IAEA Supports Advances in Regulatory Infrastructure for Radiation Safety in the Caribbean

Cooperation between the IAEA and member countries of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have made the use of radiation technologies in the region safer, by advancing radiation safety regulatory infrastructure in the region. Through its technical cooperation (TC) programme, the IAEA has provided continuous support to CARICOM countries to ensure that the use of nuclear and radiation technologies does not compromise the safety of people and the environment.

There are 12 Caribbean countries who are members of both the IAEA and CARICOM, namely Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, St Vincent and Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Across the Caribbean, the IAEA has supported the establishment of appropriate laws, regulations and regulatory bodies, and promoted the application of to the IAEA's Safety Standards. With further implementation of the Regional Strategic Framework (RSF) for the Caribbean region, policy-makers, regulators and operators have realized notable improvements and achievements.

Advancing the legal and regulatory framework for radiation safety

Since 2016, IAEA-CARICOM countries have participated in four TC projects, taking advantage of the Agency's assistance in drafting legislation and regulations to support the control of radiation sources.

Six countries in the region have participated in the IAEA's annual two-week intensive training course on nuclear law-the IAEA Nuclear Law Institute-which is focuses on drafting nuclear legislation. In January 2017, experts from seven countries in the Caribbean region attended the IAEA School for Drafting Regulations on Radiation Safety and prepared a first draft of their national regulations for the control of radiation sources. Additionally, five IAEA-CARICOM countries drafted their national nuclear law through participation in the IAEA Legislative Assistance Programme.

Jamaica passed the Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Act in August 2015, and following participation in these activities, the country approved regulations in August 2019. Jamaica became the first CARICOM country to establish an independent and fully-operational regulatory body, the Hazardous Substances Regulatory Authority (HSRA), in 2020.