Context
Recently, the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board has granted approval for the installation of major equipment at the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project, marking an important step in the project’s ongoing development.
About Atomic Energy Regulatory Board
- The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board is India’s main authority responsible for regulating nuclear and radiation safety.
- It ensures that the use of nuclear energy and ionising radiation does not pose risks to human health or the environment.
- The organisation is headquartered in Mumbai.
Establishment & Legal Basis
- AERB was set up on 15 November 1983 under the provisions of the Atomic Energy Act, 1962.
- Its regulatory powers also come from related rules under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
- It works under the overall supervision of the Atomic Energy Commission.
Structure & Composition
- The board consists of six members, including two full-time members (one being the Chairperson).
- The Executive Director of the AERB Secretariat serves as an ex-officio member.
- The remaining members are experts from different scientific and technical fields related to nuclear safety.
Key Functions
- Sets safety standards, codes, and guidelines for nuclear and radiation-related facilities.
- Reviews and grants approvals for different stages such as site selection, construction, operation, and decommissioning of nuclear installations.
- Issues mandatory licences for organisations handling nuclear energy or ionising radiation.
- Conducts safety oversight for facilities under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), including industrial safety enforcement where applicable.
