Working Party on Nuclear Emergency Matters (WPNEM)

Ongoing

Photo: NEA/Vardulakis

The NEA has a long tradition of expertise in the area of nuclear emergency policy, preparedness and response management.Through its technical programmes, the NEA provides its member countries with impartial support in the field of nuclear emergency preparedness, with the aim of enhancing strategies and strengthening international nuclear emergency response and recovery.

The mission of the CRPPH Working Party on Nuclear Emergency Matters (WPNEM) is to improve nuclear emergency management systems within member countries, and to share its knowledge and experience widely. Within this framework, WPNEM activities focus on addressing needs related to preparedness, response, and recovery following a nuclear or radiological emergency (including accidents and the consequences of malicious acts). The programme of work is developed in coordination with member countries and other international organisations.

The NEA has no statutory operational role in responding to nuclear emergency situations. However, it has long been actively engaged in efforts to strengthen the international dimensions of nuclear or radiological emergency preparedness, response, and recovery, particularly through the development, implementation, and evaluation of the International Nuclear Emergency Exercise (INEX) series.

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Participants are emergency management experts from NEA member countries and strategic partners, recognised for their knowledge, skills, and expertise in the nuclear field. The Working Party adopts a flexible and comprehensive approach to address issues across the full spectrum of nuclear or radiological emergency management—from preparedness to transition and recovery. Participants exchange information, data, knowledge, and experience to test all aspects of emergency management systems, identify gaps, and recommend strategies for improving nuclear emergency management worldwide.

A key part of WPNEM programme involves exploring and developing new concepts and future procedures to improve both national and international preparedness and response systems. Central to these efforts has been the organisation, conduct, and evaluation of the INEX exercise series, which the WPNEM has led since 1993. The experiences and lessons learned from these exercises have provided a substantial foundation for the development of strategies and recommendations to improve emergency management systems at both the national and international levels.

Co-operation and co-ordination with other international organisations

Co-operation

The field of emergency preparedness and response (EPR) is broad, complex, and involves numerous stakeholders. Within this context, the WPNEM promotes international collaboration on specific emergency-related issues of interest to NEA member countries, in line with the NEA Strategic Plan and the CRPPH mandate. To this end, the WPNEM works in close cooperation, as appropriate, with other NEA Standing Technical Committees and divisions, as well as with competent bodies within relevant OECD directorates and other international organisations active in the field of emergency preparedness, response, and recovery.

The WPNEM actively collaborates with international organisations to enhance coordination, avoid duplication, and optimise resources by clarifying roles and responsibilities. Organisations such as the European Commission (EC), the IAEA, WHO, and HERCA-WGE, among others, are regularly invited to participate as observers.

As part of the OECD, the WPNEM is well positioned to promote an integrated all-hazards approach to emergency preparedness and response. It continues its long-standing collaboration with the IAEA, EC, and WHO, and engages with industry and other relevant stakeholders as appropriate.

Co-ordination

As part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen international nuclear emergency planning, preparedness, and response, the NEA is an active member of the Inter-Agency Committee on Radiological and Nuclear Emergencies (IACRNE).

This committee serves as a coordination mechanism among relevant international intergovernmental organisations to ensure the development and maintenance of harmonised and effective arrangements and capabilities for responding to nuclear or radiological incidents and emergencies. As a committee member, the NEA is also a sponsoring organisation of the Joint Radiation Emergency Management Plan (JPLAN) of the IACRNE. The WPNEM Secretariat represents the NEA in the IACRNE.

The NEA, through the WPNEM, participates, as appropriate, in the development, planning, preparation and organisation of international nuclear emergency exercises, jointly sponsored by the IAEA, the EC, the WHO, the WMO, the NEA and any other interested international organisations. During the planning phase of an international nuclear emergency exercise, the IACRNE coordinates the objectives of participating international organisations, with the IAEA serving as its secretariat.

History and organisational structure within the NEA

The NEA Committee on Radiation Protection and Public Health (CRPPH) has addressed nuclear emergency matters for years. The Expert Group on Nuclear Emergency Matters was established in 1993 after the first International Nuclear Emergency Exercise (INEX) to address lessons learned, evolving into a Working Party in 2000 to reflect the long-term importance of nuclear emergency issues.

The WPNEM Chair regularly reports to the CRPPH on the work programme, achievements, and future objectives. The CRPPH reviews and approves the programme, while members contribute ideas and priorities, helping shape long-term goals for nuclear emergency preparedness and response.

Member's area

WPNEM member's area (password protected | retrieve password)

Contact

Mr Lucas Martiri
Division of Radiological Protection and Human Aspects of Nuclear Safety
lucas.martiri@oecd-nea.org

Activities

results

Committee on Radiological Protection and Public Health (CRPPH)

The CRPPH assists NEA member countries in the implementation and enhancement of the system of radiological protection. It contributes to the adoption and the maintenance of high standards of protection for the public, workers and the environment in all activities involving the use of ionising radiations, and particularly, but not limited to the field of nuclear energy.

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Expert Group on comparison and understanding of Dose Prognosis (EGDP)

Nuclear emergency preparedness and response management are essential components to ensure safety and radiation protection in any nuclear or non-nuclear country. While international guidelines for emergency preparedness and response exist, national procedures and practices may have differences based on national habits, cultural specificities, and societal needs.

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Expert Group on Non-radiological Public Health Aspects of Radiation Emergency Planning and Response (EGNR)

In 2019, the NEA Committee on Radiological Protection and Public Health's(CRPPH) Working Party on Nuclear Emergency Matters (WPNEM) created the Expert Group on Non‑radiological Public Health Aspects of Radiation Emergency Planning and Response (EGNR) to provide input to the WHO framework for mental health and psychosocial support in radiological and nuclear emergencies and to work on an operational extension of that document. The EGNR report will deliver guidance to decision makers in member countries while planning for, responding to, and recovering from nuclear or radiological emergencies by providing practical solutions, approaches and tools to integrate mental health and psychosocial support into protective action plans.

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Expert Group on Recovery Management (EGRM)

In the aftermath of the Chernobyl and Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accidents, the notion of sustainable recovery from nuclear or radiological accidents has been at the centre of attention for the international radiological protection community. In 2019 the CRPPH created the Expert Group on Recovery Management (EGRM) to develop an operational framework of preparedness for recovery management, which could be easily adapted to national conditions and which would help countries to better prepare for the multidimensional impacts of such accidents.

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Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident

On 11 March 2011, a massive earthquake of magnitude 9.0 on the Richter scale jolted the eastern coast of Japan. An hour after the earthquake, a 14-15 m tsunami, as estimated at the Fukushima Daiichi site, hit the Pacific coastline and led to a terrible loss of lives (approximately 19 000 people died or remain unaccounted for). It also led to loss of all onsite power sources resulting in serious accidents at the three operating Fukushima Daiichi units, which were classified by the Japanese authorities as level 7 on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale (INES).

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International Nuclear Emergency Exercises (INEX)

The NEA Committee on Radiological Protection and Public Health (CRPPH), through various sub-groups, has focused on improving the effectiveness of international nuclear emergency preparedness and management. Part of its work programme is set on exploring and developing new concepts and future procedures to enhance national and international preparedness and response management. A central approach to this has been the preparation and conduct of the International Nuclear Emergency Exercise (INEX) series.

Working Group on Public Communication of Nuclear Regulatory Organisations (WGPC)

The Working Group in Public Communication of Nuclear Regulatory Organisations (WGPC) provided a forum for nuclear regulatory organisation communicators and outreach officers to exchange information, experience, and practices. It also aimed to exchange views regarding the policies of nuclear regulatory organisations in the area of public communication and identified ways of promoting efficient collaboration between member countries.

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