2 Harmonised international framework
Strategic objective
Norway will maintain, update and strengthen the regulations for radiation protection and nuclear safety by actively participating in international collaboration. Norway will regularly review the regulations based on, among other things, knowledge gained from changes in the international framework. In addition, Norway will review both the Nuclear Energy Act and the Act on Radiation Protection and Use of Radiation in order to update them in accordance with the international standards established by the IAEA. A corresponding review of the Royal Decree on Nuclear Accident Preparedness is also underway.
This general strategy does not address issues related to potential nuclear power establishment in Norway. Norway has established a public committee to conduct a comprehensive review and assessment of various aspects of a potential future establishment of nuclear power in Norway. The committee shall submit its Official Norwegian Report (NOU) by April 2026.
Norway will be an active participant and play a leading role in the international collaboration by sharing knowledge and experience, promoting knowledge development and strengthening the radiation protection and nuclear safety framework. Norway will base its approach on international best practices and fulfil its obligations pursuant to relevant international conventions.
Norway will also contribute to the development of international standards and guidelines organised by the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the OECD’s Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA), and the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP).
Norway will develop and apply a knowledge-based management approach founded on international best practices, adapted to global developments, whether related to climate change, armed conflict, or other events.
Norway will welcome administrative reviews involving international experts, for example from the IAEA, as part of efforts to develop Norway’s management of radiation protection and nuclear safety.
Relevant strategies, plans and programmes
White Paper 8 (2023–2024) ‘The Nansen Programme for Ukraine’ describes Norway’s engagement in Ukraine, including issues related to state-building, promotion of democracy and support for civil society. Through the Nansen programme, Norway will strengthen its well-established collaboration with Ukraine on nuclear safety. The general goals of nuclear safety efforts in Ukraine are to reduce the risk of nuclear accidents and radioactive contamination, reduce the risk of radioactive material falling into the wrong hands, and strengthen regional nuclear preparedness.
In June 2024, the Norwegian Government presented White Paper 30 (2023–2024) ‘International cooperation on nuclear safety and security in a changed Europe’. The report outlines Norway’s international nuclear safety cooperation, describes the results achieved, and outlines the path forward for the collaboration, including support through the Nansen Programme for nuclear safety measures in Ukraine.
As a follow-up to the report, the Nuclear Action Plan is now being revised. The Nuclear Action Plan provides guidelines for the cooperation and concretises the objectives outlined in the report. The revised Nuclear Action Plan applies for the period 2025–2030, in accordance with the Nansen Programme for Ukraine.