The Handbook provides IAEA Member States with a resource for assessing the adequacy of their national legal frameworks governing the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and practical guidance for governments in efforts to enhance their laws and regulations, in harmonizing them with internationally recognized standards, and in meeting their obligations under relevant international instruments.
The Handbook responds to the growing demand from many national governments for assistance in the development of nuclear legislation and the need to harmonize their own legal and institutional arrangements with international standards. It also presents concise and authoritative instructional materials for teaching professionals (lawyers, scientists, engineers, health and radiation protection workers, government administrators) on the basic elements of a sound framework for managing and regulating nuclear energy.
The Handbook is organized into five general parts:-
- Part I provides a general overview of key concepts in the field: nuclear energy law and the legislative process; the regulatory authority; and the fundamental regulatory activities of licensing, inspection and enforcement
- Part II deals with radiation protection
- Part III covers various subjects arising from nuclear and radiation safety: radiation sources, nuclear installations, emergency preparedness and response, mining and milling, transportation, and waste and spent fuel
- Part IV addresses the topic of nuclear liability and coverage
- Part V moves to non-proliferation and security-related subjects: safeguards, export and import controls, and physical protection
