At the request of the Slovenian Government authorities, an IAEA team of experts visited the Slovenian Nuclear Safety Administration (SNSA) to conduct an International Regulatory Review Team (IRRT) review. The purpose of the mission was to review the effectiveness of the regulatory body of Slovenia and to exchange information and experience in the regulation of nuclear, radiation and radioactive waste safety in the following specific predetermined areas: legislative and governmental responsibilities; authority, responsibilities and functions of the regulatory body; organization of the regulatory body; authorization process; review and assessment; inspection and enforcement; development of regulations and guides; radioactive waste management and decommissioning; and radiation protection.

The review was conducted from 29 November - 10 December 1999, by an IAEA team of nine experts. Before taking part in the mission the experts reviewed the Advanced Reference Material provided by the SNSA. During the mission, a systematic review of the predetermined areas was completed using interviews with staff and direct observation of working practices. The SNSA made available to the team a large number of legal, regulatory and internal documents in English and Slovenian these are listed in Annex IV.

Most of the IRRT activities took place at the Slovenian Nuclear Safety Administration (SNSA) offices in Ljubljana. During the mission, five members of the team visited the nuclear power plant at Krš ko to observe inspection practices or to interview utility management in the areas of regulatory body/utility interface, radioactive waste management and decommissioning, and radiation protection. There were also visits to The Brinje low and intermediate level waste storage facilities at the premises of the Još ef Stefan Institute and to the Emergency Response Centre of the Administration of Civil Protection and Disaster Relief (ACPDR).

In carrying out the review, the team recognized that there are a number of initiatives being taken by the SNSA which are aimed at improving regulatory effectiveness. The team was also aware that a new Act is currently under development which will have an impact on the regulation of nuclear, radiation and radioactive waste safety.