 to April 8, 2025.

A key highlight of Task 6 was a hands-on experience in field sampling of liquid releases, comprehensive analyses and controls in the laboratory, and practical insights into data exploitation and results transmission. 

The Task 6 ended with a technical visit from May 26 to 28, 2025, to the Centre de Stockage de l'Aube (CSA) monitoring centre and its surrounding environment in France. The delegation also toured the CSA laboratory facilities, reinforcing best practices in nuclear analytical techniques.   

 “With the European Union and technical partners’ (Expertise France, ASNR, and Andra) collaboration and support, the regulatory framework in Iraq witnessed considerable quantitative and qualitative improvement in its activities and work plans, especially within Task 6. For the environmental monitoring through field sampling of liquid releases, analyses, controls and PT in the laboratory” explained Dr. Sabah Nooruldeen, Vice Chairman of the I-NRC.

The closing event gathered key stakeholders from the European Union, I-NRC representatives, project implementer and technical partners (ASNR, Andra and Expertise France), who recognized the vital role of international collaboration in advancing nuclear regulatory capacities.

The European Union praises the commitment of Iraq to improved nuclear safety: the adoption of the I-NRC law in 2024 and the accession and entry into force of the Convention on Nuclear Safety and the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management in 2023-2024 are great achievements. They establish a sustainable cooperation framework and are fully in line with one of the main objectives of the INSC to strengthen regulators worldwide. 

The outcomes of this project are expected to significantly strengthen Iraq’s regulatory oversight and transparency in radioactive waste management and achieve a level of efficiency in line with international standards set by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and consistent with the best practices of the European Union.

Dr. Sabah Noorduldeen stated that “this project was crucial for the Iraqi Nuclear Regulatory Commission (I-NRC), to strengthen the I-NRC's future needs to establish and improve the regulatory infrastructure through an effective and efficient capacity building at all institutional, organizational, and technical levels, especially in strengthening the I-NRC employees’ knowledge and capabilities on the regulatory oversight of various stages of radioactive waste management and the regulatory control (authorization and inspection) of the radioactive waste facilities. 

In addition, the project provided a great opportunity to I-NRC in the development of regulatory review of the required documents for authorization of these facilities, including the evaluation and assessment of the safety case based on IAEA safety standards and European Union good practices, figure out the robust input data necessary to complete a safety case of the future disposal facility, and understanding the review process of the safety case according to the disposal developments based on the design and the safety assessments outcomes” 

Expertise France

Expertise France is France’s public agency and interministerial actor in charge of international technical cooperation, the second-largest in Europe. As a subsidiary of Agence Française de Développement Group (AFD Group), it designs and implements projects that sustainably strengthen public policies in developing and emerging countries. Expertise France works in key areas of development: governance, security, climate change, health, education, and more. Alongside its partners, it contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Know-how in common.

French Authority for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection (ASNR) 

The French Authority for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection (ASNR) oversees civil nuclear activities in France and is responsible for nuclear safety and radiation protection. Established on January 1^st, 2025, it was formed from the merger of the ASN and IRSN. The ASNR plays a crucial role in the governance of nuclear safety in France, ensuring high safety standards and international cooperation in the field.

French National Agency for Radioactive Waste Management (ANDRA)

Established as an independent structure in 1991, the French National Agency for Radioactive Waste Management, Andra, is responsible for identifying, developing, implementing, operating and guaranteeing safe and sustainable management solutions for all French radioactive waste, to protect present and future generations from the risks inherent in such substances. 

National Nuclear, Radiological, Chemical and Biological Regulatory Commission (I-NRC)

The National Nuclear, Radiological, Chemical and Biological Regulatory Commission (I-NRC) was created based on the law No. 1 in 2024, on April 8th, 2024. According to the new law, the former three regulatory authorities, Radiation Protection Center (RPC) in the Ministry of Environment, Iraqi Radioactive Sources Regulatory Authority (IRSRA), and Iraqi National Monitoring Authority (INMA) were repealed (combined into the new entity), and their rights, properties, possession, obligations, and their employees transferred to the I-NRC. According to the Law, the I-NRC is responsible for regulatory oversight for all the nuclear and radiological activities and facilities in Iraq (Safety, Security, and Safeguards).

- Mr. Xavier Pinsolle, European Commission Project Manager - Nuclear Safety and Safeguards, Directorate-General for International Partnerships - xavier.pinsolle@ec.europa.eu 

-Mrs. Claire Bouchereau, Project Manager for Expertise France - claire.bouchereau@expertisefrance.fr

-Dr. Sabah Nooruldeen, Vice Chairman of the Iraqi Nuclear Regulatory Commission - env.rpc@gmail.com