<Nodocse>A7-0252/2014</Nodocse>

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT / 2009 - 2014

Plenary sitting

<NoDocSe>A7-0252/2014</NoDocSe>

<TitreType>REPORT</TitreType>

<Titre>on the proposal for a Council directive amending Directive 2009/71/EURATOM establishing a Community framework for the nuclear safety of nuclear installations</Titre>

<Commission>{ITRE}Committee on Industry, Research and Energy</Commission>

Rapporteur: <Depute>Romana Jordan</Depute>

PR_NLE-CN_art55am

Symbols for procedures
*Consultation procedure
***Consent procedure
***IOrdinary legislative procedure (first reading)
***IIOrdinary legislative procedure (second reading)
***IIIOrdinary legislative procedure (third reading)
(The type of procedure depends on the legal basis proposed by the draft act.)
Amendments to a draft act
Amendments by Parliament set out in two columns
Deletions are indicated in bold italics in the left-hand column. Replacements are indicated in bold italics in both columns. New text is indicated in bold italics in the right-hand column.
The first and second lines of the header of each amendment identify the relevant part of the draft act under consideration. If an amendment pertains to an existing act that the draft act is seeking to amend, the amendment heading includes a third line identifying the existing act and a fourth line identifying the provision in that act that Parliament wishes to amend.
Amendments by Parliament in the form of a consolidated text
New text is highlighted in bold italics. Deletions are indicated using either the ▌symbol or strikeout. Replacements are indicated by highlighting the new text in bold italics and by deleting or striking out the text that has been replaced.
By way of exception, purely technical changes made by the drafting departments in preparing the final text are not highlighted.

CONTENTS

Page

DRAFT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION......

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT......

OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AFFAIRS ONTHELEGALBASIS

RESULT OF FINAL VOTE IN COMMITTEE......

DRAFT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION

on the proposal for a Council directive amending Directive 2009/71/EURATOM establishing a Community framework for the nuclear safety of nuclear installations

(COM(2013)0715 – C70385/2013 – 2013/0340(NLE))

(Consultation)

The European Parliament,

–having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council (COM(2013)0715),

–having regard to Articles31 and 32 of the Euratom Treaty, pursuant to which the Council consulted Parliament (C70385/2013),

–having regard to the opinion of the Committee on Legal Affairs on the proposed legal basis,

–having regard to Rule 55 of its Rules of Procedure,

–having regard to the report of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (A7-0252/2014),

1.Approves the Commission proposal as amended;

2.Calls on the Commission to alter its proposal accordingly, in accordance with Article 293(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and Article 106a of the Euratom Treaty;

3.Calls on the Council to notify Parliament if it intends to depart from the text approved by Parliament;

4.Asks the Council to consult Parliament again if it intends to substantially amend the Commission proposal;

5.Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council and the Commission.

<RepeatBlock-Amend>

<Amend>Amendment<NumAm>1</NumAm>

<DocAmend>Proposal for a directive</DocAmend>

<Article>Citation 4 a (new)</Article>

Text proposed by the Commission / Amendment
Having regard to the Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters, which was signed by the European Community and all the EU Member States in 1998,

</Amend>

<Amend>Amendment<NumAm>2</NumAm>

<DocAmend>Proposal for a directive</DocAmend>

<Article>Citation 4 b (new)</Article>

Text proposed by the Commission / Amendment
Having regard to the implementation of the Aarhus Convention in the context of nuclear safety, as brought about by the ‘Aarhus Convention and Nuclear’ initiative, which requires Member States to publish key information concerning nuclear safety and to involve the public in the decision-making process,

</Amend>

<Amend>Amendment<NumAm>3</NumAm>

<DocAmend>Proposal for a directive</DocAmend>

<Article>Recital 6</Article>

Text proposed by the Commission / Amendment
(6) Council Directive 2011/70/Euratom of 19 July 2011 establishing a Community framework for the responsible and safe management of spent fuel and radioactive waste33 imposes obligations on the Member States to establish and maintain a national framework for spent fuel and radioactive waste management. / (6) Council Directive 2011/70/Euratom of 19 July 2011 establishing a Community framework for the responsible and safe management of spent fuel and radioactive waste33 imposes obligations on the Member States to establish and maintain a national framework for spent fuel and radioactive waste management. The European Parliament resolution of 14 March 2013 on risk and safety assessments (‘stress tests’) of nuclear power plants in the European Union and related activities33a recalled that the hazards of nuclear waste were once again highlighted by the Fukushima nuclear accident.
______/ ______
33 OJ L 199, 2.8.2011. p. 48. / 33 OJ L 199, 2.8.2011. p. 48.
33a P7_TA(2013)0089.

</Amend>

<Amend>Amendment<NumAm>4</NumAm>

<DocAmend>Proposal for a directive</DocAmend>

<Article>Recital 7</Article>

Text proposed by the Commission / Amendment
(7) Council Conclusions of 8 May 2007 on nuclear safety and safe management of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste34 highlighted that ‘nuclear safety is a national responsibility exercised where appropriate in an EU-framework. Decisions concerning safety actions and the supervision of nuclear installations remain solely with the operators and national authorities’. / (7) Council Conclusions of 8 May 2007 on nuclear safety and safe management of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste34 highlighted that ‘nuclear safety is a national responsibility exercised where appropriate in an EU-framework. Decisions concerning safety actions and the supervision of nuclear installations remain solely with the operators and national authorities’.However, in its resolution of 14 March 2013 on risk and safety assessments ('stress tests') of nuclear power plants in the European Union and related activities, the European Parliament took note of the cross-border relevance of nuclear safety, for example by recommending that periodic safety reviews should be based on common safety standards or that cross-border safety and supervision should be ensured.That resolution called for the definition and implementation of binding nuclear safety standards.
______/ ______
34 Adopted by the Coreper on 25 April 2007 (doc. Ref. 8784/07) and the Economic and Financial Affairs Council on 8 May 2007. / 34 Adopted by the Coreper on 25 April 2007 (doc. Ref. 8784/07) and the Economic and Financial Affairs Council on 8 May 2007.

</Amend>

<Amend>Amendment<NumAm>5</NumAm>

<DocAmend>Proposal for a directive</DocAmend>

<Article>Recital 15</Article>

Text proposed by the Commission / Amendment
(15) A strong and independent competent regulatory authority is a fundamental condition of the European nuclear safety regulatory framework. Its independence and the exercise of its powers impartially and transparently are crucial factors to ensure a high level of nuclear safety. Objective regulatory decisions and enforcement actions should be established without any undue external influence that might compromise safety, such as pressures associated with changing political, economic or societal conditions, or pressures from government departments or any other public or private entities. The negative consequences of the lack of independence were evident in the Fukushima accident. The provisions of Directive 2009/71/Euratom on functional separation of competent regulatory authorities should be strengthened to ensure the regulatory authorities' effective independence and to guarantee that they are provided with the appropriate means and competencies to properly carry out the responsibilities assigned to them. In particular, the regulatory authority should have sufficient legal powers, sufficient staffing and sufficient financial resources for the proper discharge of its assigned responsibilities. The strengthened requirements aiming at ensuring independence in carrying out the regulatory tasks should be however without prejudice to close cooperation, as appropriate, with other relevant national authorities or to general policy guidelines issued by the government not related to the regulatory powers and duties. / (15) A strong and independent competent regulatory authority is a fundamental condition of the European nuclear safety regulatory framework. Its legal independence and the exercise of its powers impartially and transparently are crucial factors to ensure a high level of nuclear safety. Objective regulatory decisions and enforcement actions should be established without any undue external influence that might compromise safety, such as pressures associated with changing political, economic or societal conditions, or pressures from government departments or any other public or private entities. The negative consequences of the lack of independence were evident in the Fukushima accident. The provisions of Directive 2009/71/Euratom on functional separation of competent regulatory authorities should be strengthened to ensure the regulatory authorities' effective independence and to guarantee that they are provided with the appropriate means and competencies to properly carry out the responsibilities assigned to them. In particular, the regulatory authority should have sufficient legal powers, sufficient staffing and sufficient financial resources for the proper discharge of its assigned responsibilities. The strengthened requirements aiming at ensuring independence in carrying out the regulatory tasks should be however without prejudice to close cooperation, as appropriate, with other relevant national authorities and the Commission or to general policy guidelines issued by the government that do not undermine the national authority's regulatory powers and duties.

</Amend>

<Amend>Amendment<NumAm>6</NumAm>

<DocAmend>Proposal for a directive</DocAmend>

<Article>Recital 22</Article>

Text proposed by the Commission / Amendment
(22) In order to ensure that the proper skills are acquired and that adequate levels of competence are achieved and maintained, all parties should ensure that all staff (including sub-contractors), having responsibilities relating to the nuclear safety of nuclear installations and to the on-site emergency preparedness and response arrangements, undergo a continuous learning process. This can be achieved through the establishment of training programmes and training plans, procedures for periodic review and updating of the training programmes as well as appropriate budgetary provisions for training. / (22) In order to ensure that the proper skills are acquired and that adequate levels of competence are achieved and maintained, all parties should ensure that all staff (including sub-contractors), having responsibilities relating to the nuclear safety of nuclear installations and to the on-site emergency preparedness and response arrangements, undergo a continuous learning process. This can be achieved through the establishment of training programmes and training plans, procedures for periodic review and updating of the training programmes and by exchanges of knowhow between countries within and outside the Unionas well as appropriate budgetary provisions for training.

</Amend>

<Amend>Amendment<NumAm>7</NumAm>

<DocAmend>Proposal for a directive</DocAmend>

<Article>Recital 23</Article>

Text proposed by the Commission / Amendment
(23) Another key lesson learned from the Fukushima nuclear accident is the importance of enhancing transparency on nuclear safety matters. Transparency is also an important means to promote independence in regulatory decision making. Therefore, the current provisions of Directive 2009/71/Euratom on the information to be provided to the public should be more specific as to which type of information should be provided, as a minimum by the competent regulatory authority and by the licence holder, and within which time frames. To this purpose, for example, the type of information that should be provided, as a minimum by the competent regulatory authority and by the licence holder as part of their wider transparency strategies, should be identified. Information should be released in a timely manner, particularly in case of abnormal events and accidents. Results of periodic safety reviews and international peer reviews should also be made public. / (23) Another key lesson learned from the Fukushima nuclear accident is the importance of enhancing transparency on nuclear safety matters. Transparency is also an important means to promote independence in regulatory decision making. Therefore, the current provisions of Directive 2009/71/Euratom on the information to be provided to the public should be more specific as to which type of information should be provided, as a minimum by the competent regulatory authority and by the licence holder, and within which time frames. To this purpose, for example, the type of information that should be provided, as a minimum by the competent regulatory authority and by the licence holder as part of their wider transparency strategies, should be identified. Information should be released in a timely manner, particularly in case of incidents and accidents. Results of periodic safety reviews and international peer reviews should also be made public.resolution of 14 March 2013 on risk and safety assessments (‘stress tests’) of nuclear power plants in the European Union and related activities the European Parliament called for the Union’s citizens to be fully informed and consulted on nuclear safety in the Union.

</Amend>

<Amend>Amendment<NumAm>8</NumAm>

<DocAmend>Proposal for a directive</DocAmend>

<Article>Recital 24</Article>

Text proposed by the Commission / Amendment
(24) The requirements of this Directive on transparency are complementary to those of the existing Euratom legislation. Council Decision 87/600/Euratom of 14 December 1987 on Community arrangements for the early exchange of information in the event of a radiological emergency42 imposes obligations on Member States to notify and provide information to the Commission and to other Member States in case of a radiological emergency on its territory, whilst Council Directive 89/618 Euratom of 27 November 198943 includes requirements on Member States to inform the public about health protection measures to be applied and steps to be taken in the event of a radiological emergency, and to provide advance and continuing information to the population likely to be affected in the event of a such an emergency. However, in addition to the information to be provided in such an event, Member States should under this Directive arrange for appropriate transparency provisions, with prompt and regularly updated release of information to ensure that workers and the general public are kept informed about all nuclear safety related events, including abnormal events or accident conditions. Moreover, the public should be given opportunities to participate effectively in the licencing process of nuclear installations and the competent regulatory authority should provide any safety-related information independently, without need for prior consent from any other public or private entity. / (24) The requirements of this Directive on transparency are complementary to those of the existing Euratom legislation. Council Decision 87/600/Euratom of 14 December 1987 on Community arrangements for the early exchange of information in the event of a radiological emergency42 imposes obligations on Member States to notify and provide information to the Commission and to other Member States in case of a radiological emergency on its territory, whilst Council Directive 89/618 Euratom of 27 November 198943 includes requirements on Member States to inform the public about health protection measures to be applied and steps to be taken in the event of a radiological emergency, and to provide advance and continuing information to the population likely to be affected in the event of a such an emergency. However, in addition to the information to be provided in such an event, Member States should under this Directive arrange for appropriate transparency provisions, with prompt and regularly updated release of information to ensure that workers and the general public are kept informed about all nuclear safety related events, including incidents or accident conditions.
______/ ______
42 OJ L 371, 30.12.1987, p. 76. / 42 OJ L 371, 30.12.1987, p. 76.
43 OJ L 357, 7.12.1989, p.31. / 43 OJ L 357, 7.12.1989, p.31.

</Amend>

<Amend>Amendment<NumAm>9</NumAm>

<DocAmend>Proposal for a directive</DocAmend>

<Article>Recital 25</Article>

Text proposed by the Commission / Amendment
(25) The Directive 2009/71/Euratom sets up a legally binding Community framework underlying a nuclear safety legislative, administrative and organisational system. It does not include specific requirements for nuclear installations. In view of the technical progress achieved by the IAEA, and the Western European Nuclear Regulators Association ('WENRA') and other sources of expertise, including the lessons learned from the stress tests and the Fukushima nuclear accident investigations, Directive 2009/71/Euratom should be amended to include Community nuclear safety objectives covering all stages of the lifecycle of nuclear installations (siting, design, construction, commissioning, operation, decommissioning). / (25) The Directive 2009/71/Euratom sets up a legally binding Community framework underlying a nuclear safety legislative, administrative and organisational system. It does not include specific requirements for nuclear installations. In view of the technical progress achieved by the IAEA, and the Western European Nuclear Regulators Association ('WENRA') and other sources of expertise, including the lessons learned from the stress tests and the Fukushima nuclear accident investigations, Directive 2009/71/Euratom should be amended to include legally binding Community nuclear safety objectives covering all stages of the lifecycle of nuclear installations (siting, design, construction, commissioning, operation, decommissioning).

</Amend>

<Amend>Amendment<NumAm>10</NumAm>

<DocAmend>Proposal for a directive</DocAmend>

<Article>Recital 28</Article>

Text proposed by the Commission / Amendment
(28) For new reactor design, there is a clear expectation to address in the original design what was beyond design for previous generations of reactors. Design extension conditions are accident conditions that are not considered for design basis accidents, but are considered in the design process of the installation in accordance with best estimate methodology, and for which releases of radioactive material are kept within acceptable limits. Design extension conditions could include severe accident conditions. / (28) For new reactor design, there is a clear expectation to address in the original design what was beyond design for previous generations of reactors. Design extension conditions are accident conditions that are not considered for design basis accidents, but are considered in the design process of the installation in accordance with best estimate methodology, and for which releases of radioactive material are kept within acceptable limits. Design extension conditions should include severe accident conditions.

</Amend>

<Amend>Amendment<NumAm>11</NumAm>

<DocAmend>Proposal for a directive</DocAmend>

&lt;Nodocse&gt;A7-0252/2014&lt;/Nodocse&gt;

<Nodocse>A7-0252/2014</Nodocse>