Public information

What kind of information is available?

Although national regulators communicate proactively on nuclear safety matters, they also provide specific primary material. In addition, they have the duty to release information on request, in some circumstances. 

Practices vary in different countries, but the following are examples:

1. Documents made available by national regulators
   • Press releases or information notices
   • Publications (annual reports, information leaflets)
   • Conferences, workshops and exhibitions
   • Primary materials: outcomes from incident investigations; inspection follow-up letters
2. Documents released on request by regulators or other bodies
   Specific pieces of legislation related to the freedom of information have emerged in Europe in order to ensure public access to information held by public bodies. Under this legislation, national regulators make documents available to the general public, sometimes subject to sections being withheld, for instance to ensure national security or to protect personal identities.
3. Direct communication ensured by operators
   An additional source of information, to the regulators, can be the companies that operate nuclear power installations – licensees. They take a variety of measures to inform the public, in particular people living around the site of a nuclear installation. Such measures might include information on its operation, including safety matters - delivered through organised visits or local meetings.

Where to get information?

The many types of information listed above can be found on national regulators' websites or by visiting their information centres. Operators' websites are also a useful source of information on particular nuclear facilities.

Find your national regulator