PHARE

The following projects have been completed in the framework of co-operation with the EU under the PHARE Programme, which started in 2002 and the NRA is beneficiary, namely:

• Safety analysis report of Kozloduy NPP units 5 and 6 review and assessment in compliance with international requirements;
• Assistance to the Bulgarian Nuclear Regulatory Agency (BNRA) in capacity building in the areas of regulatory guides, assessment capabilities, staff training and quality management;
• Assistance to the Bulgarian Nuclear Regulatory Agency (BNRA) in establishing of the regulatory requirements on the base of assessment of the Probabilistic Safety Assessment Reports (PSA) of Kozlodui Nuclear Power Plant (KzNPP) units 5 and 6
• Improvement of the regulatory infrastructure in the field of transport of radioactive materials including prevention of illicit trafficking
• Improvement of the regulatory infrastructure in the field of radiation protection and application of good European practice for safe management of highly radioactive sources of ionizing radiation
• Development of the Bulgarian legislation in the field of “NORM” and “TENORM”

As of the beginning of 2007, following the decisions of the EC, new programme instruments with a 5 year programme cycle were established, respectively, IPA (Instrument for Pre-Accession) replacing the PHARE programme and INSC (Instrument for Nuclear Safety Co-operation), replacing TACIS. The purpose for the establishment of these two new instruments is the enlargement of the number of countries, eligible to receive the respective assistance in the fields of enhancement nuclear safety and radiation protection. In its capacity as EU member state, Bulgaria will undertake the role of country rendering assistance to other countries outside the Union.