Joint Research Centre's Support to Nuclear Compliance Assurance

The Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM Treaty) constitutes EURATOM's primary law. Since its establishment, several binding secondary legislations (directives, regulations and decisions) were adopted in the fields of nuclear safeguards, nuclear safety and radiation protection. The European Commission is responsible for the enforcement of Chapter VII of the EURATOM Treaty, and the related regulation on the application of EURATOM safeguards and any safeguarding obligations under an agreement with a third state or an international organisation. The European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC) has its roots in Article 8 of the Euratom Treaty and seeks to strengthen its role at the service of the European Union vision and to work in enhanced partnerships inside and outside the European Commission. Through the recent revitalisation of its Strategy 2030, the JRC also reaffirms the role of nuclear activities in its mandate. From 2023 onwards, the work programme of the JRC will be organised in portfolios as the main building blocks in a cross-disciplinary approach. The portfolio of activities “Support to Nuclear Compliance Assurance” of the JRC’s 2023-2024 Work Programme supports the implementation of the EURATOM legal framework, with particular focus on the Nuclear Safeguards and Non-proliferation regimes. It includes also the support to the harmonised implementation of the EU dual-use trade control legislation, aiming at preventing the illicit export of sensitive technologies, stemming from the political agreements within the international export control regimes and the legal requirements of the nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty. The portfolio’s activities include: R&D on nuclear safeguards techniques; developing tools for inspectors; operating the on-site laboratory; providing central analytical support and in field assistance; environmental monitoring; provision of reference materials; data analysis, organising proficiency testing; reviewing related to Member States’ implementation of EURATOM directives; supporting dual-use trade control implementation by data and technical analyses; capacity building; nuclear safeguards education and training.