Nuclear Regulatory Authority

The Paris Convention was established and opened for signature on July 29, 1960 and entered into force on April 1, 1968 in order to determine the insurance and legal liability against radioactive leaks that may occur during the use of nuclear energy among the member states of the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA), which is formed within the Organization for European Economic Cooperation (OEEC, later OECD). This Convention aimed to create common legislation among all member states and ensure its consistent implementation. Currently, only member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) can become parties to this legislation.

One of the objectives of the Convention is to define legal liability towards third parties for possible nuclear incidents, ensuring this does not impede the peaceful use of nuclear energy. The Convention imposes clear limitations on the scope of actions of the parties concerning location and subject matter, thereby holding the operator of a nuclear facility, as well as the transporter and carrier of nuclear material, legally accountable. The Convention's provisions have been expanded and refined through subsequent joint protocols (1964 Protocol, 1982 Protocol, 2004 Protocol).

Türkiye, one of the original drafting countries of the Convention, signed it on October 28, 1960, ratified it following its publication in the Official Gazette dated May 13, 1961, and the Convention became effective on April 1, 1968.

Adopted on July 29, 1960, the Convention on Third Party Liability in the Field of Nuclear Energy was later amended by the Additional Protocol of 1964. This Protocol was adopted in Paris on January 28, 1964, and came into effect on April 1, 1968. The 1964 amendment aimed to ensure compatibility with the Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage of May 21, 1963, and to address potential issues for countries seeking to join both the 1964 Paris and the 1963 Brussels Supplementary Conventions.

Türkiye signed the Convention on January 28, 1964, ratified it upon its publication in the Official Gazette dated November 29, 1967, and the Convention entered into force on April 5, 1968.

The Convention on Third Party Liability in the Field of Nuclear Energy, which was adopted on July 29, 1960 and was amended by an additional protocol on January 28, 1964, was further amended by the protocol of 1982. The Protocol was signed in Paris, France on November 16, 1982, and entered into force on October 7, 1988.

The 1982 Protocol introduced several fundamental amendments to the Paris Convention. It revised the final paragraph of the Preamble of the 1960 text, preventing Member States from enacting domestic regulations regarding the application of the Convention’s provisions to damages arising from accidents caused by ionizing radiation. Additionally, the 1982 Protocol redefined the terms "nuclear incident," "nuclear installation," "nuclear fuel," "radioactive products or waste," "nuclear materials," and "operator." Furthermore, the 1982 Protocol established regulations for the financial assurance provided by responsible operators to the carriers of nuclear material for transports entirely within the borders of the Contracting Parties.

Türkiye signed the Convention on November 16, 1982, ratified it following its publication in the Official Gazette dated November 2, 1984, and the Convention entered into force on October 7, 1988.

The 2004 Protocol to Amend the Paris Convention was adopted on February 12, 2004 and entered into force on January 1, 2022. This Protocol improves the existing regime by increasing the financial resources available to compensate a greater number of victims over a broader geographic area. With the entry into force of the 2004 Protocol, the scope of application of the Paris Convention has been expanded in terms of both location and subject matter. Additionally, the statute of limitations and the liability amounts for operators under the Convention have been revised, thereby securing the rights of those affected by a potential nuclear incident with extended timeframes and higher compensation amounts.

Türkiye signed the Convention on February 12, 2004, ratified it following its publication in the Official Gazette dated October 17, 2021, and the Convention entered into force on January 4, 2022.

Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) is an international treaty aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, promoting cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and to further the goal of achieving nuclear disarmament.

To further the goal of non-proliferation and as a confidence-building measure between States parties, the Treaty establishes a safeguards system under the responsibility of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Theses Safeguards are used to verify compliance with the Treaty through inspections conducted by the IAEA.

The Treaty was adopted on July 1, 1968, and entered into force on March 5, 1970. On May 11, 1995, it was extended indefinitely, and to date, 191 countries, including five nuclear-weapon states, have signed the Treaty.

Türkiye signed the Treaty on January 28, 1969, ratified it following its publication in the Official Gazette dated November 28, 1979, and the Treaty entered into force on April 17, 1980.

The main international legal instruments in the area of nuclear security adopted under the IAEA’s auspices are the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM) and its 2005 Amendment (CPPNM/A). The CPPNM, was adopted on October 26, 1979, and entered into force on February 8, 1987. The CPPNM establishes legal obligations for Parties regarding the physical protection of nuclear material used for peaceful purposes during international transport; the criminalization of certain offences involving nuclear material; and international cooperation, for example, in the case of theft, robbery or any other unlawful taking of nuclear material or credible threat thereof.

Türkiye signed the Treaty on August 23, 1983, ratified it following its publication in the Official Gazette dated November 10, 1987, and the Treaty entered into force on February 8, 1987.

The September 11 attacks heightened global safety concerns, prompting the initiation of an amendment process to broaden the scope of the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM) and its Amendment (CPPNM/A) was subsequently adopted in 2005. The Amendment to the CPPNM significantly strengthens the original CPPNM in a number of important ways. It extends the scope of the original treaty to cover physical protection of nuclear facilities and nuclear material used for peaceful purposes in domestic use, storage and transport. It also further criminalizes offences related to illicit trafficking and sabotage of nuclear material or nuclear facilities, and it provides for strengthened international cooperation in light of the expanded scope, such as assistance and information sharing in the event of sabotage. The amended Convention was adopted on July 8, 2005, and entered into force on May 8, 2016. The Convention is currently signed by 164 countries.

The September 11 attacks heightened global safety concerns, prompting the initiation of an amendment process to broaden the scope of the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM) and its Amendment (CPPNM/A) was subsequently adopted in 2005. The Amendment to the CPPNM significantly strengthens the original CPPNM in a number of important ways. It extends the scope of the original treaty to cover physical protection of nuclear facilities and nuclear material used for peaceful purposes in domestic use, storage and transport. It also further criminalizes offences related to illicit trafficking and sabotage of nuclear material or nuclear facilities, and it provides for strengthened international cooperation in light of the expanded scope, such as assistance and information sharing in the event of sabotage. The amended Convention was adopted on July 8, 2005, and entered into force on May 8, 2016. The Convention is currently signed by 164 countries.

Türkiye ratified the Convention following its publication in the Official Gazette on April 24, 2015, and it entered into force on May 8, 2016.

The Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident, adopted in 1986 following the Chernobyl nuclear plant accident, establishes a notification system for nuclear accidents from which a release of radioactive material occurs or is likely to occur and which has resulted or may result in an international transboundary release that could be of radiological safety significance for another State. It requires States to report the accident's time, location, nature, and other data essential for assessing the situation. Notification is to be made to affected States directly or through the IAEA, and to the IAEA itself. Reporting is mandatory for any nuclear accident involving facilities and activities listed in Article 1. Pursuant to Article 3, States may notify other nuclear accidents as well.

Türkiye signed the Convention on September 26, 1986, ratified it upon its publication in the Official Gazette dated September 3, 1990, and the Convention entered into force on February 3, 1991.

The Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency, adopted on September 26, 1986, following the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident and entering into force on February 26, 1987, sets out an international framework for co-operation among States Parties and with the IAEA to facilitate prompt assistance and support in the event of nuclear accidents or radiological emergencies. It requires States to notify the IAEA of their available experts, equipment, and materials for providing assistance. In case of a request, each State Party decides whether it can render the requested assistance as well as its scope and terms.

Türkiye signed the Convention on September 26, 1986, ratified it following its publication in the Official Gazette on September 3, 1990, and the Convention entered into force on February 3, 1991.

The Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS), was adopted on June 17, 1994, and came into effect on October 24, 1996, aims to commit Contracting Parties operating land-based civil nuclear power plants to maintain a high level of safety by establishing fundamental safety principles to which States would subscribe. Each contracting party undertakes to take legal, regulatory, administrative and other necessary measures, within the framework of its national laws, to fulfill its obligations under the Convention.

The Convention is based on the Parties’ common interest to achieve higher levels of safety that will be developed and promoted through regular meetings. It obliges Parties to submit reports on the implementation of their obligations for “peer review” at meetings that are normally held at IAEA Headquarters. This mechanism is the main innovative and dynamic element of the Convention.

Türkiye signed the Convention on September 20, 1994, ratified it upon its publication in the Official Gazette dated January 14, 1995, and the Convention entered into force on October 24, 1996. The national contact point of the Convention is the Nuclear Regulatory Authority.

The Joint Protocol, adopted on September 21, 1988, and entering into force on April 27, 1992, is designed to establish treaty relations between the Contracting Parties to the Vienna Convention and the Contracting Parties to the Paris Convention, and to eliminate conflicts that may arise from the simultaneous application of both Conventions to the same nuclear incident. Accordingly, the Joint Protocol is only open to States that are Parties to the Vienna Convention or to the Paris Convention, both Conventions being defined so as to include any amendment thereto.

Türkiye signed the Joint Protocol on September 21, 1988, ratified it following its publication in the Official Gazette on November 19, 2006, and the Protocol entered into force on June 26, 2007.

The Convention, which encompasses a broad range of acts and potential targets, including nuclear power plants and reactors, as well as threats and attempts to commit or participate in such crimes as accomplices, was adopted on April 13, 2005, and entered into force on July 7, 2007. The Convention encourages States to cooperate in preventing terrorist attacks by sharing information and assisting each other in criminal investigations and extradition proceedings. It also addresses crisis situations by aiding States in resolving post-crisis scenarios through the secure management of nuclear material via the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Türkiye signed the Convention on September 14, 2005, ratified it following its publication in the Official Gazette dated May 8, 2012, and the Convention entered into force on September 24, 2012.

The Joint Convention, was adopted on September 5, 1997, and came into effect on June 18, 2001, is the first legal instrument to address the issue of spent fuel and radioactive waste management safety on a global scale. It does so by establishing fundamental safety principles and creating a similar “peer review” process to the Convention on Nuclear Safety.

The Convention applies to spent fuel resulting from the operation of civilian nuclear reactors and to radioactive waste resulting from civilian applications. It also applies to spent fuel and radioactive waste from military or defence programmes if such materials are transferred permanently to and managed within exclusively civilian programmes, or when declared as spent fuel or radioactive waste for the purpose of the Convention by the Contracting Party concerned. In addition, it covers planned and controlled releases into the environment of liquid or gaseous radioactive materials from regulated nuclear facilities.

Türkiye signed the Convention on October 6, 2021, ratified it upon its publication in the Official Gazette dated July 22, 2022, and the Convention entered into force on May 21, 2023. The national contact point of the Convention is the Nuclear Regulatory Authority.

All non-nuclear-weapon States party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), as well as States parties to the regional nuclear-weapon-free zone treaties, are required to conclude comprehensive safeguards agreements with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). A State undertakes to accept IAEA Safeguards on all nuclear material in all peaceful nuclear activities within its territory, under its jurisdiction or carried out under its control anywhere. Under these agreements, the IAEA has the right and obligation to ensure that safeguards are applied on all such nuclear material for the exclusive purpose of verifying that such material is not diverted to nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices.

Türkiye signed the Agreement on June 30, 1981, and it entered into force on September 1, 1981.

The Additional Protocol is not a stand-alone agreement but rather a protocol to a safeguards agreement that provides additional tools for verification. In particular, it significantly increases the ability of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to verify the peaceful use of all nuclear material in States with comprehensive safeguards agreements.

Türkiye signed the Additional Protocol on July 6, 2000, ratified it following its publication in the Official Gazette on July 12, 2001, and it entered into force on July 17, 2001.