About Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB):
- It is India’s premier regulatory authority for nuclear and radiation safety.
- Background:
- The AERB was constituted on November 15, 1983, by the President of India by exercising the powers conferred by the Atomic Energy Act, 1962.
- The regulatory authority of AERB is derived from the rules and notifications promulgated under the Atomic Energy Act and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
- Objective: To ensure the use of ionizing radiation and nuclear energy in India does not cause undue risk to the health of people and the environment.
- Headquarters: Mumbai.
- Composition:
- It comprises six members, of which two are full-time members including the chairman.
- The other whole-time member is the executive director of the AERB Secretariat, who is an ex-officio member of the Board.
- The other four members are eminent experts from various disciplines relevant to the mandate of the board.
- The Board reports to the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), which in turn reports to the Prime Minister.
- Regional Regulatory Centres (RRCs) of AERB set up at Kolkata, Chennai, and New Delhi carry out regular surveillance of the radiation facilities in eastern, southern, and northern zones, respectively.
- AERB has a Safety Research Institute (SRI) located at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, which carries out research in safety-related topics.
- Functions:
- Develop safety policies in nuclear, radiation, and industrial safety areas for facilities under its purview.
- Develop Safety Codes, Guides, and Standards for siting, design, construction, commissioning, operation, and decommissioning of different types of nuclear and radiation facilities.
- Grant consents for siting, construction, commissioning, operation, and decommissioning, after an appropriate safety review and assessment, for the establishment of nuclear and radiation facilities.
- Ensure compliance with the regulatory requirements prescribed by AERB during all stages of consenting through a system of review and assessment, regulatory inspection, and enforcement.
- Prescribe the acceptance limits of radiation exposure to occupational workers and members of the public and acceptable limits of environmental releases of radioactive substances.
- Review the emergency preparedness plans for nuclear and radiation facilities and during transport of large radioactive sources, irradiated fuel, and fissile material.
- Review the training program, qualifications, and licensing policies for personnel of nuclear and radiation facilities and prescribe the syllabi for training of personnel in safety aspects at all levels.
- Take such steps as necessary to keep the public informed on major issues of radiological safety significance.
- Maintain liaison with statutory bodies in the country as well as abroad regarding safety matters.
- Promote research and development efforts in the areas of safety.
- Review the nuclear and industrial safety aspects in nuclear facilities under its purview.
- Notifying the public of the 'nuclear incident', occurring in the nuclear installations in India, as mandated by the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010.
