Bilateral collaboration in the field of nuclear safety

Bilateral agreements involving 56 states currently exist in the field of nuclear safety and radiation protection.

Germany has entered bilateral agreements with six neighbouring countries regarding the exchange of information concerning nuclear installations located in border regions. An extensive network of contacts exists between Germany and France, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic. Joint commissions and/or panels of experts respectively have been set up with these states. Joint annual meetings are called to address issues of reactor safety and radiation protection.

The following commissions and panels of experts remain in regular contact:

German-French Commission (DFK)

The German-French Commission - aim: to address issues concerning the safety of nuclear facilities - originated from correspondence which took place in 1976 between Germany's Federal Minister of the Interior, at the time responsible for issues of nuclear safety and radiation protection, and the French Industry Minister concerning an agreement to cooperate in matters of radiation protection. This agreement arose out of the construction of nuclear power plants in the border regions of Germany and France, and the attendant need for mutual information concerning national safety regulations. The Commission is therefore intended for the mutual exchange of information and cooperation.

On the German side the Commission is made up of experts from the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU), as well as from Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland Palatinate, and the Saarland. Membership is also extended to several external specialists. The Commission currently fields four working groups:

• WG 1 Safety of Pressurized Water Reactors (PWRs)
• WG 2 Emergency response planning
• WG 3 Radiation protection
• WG 4 Radiation protection outside nuclear facilities

German-Swiss Commission (DSK)

The German-Swiss Commission (DSK) - aim: to address issues concerning the safety of nuclear facilities - was founded to implement the "Vereinbarung zwischen der Regierung der Schweizerischen Eidgenossenschaft und der Regierung der Bundesrepublik Deutschland über die gegenseitige Unterrichtung beim Bau und Betrieb grenznaher kerntechnischer Einrichtungen" ("Agreement between the government of the Swiss Confederation and the government of the Federal Republic of Germany concerning the mutual exchange of information on the construction and operation of nuclear facilities in border regions") which came into force on 19th September 1983. The mutual exchange of information on the construction and operation of nuclear facilities in border regions specified in the agreement particularly applies to pending licensing procedures, and specifically aims to protect the lawful interests of the relevant neighbouring state. In addition the DSK is charged with forwarding and analysing issues of interest to both sides associated with the safety of nuclear facilities, radiation protection, emergency planning and the management of radioactive waste.

Four working groups exist to examine any pending issues:

• WG 1 Plant safety
• WG 2 Emergency response
• WG 3 Radiation protection
• WG 4 Radioactive waste management

German-Dutch Commission (NDKK)

The German-Dutch collaboration originated from an exchange of letters and memos in September/October 1977 between the Federal Minister of the Interior, at the time responsible for issues of nuclear safety and radiation protection, and the Dutch Minister for Public Health, Environmental Protection and Social Affairs concerning the mutual exchange of information and collaboration with relation to nuclear facilities located in the border regions.

The German-Dutch Commission conducts in-depth appraisals of issues of mutual interest in specialist working groups. As direct neighbours to the Dutch, North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony attend Commission meetings and are also represented in the working groups:

• WG 1 Border region nuclear facilities
• WG 2 Emergency response

German-Czech Commission (DTK)

The German-Czech Commission serves to supply information to both countries on safety-related events and nuclear legislation. Issues surrounding the safety of border region Temelin and Isar power plants are just one particular focus. In addition to the Czech safety and security regulator - the State Office for Nuclear Safety (SUJB) - and Germany's BMU, representatives from the neighbouring German states of Bavaria and Saxony also attend the meetings.

German-Austrian Panel of Nuclear Experts (DÖE)

The collaboration of the German-Austrian Panel of Nuclear Experts is based on the "Abkommen zwischen der Regierung der Bundesrepublik Deutschland und der Regierung der Republik Österreich über Informations- und Erfahrungsaustausch auf dem Gebiet des Strahlenschutzes" ("Agreement between the government of the Federal Republic of Germany and the government of the Republic of Austria concerning the exchange of radiation protection information and experience"). Priority is given to issues of radiation protection, research reactor safety, and nuclear waste management. Issues concerning the safety of the Temelin and Isar nuclear power plants are also addressed. Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg attend meetings of the DÖE.