Atomic Energy Regulatory Board:
India’s nuclear regulator, the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), recently granted operation licence for two indigenously developed 700 MWe Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors at the Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS) in Gujarat.
- AERB stands as India’s premier regulatory authority for nuclear and radiation safety.
- The AERB was constituted on November 15, 1983, by the President of India by exercising the powers conferred by the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 to carry out certain regulatory and safety functions under the Act.
- The regulatory authority of AERB is derived from the rules and notifications promulgated under the Atomic Energy Act and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
- The Mission of the AERB is to ensure the use of ionizing radiation and nuclear energy in India does not cause undue risk to the health of people and the environment.
- The AERB shall have authority to administer the provisions of the Factories Act, 1948, the industrial safety for the units of Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) as per Section 23 of the Atomic Energy Act,1962.
- Its headquarters is situated in Mumbai.
- The Board comprises six members of which two are whole time members including the chairman.
- The other whole-time member is the executive director of the AERB Secretariat who is an ex-officio member of the Board.
- The other four members are eminent experts from various disciplines relevant to the mandate of the board.
- The executive functions of the AERB shall be vested in Chairman,
- The Board shall be responsible to the Atomic Energy Commission.
- Regional Regulatory Centres (RRCs) of AERB set up at Kolkata, Chennai and New Delhi carry out regular surveillance of the radiation facilities in eastern, southern and northern zones respectively.
- AERB has a Safety Research Institute (SRI) located at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, which carries out research in safety related topics.
- AERB license is a mandatory certification for entities involved in the use of ionizing radiation and nuclear energy in India.
- This license ensures that such activities adhere to safety standards, minimizing risks to public health and the environment.
