European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom)

At a European level, the agreement on atomic energy which links all 27 European Union member states arose out of the treaty which established the European Atomic Energy Community (EAEC Treaty (in German only)). The EAEC Treaty is one of the Treaties of Rome which were signed in 1957. The European Atomic Energy Community shares all the same organs as the European Union, yet remains an independent organisation.

European Atomic Energy Community remit

Pursuant to Article 2 of the EAEC Treaty, Euratom’s remit is as follows:

• To promote research and disseminate technical knowledge and expertise
  At regular intervals the European Commission publishes a list of those nuclear energy research fields which it considers require additional research. Furthermore the Commission also founded a Joint Research Centre (JRC), which operates in the fields of Community nuclear research and Community research into areas such as environmental protection or food safety.
• To create uniform safety standards for the protection of the health of workers and the general public
  These safety standards include, for instance, Council directive 96/29/Euratom laying down basic safety standards for the protection of the health of workers and the general public against the dangers arising from ionising radiation which is based on Articles 31 and 32 of the EAEC Treaty.
  Pursuant to Article 37 of the EAEC Treaty, every member state is obliged to supply the European Commission with general details relating to every planned disposal of radioactive waste. The European Commission then delivers its opinion following consultation with the group of experts named in Article 31 of the EAEC Treaty.
• To facilitate investment and guarantee the creation of considerable assets necessary for developing nuclear energy in the member states
  The European Commission specifically publishes programmes on investments considered essential for the generation of nuclear energy with the aim of stimulating individuals and companies into taking the initiative and facilitating the co-ordinated development of investments in the nuclear field.
• To ensure the regular and equitable supply of all consumers within Community territory with ores and nuclear fuels
  According to the principle of equal access to sources of supply, the supply of ores, source materials and special fissile materials is guaranteed by means of a common supply policy. This task is entrusted to the Euratom Supply Agency.
• To monitor the use of nuclear fuels in the interests of the member states’ external and internal security ("safeguards")
  Using suitable monitoring measures, Euratom aims to guarantee that civil nuclear materials are not diverted for other (in particular military) purposes. Euratom assumes sole responsibility for this task. The EAEC Treaty stipulates a comprehensive and strict monitoring system which allows the European Commission to send inspectors into the sovereign territory of member states. Euratom safeguards and IAEA safeguards are agreed within the scope of trilateral treaties involving member states, the Community and the IAEA.
• Exercise of the right to ownership with regard to special fissile materials
  Special fissile materials (e.g. plutonium 239, uranium 233; cf. Article 197 of the EAEC Treaty) are the property of the Community. Member states, individuals, or companies have the unlimited right of use and consumption of special fissile materials as a matter of principle.
• To create large markets and access to the best technical means available
  The EAEC Treaty confers on the Community a number of different powers to promote, coordinate and focus national stakeholders' investments in the nuclear field within a Community context. This includes the creation of a common market in specialised materials and equipment, the free movement of capital for investment in the field of nuclear energy, and freedom of employment for specialists within the Community;
• To establish suitable links with other countries and international organisations
  Euratom aims to foster progress in the peaceful use of nuclear energy through collaboration with other countries and international organisations (e.g. IAEA). Euratom agreements currently exist with numerous countries such as the United States of America, Australia, or Canada.

Institutional Structure of the European Atomic Energy Community

Euratom shares the same organs as the European Union. The institutions mentioned below are of particular relevance to Euratom. There are also other European bodies that are involved in the development of nuclear energy within the Community.

The European Parliament (EP)

Pursuant to the EAEC Treaty, in the legislative process the European Parliament only has the right to express an opinion and direct questions to the Council (known as the right to be heard). In the European Parliament, plenary decisions are preceded by debate at parliamentary committee level. The EP has set up 20 standing committees to fulfil this role.

• The Standing Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE)
  ITRE is responsible for the nuclear sector, including all Joint Research Centre (JRC) activities, the ITER project (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) and other projects in this field, the EAEC Treaty, the Euratom Supply Agency, nuclear safety, the decommissioning of nuclear facilities, and nuclear waste management.

The Council of the European Union (Council) and its bodies

The Council of the European Union is supported by the Permanent Representatives Committee (French abbreviation: COREPER). COREPER prepares the dossiers required by the Council agenda for its meetings. In turn COREPER is assisted by working parties as needed, on either a short or long-term basis. Council working parties principally engage in examining European Commission legislative proposals with the aim of precipitating the final decision stage in the Council of the European Union. The working parties represent the first phase of addressing a project within the Council.

• The Council Working Party on Atomic Questions (WPAQ)
  Within the Council, WPAQ is responsible for all issues relating to nuclear power and nuclear safety that are of interest to the Community. The WPAQ assists COREPER II (= college of ambassadors to the EU; see also in this context the German Permanent Representation to the European Union in Brussels), which covers the area of Euratom. COREPER I also exists (= college of deputy ambassadors). Basic policy issues relating to the EAEC Treaty are under the aegis of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi).

The European Commission, its bodies and programmes

As well as independent administrative units and special offices, the administrative structure of the European Commission also consists of various directorates-general (DG).

• European Commission Directorates-General
  As an EU Commission organisational working unit, the Directorate-General for Energy (DG ENERGY) is made up of five directorates. Based in Luxembourg, the directorates for nuclear energy and nuclear safety monitoring ("safeguards") are responsible for coordinating nuclear policy, nuclear safety measures, and radiation protection inspections. The field of ionising radiation is covered by the "radiation protection" unit which is assigned to the nuclear energy directorate. The Euratom Supply Agency, which guarantees the supply of raw materials, is monitored by the European Commission and is accountable to the DG ENER.