Switzerland is committed to the continuous improvement of nuclear and radiological security. It has a strong nuclear security regime, which has been further strengthened since the IPPAS mission in 2018. This is the conclusion reached by the IAEA’s international team after the two-week follow-up mission. “The follow-up mission demonstrates the openness to an external review of the national system and Switzerland’s commitment to nuclear security,” emphasized Arvydas Stadalnikas, Head of the Integrated Nuclear Security Approaches Unit of the IAEA Division of Nuclear Security. During the exit meeting, he explained that the inclusion of an additional module for securing radioactive materials highlights Switzerland’s integrated approach to physical protection. The results of the mission indicate a well-established national security regime and confirm its alignment with the IAEA’s nuclear security guidelines.
Security aspects critically examined
As a member state of the IAEA, Switzerland has conducted an International Physical Protection Advisory Service (IPPAS): From 30 October to 10 November 2023, international experts reviewed Switzerland’s nuclear security regime. The Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (ENSI) organised the mission in cooperation with the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) and the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH). It was the follow-up mission to the IPPAS review carried out in Switzerland in 2018.
The focus was on the national foundations and the measures with which nuclear installations, nuclear material and now, in addition, highly radioactive material are protected from unauthorised intervention. This related in particular to protecting against criminal acts, theft and sabotage. For the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), the IPPAS mission was a milestone in the FOPH-led and Federal Council-approved action plan to strengthen the radiological security in Switzerland “Radiss”.
The IPPAS Mission team identified multiple best practices and formulated recommendations as to how Switzerland can further improve security in the nuclear and radioactive sector.
“With the utmost sincerity, I would like to thank all those involved in Switzerland for their engagement during the extensive preparation, and then for their commitment during the two-week review itself,” stated ENSI Director General Marc Kenzelmann upon completion of the mission. “We are very grateful to the IPPAS team for its critical examination of the security measures. The recommendations of the international experts are enormously important for ENSI and its partners. We must continue to work together to systematically and consistently strengthen nuclear security in Switzerland.”
