ARMENIA

1. Regional Workshop on National Strategies for Education and Training (E&T) in Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety: Policy Framework and Analysis of E&T Needs 5 - 7 October 2016, Nicosia, Cyprus SESSION 3 Policy Framework ARMENIA Nelli Aghajanyan (ANRA)

2. The Armenian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (ANRA) was established under the RA Government Decree № 573 as of 16 November 1993 as a state authority under the RA Government empowered to regulate the nuclear and radiation safety in the atomic energy utilization field. In the period 2002-2008 the ANRA functioned within the Ministry for Nature Protection of the RA in the status of the inspectorate; in May 2008 under the Ordinance issued by the RA President the inspectorate was reorganized into the State Committee under the Government of the RA on Nuclear Safety Regulation. The statute and the organizational chart of the ANRA were approved under the RA Government Decree № 866 as of 17 June 2008. The ANRA is the republican body of the executive power implementing the state regulation of the atomic energy utilization field aimed to ensure the safety of population and personnel, environmental safety and to defend safety interests of the Republic of Armenia. Introduction

3. Introduction

4. The requirements on education, training, qualification and competence of personnel (RPO, staff of regulatory body, health professionals, emergency preparedness and response personnel, etc.) engaged in activities relevant to protection and safety are included in the “Policy Template” file provided to the IAEA on 23th of September Introduction

5. No specific Policy document for Education and Training in Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety is established in the Republic of Armenia. However, in pursuance of the requirement 1 of GSR Part 1 the National Policy elements for safety are settled in: • Law of the Republic of Armenia for the safe utilization of atomic energy for peaceful purposes and the need and provision for human resources are provided for in the Articles stated below: • Article 15: the personnel training and retraining in atomic energy utilization field shall be covered under the state regulation of safety in atomic energy utilization field; • Article 20: the operating organization organizes the recruitment and training of skilled personnel to work in the atomic energy utilization installation, or with nuclear and radioactive materials. • Law on licensing- Article 43: the individuals implementing practices and holding positions important for safety of atomic energy utilization field pass the qualification check in the course of licensing. Overview on the Policy document

6. Furthermore, the Government Decrees arrange the specific aspects related to the competence building and maintenance, e.g.: • Government Decree No. 768 as of 22.12.1999 establishes the list of activities and positions important in terms of safety and serves as basis for the maintenance of system of licensing of individuals implementing practices and holding positions important for safety in atomic energy utilization field (e.g. NPP staff, health professionals and etc.). License renewal and corresponding qualification check is obligatory once in two years for NPP staff and once in 10 years for other staff (health professionals, industrial workers, etc.). • Government Decree No. 1489 as of 18.08.2006 on approval of Radiation Safety Rules obliges that the personnel of category A and B before undertaking the job should be trained, instructed and examined for knowledge (in the scope specified in the job descriptions) of the radiation safety rules and norms, work instructions. The procedure and frequency of examination are defined by the operating organization of the atomic energy utilization object important to the safety, and for other atomic energy utilization objects – by person holding licence for implementation of practices with anthropogenic radiation sources. Overview on the Policy document

7. Government Decree No. 640 as of 12.07.2001 on “Procedure on organization and conduct of safety expertise in the nuclear energy utilization” specifies that the legal entities and physical persons shall hold licence (permission), granted by the regulatory authority, to perform expertise in nuclear and radiation field. • Government Decrees on licensing of different activities (e.g. GD 1751 as of 09.12.2004 on “Procedure on licensing of use of radioactive materials or equipment containing radioactive materials or generators”; GD 652 as of 19.05.2005 on “Procedure on licensing of operation of radioactive waste storage facilities”; GD 707 as of 01.06.2005 on “Procedure on licensing of decommissioning of nuclear facilities”, etc.) require the submission of information about the staff education and qualification, copies of their diplomas and certificates on trainings and retraining (training programs, instructions, methodologies, etc). Overview on the Policy document

8. The Protocol Decree No. 26 as of 08.06.2010 sets educational aspects and two main educational centers (Yerevan State Engineering University and Yerevan State University) were assigned to establish the educational program for preparation an experts in the field of atomic energy (the program mainly dedicated to operational staff for Armenian Nuclear Power Plant). Currently the main educational centers in the Republic of Armenia are: Yerevan State University and Yerevan State Engineering University (in atomic energy utilization field) and Yerevan State Medical University (in the field of medical radiology diagnostic and intervention radiology, nuclear medicine, radiotherapy, brachytherapy and etc.). Overview on the Policy document

9. Work Plan to establish a national strategy for education and training in radiation, transport and waste safety was drafted and provided to the IAEA observation during the Regional Workshop on sharing experience and progress made in establishing a National Strategy for E&T held in Greece on 08-12 July 2013 The National Strategy of Armenia for Education and Training in Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety is not yet approved. National Strategy for Education and Training

10. In accordance with the Work Plan mentioned, the national stakeholders and key-players for the establishment of the national strategy are: • Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources • Ministry of Healthcare • Ministry of Industry • Ministry of Education and Science • ANRA • Customs service Relevant Stakeholders

11. The establishment of a national strategy for education and training is essential to ensure: • systematic approach to management of human resources and competences, including both a short and long term strategy • formal periodic, systematic assessment and oversight of the effectiveness of educational and training programmes • enhancement of national resources by the establishment of dedicated training centre/provider with the specialized training courses • compliance with requirements of IAEA safety standards with the purpose to bring the safety level of atomic energy utilization field in compliance with the international criteria Moving towards a National Strategy