Finland

Nuclear regulatory authority

Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK http://www.stuk.fi/) is an independent governmental organisation for the regulatory control of radiation and nuclear safety in Finland. STUK’s duties include, among others:

• Regulatory control of safety of the use of nuclear energy, emergency preparedness, physical security and nuclear materials:
• STUK also oversees research, development and planning work for the final disposal of spent nuclear fuel;
• In addition to nuclear power plants, STUK regulates the research reactor;
• STUK oversees the safety of the transportation of nuclear waste and radioactive materials;
• Regulatory control of the use of radiation and other radiation practices.

The Ministry of Employment and the Economy (MEE) is responsible for the supreme command and control of nuclear energy matters in Finland. It conducts preparations and administration of the licensing process regarding a nuclear power plant, storage for spent nuclear fuel, a nuclear waste disposal facility or another significant nuclear facility. Licences are granted by the government.

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is responsible for the supreme authority and executive direction on the supervision of practices involving exposure to radiation.

Nuclear activities

 Nuclear power plants in Finland:

Fortum Power and Heat Oy owns the Loviisa 1 and 2 plant units located in Loviisa.Teollisuuden Voima Oy (TVO) owns the Olkiluoto 1 and 2 plant units located in Olkiluoto, Eurajoki, and the Olkiluoto 3 plant unit under construction.

The FiR 1 research reactor (TRIGA Mark II, 250 kW, in operation from March 1962) is operated by the Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT). The reactor is used for the fabrication of radioactive tracers, activation analysis, student training and Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) treatment of tumours, as well as the development of therapeutic methods. Use of radiation and other radiation practices includes health care, industry, research, education, trade and servicing operations as well as practices causing exposure to natural radiation.

Radioactive waste and spent fuel management

At both current nuclear power plant sites, Olkiluoto and Loviisa there is an operating disposal facility for low and intermediate level waste from the operation pf the reactors.

A joint waste management company, Posiva Oy, was established by Fortum Power and Heat Oy and Teollisuuden Voima Oy to take care of the disposal of spent fuel from the nuclear power plants they operate. Posiva Oy is constructing an underground research facility (Onkalo) in Olkiluoto. Posiva has designed Onkalo to function as one of the entrance routes to the planned final disposal facility, so STUK is applying the same regulatory procedures to the construction of Onkalo as those of a nuclear facility.

Main legal instruments

The main legal instruments on these issues are:
Administrative Procedure Act (434/2003); Act on the Openness of the Government Activities (621/1999); Nuclear Energy Act (990/1987); Nuclear Energy Decree (161/1988); Government Decree on the safety of disposal of nuclear waste (736/2008); Government Decree on Emergency Response Arrangements at Nuclear Power Plants (735/2008); Government Decree on the Security in the Use of Nuclear Energy (734/2008); Government Decree on the Safety of Nuclear Power Plants (733/2008); Nuclear Liability Act (484/1972); Radiation Act (592/1991); Radiation Degree (1512/1991); Act on the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (1069/1983); and Decree on the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority of Finland (618/1997).