Press releases
U.S. and South Africa Agree to Continue Work on Nuclear Safety
September 3, 2009
Pretoria - On August 24, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) of the Republic of South Africa signed an Implementing Agreement allowing the NNR to participate in the NRC Cooperative Severe Accident Research Program (CSARP). This program facilitates joint information exchange, periodic analysis, and data for additional code validation and verification. It will expand the U.S. and South Africa's data and knowledge base in the area of severe accident research. The agreement will remain in effect for 5 years.
The American NRC and the NNR have had a cooperative relationship in the area of nuclear safety and security since 1994. This meeting concluded with the NRC's commitment to cooperate and provide assistance to South Africa for training and capacity building in the area of nuclear safety and security.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) was created as an independent agency by the U.S. Congress in 1974 to enable the nation to safely use radioactive materials for beneficial civilian purposes while ensuring that people and the environment are protected. The NRC regulates commercial nuclear power plants and other uses of nuclear materials, such as in nuclear medicine, through licensing, inspection and enforcement of its requirements.
The NRC conducts confirmatory regulatory research in partnership with nuclear safety agencies and institutes in more than 20 countries. This research supports regulatory decisions on emerging technologies, aging equipment and facilities, and various other safety issues. NRC and other nuclear regulatory and safety organizations carry out cooperative research projects to achieve mutual research needs with greater efficiency. http://www.nrc.gov/
For more information, please contact Embassy press officer:
Sharon Hudson-Dean 012-431-4659