Malta has become the latest State party to the Convention on Nuclear Safety, with the law ratifying the convention having come into force as Maltese legislation on 1 January.
The convention’s objectives are to maintain nuclear safety worldwide through international co-operation and safety-related technical co-operation. The convention also aspires to maintain effective defences against potential radiological hazards, and to prevent accidents with radiological consequences.
Malta signed the convention last November.
The Radiation Protection Board will be the competent authority responsible for the implementation of the convention’s obligations. The board has the authority to develop regulations and guidance to protect people and the environment from harmful exposure to radiation.
Anyone who furnishes any false information related to nuclear safety, or refuses to answer to any question by a Radiation Protection Board representative with respect to nuclear safety faces up to five years’ imprisonment and a Lm50,000 fine.
The Convention on Nuclear Safety was adopted in Vienna in 1994 to legally commit countries operating land-based nuclear power plants to maintain high levels of safety.
The obligations of the parties cover the siting, design, construction, operation, the availability of adequate financial and human resources, the assessment and verification of safety, quality assurance and emergency preparedness.
The Convention however does not ensure the fulfillment of the obligations through control and sanction, but is based on states’ common interest to achieve higher levels of safety which will be developed and promoted through regular meetings of the Parties.
All parties are obliged to submit reports on the implementation of their obligations for “peer review” at meetings at the International Atomic Energy Agency.