IAEAInternational Atomic Energy Agency

BASIC IRRS TRAININGLecture 17

IRRS Follow-up Mission

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Outline

• Learning Objectives• Objectives and goals of a follow-up

mission• Requesting an IRRS follow-up mission• Preparations for a follow-up mission• Review during a follow-up mission• Standard Follow-up Mission Report

Template• Standard Follow-up Mission Schedule

Basic IRRS Training - Follow-up mission

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Learning objectives

After finishing this lecture the trainee will:

• understand the objectives and goals of an IRRS follow-up mission;

• be acquainted with the preparations to a follow-up;• know how the results of the review process;• be familiar with the Standard Follow-up Mission

Report Template;• know the major steps to take during a follow-up

mission.

Basic IRRS Training - Follow-up mission

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Objectives and Goals (1)

Objectives:• The purpose of an IRRS follow-up

mission is to continue the work of improving regulatory effectiveness by reviewing the state’s progress in response to the initial IRRS mission recommendations or suggestions

• If requested by the state, an IRRS follow-up mission may also include the review of specific topical areas not previously covered (“extended follow-up mission”)

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Objectives and Goals (2)

Goals:• to review progress in

implementing improvements resulting from the initial IRRS mission recommendations or suggestions; and

• where appropriate, to address areas of significant change since the last mission including new topics as requested

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Requesting a follow-up mission

• An IRRS follow-up mission will normally be requested formally by the state through the IAEA Deputy Director General for Nuclear Safety and Security.

• In some circumstances the IAEA may suggest the state considers a follow-up mission

• Typically, a follow-up mission will take place two to four years following the initial IRRS mission

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Preparations for a follow-up (1)

• Setting up the group of participants:• IAEA Coordinator nominated• IRRS Team Leader and Deputy TL

recruited• Team recruited• Liaison contact with host established

• Organizing a Preparatory Meeting• approximately six months before the follow-up mission;• to consider specific purposes of the follow-up mission;• otherwise similar to the initial meeting.

Possibly the same persons as in the

initial mission

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Preparations for a follow-up (2)

Prior to the missions the reviewers need to• review the ARM for the follow-up

mission;• submit their first impressions two

weeks prior to the mission• get acquainted with the initial

mission report;• form a picture about the status of

the findings of the initial mission that are in their review areas.

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Review during a follow-up mission (1)

• Analysis of findings of the initial mission:• R/S is closed – the issue was fully addressed/resolved • R/S is closed on the basis of progress made and

confidence in effective completion – sufficient progress is reached in the issue and the reviewer expects full solution in the foreseeable future

• R/S remains open – no sufficient progress has been made in addressing the issue (i.e. none of those above)

• In exceptional circumstances, a R or S may no longer be relevant to the IRRS follow-up mission (e.g. for changes in the organization or legislation)

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Review during a follow-up mission (2)

• The follow-up mission may offer new observations:• in the new areas covered by an

extended follow-up;• if significant changes in the

reviewed areas since the last mission make it necessary;

• If issues, not revealed by the initial mission are observed during the follow-up review

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Standard Follow-up Mission Report Template (1)

In case of no recommendations or suggestions for a specific Module in the initial mission and no new observations in the follow up mission, only quote the chapter title of the original IRRS report and a conclusion as the example below:1. LEGISLATIVE AND GOVERNMENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES

There were no findings in this area in the original IRRS mission.

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Standard Follow-up Mission Report Template (2)

In case of recommendations or suggestions for a specific Module in the initial mission: • Quote the chapter/subchapter titles of the initial IRRS

mission report • Quote the recommendations or suggestions by the initial

mission• Describe what has been done in relation to the

recommendation or suggestion since the original mission • Describe what is the current status of the issue• State conclusion (example is given in the Template)• Describe whether there are any new observations (R, S,

GP) in the follow up mission related to the issue

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Standard Follow-up Mission Schedule (1)

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Standard Follow-up Mission Schedule (2)

Saturday (or 2 days prior to the mission start)• Arrival of the team• Informal dinner to get acquaintedSunday (1 day before start)• Team building

• Self-intro• Refresher training

• Initial team meeting• Details of the actual mission• First impressions and findings from ARM

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Standard Follow-up Mission Schedule (3)

Monday (first day of the mission)• Entrance Meeting: hosts present the

progress made since the initial mission• Interviews are started• Report writing is started

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Standard Follow-up Mission Schedule (4)

Tuesday (second day of the mission)• Interviews are continued (started

the previous day)• Preliminary findings (status of initial

recommendations, suggestions and the new ones) are to be submitted

Wednesday (third day of the mission)• Draft report text to be submitted• Team discusses draft report• Revision of report

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Standard Follow-up Mission Schedule (5)

Thursday (fourth day of the mission)• Submission of draft report to host

Friday (fifth day of the mission)• Obtaining host comments• Finalization of report• Final discussion and with the host

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Summary

• The follow-up missions are meant to review the progress made by the host since the initial mission

• The statuses of the initial findings are determined (open, closed, closed on progress & confidence)

• Further findings may be offered• The report is written in a standardized form• The schedule is tight, preliminary findings are due

on the second day, draft report on the third day

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION

Basic IRRS Training - Follow-up mission

Photo: V. Friedrich

This activity is conducted by the IAEA, with funding by the European Union. The views expressed in this presentation do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Commission

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Discussion

• As a reviewer, what are you expected to achieve in a follow-up mission?

• Can you formulate new observations in a follow-up mission?

• What is the time-frame available for you as a reviewer to complete their written preliminary findings?