An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team of experts has concluded a ten-day mission to review Latvia’s preparedness and response framework for nuclear and radiological emergencies. The Emergency Preparedness Review (EPREV) Service was carried out at the request of the Government of Latvia and hosted by the Radiation Safety Centre of State Environmental Service of Latvia (RSC SES).
The objective of the mission was to conduct a peer review of Latvia’s arrangements and capabilities for emergency preparedness and response against the IAEA safety standards and to provide advice for further enhancements.
Latvia does not operate any nuclear power plants. The country uses radiation sources in medical, scientific and industrial applications. The country’s research reactor has been permanently closed since 1998 and is currently in the early stage of decommissioning. Latvia operates a disposal and storage site for low and intermediate level radioactive waste, which is located 30 kilometres from the capital Riga.
In addition to meeting with counterparts from RSC SES in Riga, the EPREV team interviewed a number of other Latvian government organizations, including: the Ministry of Climate and Energy; the Ministry of Agriculture; the State Emergency Medical Service; Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital; the State Fire and Rescue Service; the Food and Veterinary Service; the Latvian Environment, Geology and Metereology Centre; and the Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment.
Genaro Rodrigo Salinas Mariaca, Senior Specialist on Emergency Preparedness and Response at the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation in the United Arab Emirates, led the six-person review team, which included experts from Bulgaria, Indonesia, Portugal, Finland and the IAEA.
“Over the course of our work, we observed a strong commitment across institutions to enhancing nuclear and radiological emergency preparedness and response in Latvia,” Salinas Mariaca said. “The outcomes of this mission highlight both well-established practices and valuable opportunities for further strengthening integration, coordination and resilience.”
The EPREV team identified strengths in Latvia’s EPR framework, including:
- The continuous proactive approach and strong determination of the RSC SES in leading preparedness and response initiatives for nuclear and radiological emergencies, despite ongoing staff-related constraints;
- The government’s efforts to establish reliable communication channels to disseminate information and instructions to potentially affected populations, as well as to provide psychological counselling to first responders, emergency workers and the general public in case of emergencies; and
- Ongoing initiatives to build public trust through effective crisis communication as a way to strengthen the overall national emergency response framework.
The team also made suggestions to further strengthen EPR arrangements, including:
- To align national regulations and emergency frameworks with relevant international safety standards;
- To implement a national coordinating mechanism in all emergency response organizations;
- To integrate the Crisis Management Centre into the national framework;
- To conduct hazard assessments in line with relevant international safety standards to support a graded, justified and optimized approach to nuclear and radiological emergency arrangements;
- To adopt reference levels, generic criteria and operational intervention levels in line with relevant international safety standards, defining guidance values for emergency workers and helpers, and including provisions to register and integrate non-designated emergency workers and helpers into emergency response arrangements; and
- To establish arrangements for environmental and food monitoring during emergencies, setting clear criteria for the termination of emergencies and transition to recovery, and ensuring post-emergency analysis to support continuous improvement.
The team emphasized the importance of ensuring that RSC SES and all key organizations have sufficient qualified personnel to effectively carry out their emergency responsibilities.
“Latvia welcomes the completion of the IAEA EPREV mission, and I thank the international team for their professionalism, expertise and constructive engagement,” said Latvia’s Minister of Climate and Energy, Kaspars Melnis. “This review has enabled us to benchmark our systems against international best practices, identify areas of strength and pinpoint opportunities for improvement. We are committed to translating the mission’s recommendations into concrete measures to further enhance our preparedness and response capabilities, ensure public confidence, and remain aligned with international safety standards. Latvia values its partnership with the IAEA and looks forward to deepening cooperation in the years ahead.”
About EPREV Missions
EPREV missions are one of the peer reviews offered by the IAEA to strengthen nuclear safety in Member States. EPREV missions focus on the arrangements and capabilities to prepare for and respond to nuclear and radiological emergencies. EPREV missions are based on the IAEA Safety Standards in preparedness and response for a nuclear or radiological emergency.
IAEA Safety Standards
The IAEA Safety Standards provide a robust framework of fundamental principles, requirements and guidance to ensure nuclear safety. They reflect an international consensus and serve as a global reference for protecting people and the environment from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation.
