The Netherlands

Nuclear regulatory authority

The main regulator is the Ministry of Economy Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation (the Ministry of EL&I), in consultation with other minsters for activities which fall within their particular sphere of competence. Within the Ministry of EL&I, the Directorate of Energy and Sustainability is responsible for licensing, legislation and policy development. The Department of Nuclear Safety, Security & Safeguards (the KFD, KernFysische Dienst) is responsible for assessment, inspection, enforcement and the technical advising of the policy directorate.

Nuclear activities

There is one nuclear power plant in operation, one plant under decommissioning (at the safe enclosure stage), three research reactors, and one centralized storage facility for waste.

Radioactive waste and spent fuel management

Main legal instruments

The Nuclear Energy Act (Kernenergiewet, Kew) is the main legal instrument. It regulates the use of nuclear energy and radioactive techniques and lays down rules for the protection of the public and workers against the associated risks. Based on this act, the most important decrees in relation to the safety aspects of nuclear installations are: the Nuclear Installations, Fissionable Materials and Ores Decree (Bkse); the Radiation Protection Decree (Bs); and the Transport of Fissionable Materials, Ores and Radioactive Substances Decree (Bvser).

Other important laws to which nuclear installations are subject are The Environmental Protection Act (Wet, Milieubeheer, Wm); and the General Administrative Act (Algemene wet bestuursrecht, Awb).