The first international assessment of Finland's radiation emergency preparedness

The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment of Finland invited the international review to Finland. The Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) is coordinating the preparation and implementation of the review. STUK also serves as the national contact point for the IAEA and is one of the organisations being evaluated. The coordination group established by the ministry is chaired by Director Karim Peltonen of STUK.

During its mission the 11-member review team will interview Finnish authorities and other organisations involved in responding to radiation emergencies, as well as examine preparedness arrangements across different parts of Finland. The review covers Finland’s entire national system for preparedness and response to radiation emergency situations.

Finland’s Arrangements Compared with International Practices

The review currently being conducted in Finland is known as EPREV (Emergency Preparedness Review). It is a peer review service offered by the IAEA that evaluates a Member State’s arrangements for preparedness and response to radiation emergency situations. This is the first time that an EPREV mission has been carried out in Finland.

EPREV examines preparedness as a national whole. It covers all organisations involved in the management of radiation emergencies and the coordination between them. In addition to the interviews now being conducted, the review is based on documentation compiled by STUK and submitted to the review team in advance.

Director Karim Peltonen notes that a very large number of authorities and other organisations are involved in managing radiation emergency situations in Finland, and that they must be capable of working together smoothly and effectively under a variety of circumstances.

Director Peltonen therefore considers the international review to be highly valuable.“The team carrying out this review consists of leading preparedness experts from seven countries. We will gain valuable insights into how our national system could potentially be improved or further developed. I also believe that these findings will support Finland’s broader national preparedness for wide-ranging emergency situations.”

The final EPREV report will be completed in a few months’ time. However, at the conclusion of the review mission currently under way, the team will already present its preliminary findings.