Date: 25th May –  3rd June 2026

Malta Successfully Completes Second Full-Scope IAEA IRRS Mission

Malta has successfully completed its second full-scope Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) Mission conducted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), marking an important milestone in the country’s ongoing efforts to strengthen radiation and nuclear safety.

The mission, which took place over the past two weeks, involved an extensive review of Malta’s national regulatory framework for radiation safety, radioactive waste management, transport of radioactive material, emergency preparedness and response, and the interface between safety and security. The review was carried out by an international team of experts from Greece, Portugal, Mauritius, Argentina and Thailand, coordinated by the IAEA.

The IRRS is an internationally recognised peer-review mechanism that evaluates national regulatory infrastructures against IAEA Safety Standards and international good practices. Malta previously hosted an initial IRRS mission in 2015 and a follow-up mission in 2020.

The review team acknowledged the significant progress made by Malta since the previous missions and highlighted several areas of good practice. Among these were the strong collaboration between Government, the Commission for the Protection from Ionising and Non-Ionising Radiation (RPC), and its Secretariat, while maintaining the independence of regulatory decision-making. The multidisciplinary composition of the Commission and Malta’s framework for recognising Radiation Protection Experts and Medical Physics Experts were also positively noted.

The mission further identified recommendations and suggestions aimed at strengthening further Malta’s regulatory framework in different areas. These findings will support the continued development of a robust and sustainable regulatory system.

Chairperson of the Commission, Prof. Lourdes Farrugia, welcomed the mission’s conclusions, noting that the review provided valuable confirmation of the progress achieved while offering clear guidance for future improvements.

“The IRRS mission is much more than an international obligation. It is an opportunity to learn from international experts, benchmark our practices against international standards, and continuously strengthen our regulatory framework. We are pleased that the review team recognised the progress achieved over recent years and we fully embrace the recommendations and suggestions that will help us continue improving,” Prof. Farrugia stated.

The Government of Malta and the RPC expressed their appreciation to the IAEA and the review team for their professionalism, expertise, and constructive engagement throughout the mission. Appreciation was also extended to the members of the Commission, the Secretariat, and all participating stakeholders whose contributions were essential to the successful completion of the review.

Malta remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of radiation and nuclear safety, protecting people and the environment, and ensuring continuous improvement in line with international standards and best practices.

For Maltese translation, click here.

Date: 13th – 24th April 2026

Tenth Review Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Convention on Nuclear Safety

Representatives of the RPC recently participated in the 10th Review Meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS), held at the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna.

The Convention on Nuclear Safety is an international legal instrument that aims to maintain a high level of nuclear safety worldwide through the enhancement of national measures and international cooperation. The Review Meetings provide a platform for Contracting Parties to present and peer-review national reports on the implementation of their obligations under the Convention.

The delegation delivered a presentation on Malta’s National Report and engaged in peer review sessions with other regulatory bodies and international experts.