Nuclear regulatory authority
This is the responsibility of the President of the National Atomic Energy Agency (PAA), which is a central organ of governmental administration with competence for nuclear safety and radiological protection issues. It is an independent authority regulating nuclear, radiation, transport and waste safety, security and safeguards as well as radiation emergency preparedness, under the administrative supervision of the Minister of Environment. PAA employs around 120 people.
Nuclear activities
Poland has no nuclear power plants. In January 2014 Polish Council of Ministers adopted the Polish Nuclear Power Programme, which envisions the construction of country's first nuclear power plant by 2024. Since 2009 the PAA has undergone restructuring and expensive preparation in response to the PNPP.
There are two research reactors in Poland: MARIA (30 MWt) is currently in operation, and EWA is undergoing decommissioning. Both reactors are located at National Centre for Nuclear Research in Swierk (about 25 km from Warsaw).
PAA supervises safety of nuclear facilities and the conduct of activities, carries out inspections ad safety assessment, issues licenses and possible sanctions.
Radioactive waste and spent fuel management
The National Radioactive Waste Repository (located in small town Rozan) is a near-surface repository dedicated for a disposal of short-lived, low- and intermediate- activity radioactive waste and sealed radioactive sources. It has been in operation since 1961 and belongs to the National Nuclear Waste Utilization Plant (ZUOP). The spent fuel storage facilities are located in Swierk. There are also over 5 000 registered activities with radiation potential for public exposure and radioactive waste.
PAA is in charge of control of the safety of storage and disposal facilities.
Main legal instruments
The key legal document is the Act of Parliament of 29 November 2000 - Atomic Law (O.J. 2017, Items 576 and 935) and over 40 supporting regulations issued by the Council of Ministers, the Minister of Health, the Minister of Environment, the Minister of Interior and Administration, the Minister of Finances and the Minister of Economy.
The full text of the Atomic Law (in Polish) and relevant regulations are available on the PAA website.
Last updated in August 2017
