From January 25-28, AdSTM, Inc. and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) conducted the IRDP workshop on Research and Test Reactors (RTR) for the Vietnam Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety (VARANS) in Hanoi, Vietnam. The audience was composed of regulators whose responsibility encompassed various aspects of research reactor oversight including inspection, program management, emergency response and security.
The workshop was supported by Adstm staff, Mr. Rich Holm, Dr. Steve Reese, and Ms. Tammy Way; and Mr. John Nguyen and Mr. Gene Carpenter, both representing the NRC. Over the four day workshop instruction focused on the current regulatory approach for RTRs in the United States including inspection programs, initial licensing, license renewal, license amendments, emergency planning, security, safeguards, facility modifications, and operator licensing. This course complimented existing regulatory approaches for VARANS, providing valuable experienced-based insight on the unique way RTRs are regulated, particularly on licensing and inspection. Additionally, participates took home an increased understanding of the breadth and depth of regulation as well as the differences between research reactor and nuclear power plant regulatory approaches.