Lithuania:  Nuclear-Related Legislation

5/20/99: LAW ON THE MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE WASTE PASSED

The Law on the Management of Radioactive Waste establishes the legal framework for radioactive waste management in the Republic of Lithuania. The law states that the population must be protected from hazards associated with radioactive waste and that the safety of waste management facilities must be guaranteed during and after their operating life. According to the law, the government controls the siting, construction, commissioning, and decommissioning of radioactive waste facilities. The law defines the responsibilities of various government bodies in the field of radioactive waste management: the State Atomic Energy Safety Inspectorate (VATESI)  regulates the safety of radioactive waste management through issuing licenses, coordinating waste management programs,  establishing the criteria for the classification and acceptance of radioactive waste, and ensuring compliance with requirements; the Ministry of the Economy coordinates the budget for waste management programs with other agencies and ministries and  submit them to the government for approval; the Ministry of the Environment regulates the decontamination of nuclear equipment and establishes the maximum permissible contamination levels; and the Radiation Protection Center supervises radiation protection and controls radioactive waste management at the state level. In addition, the law links the agencies through a system of checks and balances, thus creating interdependence. The law defines the licensing procedures and duties of waste producing facilities, which must handle waste properly and safely before transferring it to the Radioactive Waste Management Agency. The law stipulates the establishment of the Radioactive Waste Management Agency under the Ministry of the Economy, defines its function as the primary agency for radioactive waste management and, when required, storage. The agency is governed by a board appointed by the Minister of the Economy. The state licensing body (currently VATESI) reviews the past practices of existing radioactive waste management facilities and issues recommendations to improve measures for protection against radiation. The law outlines the procedures for the commissioning, operation, decommissioning, and post-closure supervision of a waste management facility. The operator of a facility is responsible for developing and implementing a quality control program to be assessed by the state licensing body. The law includes provisions for emergency preparedness, accident prevention, and accident containment. The law defines the penalties for violation of the law and civil liability for nuclear damage. The law addresses the export, import, and transport of radioactive waste and stipulates that international agreements be observed and that waste be sent only to those states that have the capacity to receive it. 

["Lithuania. Law on the Management of Radioactive Waste (20 May 1999)," Nuclear Law Bulletin, Supplement to No. 64, December 1999.] {Updated by IPZ on 1/1/01}

 

1/12/99: LAW ON RADIATION PROTECTION PASSED

The Law on Radiation Protection governs activities involving sources of radiation and radioactive waste management and seeks to establish a system of protection in order to safeguard the population and the environment from the harmful effects of radiation. The law regulates the handling of radioactive waste through issuing, registering, suspending, renewing, and revoking licenses issued by state institutions other than those specified in the Law on Nuclear Energy. All practices shall be conducted in accordance with three basic principles: the economic and social benefits provided by the use of radiation sources must outweigh any harm to human health and the environment; radiation exposure to humans must be as low as is reasonably achievable; and cumulative exposure must not exceed a fixed value. The government shall approve state programs for protection against radiation, oversee living and economic conditions should a radiological accident occur, establish the State Register of Sources of Ionizing Radiation and Exposure of Workers and approve related regulations, and define the responsibilities of ministries and other state agencies in the field of protection against radiation. The law outlines the responsibilities of municipal authorities, the Ministry of Health, and the Radiation Protection Center (the primary license-issuing institution created by Article 7 of this law). The law establishes which activities involving radiation sources must be licensed, which do not require licensing, and which activities are never permitted. Responsibilities of a licensed institution include registering sources of ionizing radiation, minimizing the exposure of workers, enforcing procedures established by the Ministry of Health, taking preventive measures against accidents, informing consumers about protection against radiation, mitigating accidents, and preventing the transfer of radiation sources to unlicensed entities. Products containing sources of radiation are subject to verification of compliance with requirements of the Radiation Protection Center and the Ministry of the Environment. Responsibilities of and restrictions on workers are given. The law stipulates compulsory training of workers in facilities engaged in work involving sources of ionizing radiation and officers of state and local authorities working in the field of emergency management, and establishes the procedure for monitoring workers' health. The law stipulates that radioactive waste and sources of ionizing radiation no longer in use must be handled in accordance with federal laws. The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Environment must establish the procedure for environmental impact studies and inspections of foodstuffs, drinking water, animal feed, and soil. Both ministries are also responsible for keeping public exposure to natural radiation in buildings below the allowable limit. The law stipulates that medical radiation exposure should be kept to a minimum. Principles of entry into international agreements are described, and should the provisions of these differ from this law, the international agreements shall prevail. According to this law, the government of the Republic of Lithuania must approve the state program for radiation protection by 1 August 1999.  The law entered into force on 1 April 1999.

["Lithuania. Law on radiation Protection (12 January 1999)," Nuclear Law Bulletin, Supplement to No. 64, December 1999.] {Updated by IPZ on 1/2/01}

 

9/23/97: SEIMAS TO STRENGTHEN LAWS ON NUCLEAR VIOLATIONS

The Seimas (Lithuanian parliament) has agreed to amend some laws in the Criminal Code and Administrative Law Violation Codes.[1]  Deputy Minister of Justice Gintaras Svedas drafted the amendments in accordance with the Law on Nuclear Energy.  The most severe punishment is listed in Article 86 of the new Penal Code, which will punish equipment operators for actions (or the failure to act) causing an accident or radiation leak at a nuclear facility.  Punishment will be a prison term of up to five years, or from three to ten years where casualties are involved.  Strike organizers at nuclear plants may receive two years' imprisonment in a labor camp.  The Code of Administrative Law Violations will fine those responsible for demonstrations at nuclear facilities 2500 litas (about $625 as of November 1997) or place them in prison for up to 30 days.[2]

Sources:

[1] "Seimas Is Urged To Make Punishments Sterner For Violations In Nuclear Units," Elta, online edition,  http://elta.elta.lt/txt/news.txt, 23 September 1997.

[2] "Lithuania To Tighten Liability For Nuclear Safety Breaches," Baltic News Service, 26 September 1997.  {entered 10/10/97 djw}

 

7/16/97: LITHUANIA AMENDS ITS NUCLEAR ENERGY LAWS

The Seimas (Parliament) will make amendments to legislation and the criminal code that outline punishments for violations of Lithuania's nuclear energy laws. Among the laws under consideration is punishment for those, who through action or inaction, cause accidents, harm the environment (five years imprisonment), or cause harm to humans (three to ten years imprisonment). Staging strikes or protests at a nuclear plant, conducting nuclear activities without a state license or in violation of safety laws, or entering the territory of a nuclear plant would all likewise result in fines and/or imprisonment. Lithuanian Justice Minister Vytautas Pakalniskis stated that these laws were proposed because of the particular danger nuclear facilities pose for human health.

[Elta, 17 July 1997; in "Government Amends Laws, Codes for Nuclear Violations," FBIS-TAC-97-198.] {entered 9/5/97 djw}

 

11/14/96: PARLIAMENT ADOPTS LAW ON NUCLEAR ENERGY

The Seimas (Lithuanian Parliament) adopted the Law on Nuclear Energy to assure the secure utilization of atomic energy while guaranteeing the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons and trafficking of nuclear materials. The law outlines the basic requirements for procedures involved in the prevention of nuclear and radiation accidents.[1]  The primary goal of the Law on Nuclear Energy is to provide for nuclear safety when nuclear energy is utilized for peaceful means, as well as to prevent the development of nuclear weapons with illegally diverted materials.  The law provides for the following: the basis for nuclear energy management, the principles of state nuclear regulation, conditions for nuclear energy licensing, special conditions for designing and building nuclear facilities, conditions for importing and exporting nuclear materials and equipment, conditions for storing and transporting nuclear materials, conditions for physical protection of nuclear facilities, and requirements for the prevention and control of nuclear and radiological accidents.  The law was written in conformity with Lithuania's obligations under the Nuclear Safety Convention.[2]  According to the law, the state is the overall guarantor of nuclear safety, while safety at the Ignalina plant is the responsibility of management.[3]  The Law on Nuclear Energy holds Ignalina management responsible in the event nuclear materials are misused or stored incorrectly.[4]

[1]"Lithuania Adopts Law On Nuclear Energy," Baltic News Service, 15 November 1996.

[2] "Law on Nuclear Energy," Nuclear Law Bulletin: Supplement to No. 60, December 1997, p. 71.

[3]  "Seimas Approves Nuclear Energy Act," Radio Vilinus Network, 11/14/96, FBIS-TEN-96-011.

[4] "Polnuyu otvetstvennost za nerasprostranyeniye yadernykh materialov iz strany parlament respubliki vozlozhil na administratsiyu Ignalinskoy AES," INFO-TASS, 14 November 1996; in Byulleten tsentra obshchestvennoy informatsii po atomnoy energii, No. 2, 1997, p. 61. {Updated 3/13/98 djw}

 

2/22/96: PASSAGE OF NUCLEAR BILL MAY BE DELAYED

With the resignation of Lithuanian Energy Minister Arvidas Lescinskas, the third minister in four years, passage of the recent draft nuclear law may be delayed. Jan Nistad, director of the Swedish International Project, stated that in order to maintain nuclear safety and pass a nuclear law, continuity in the ministry is essential.

[Ariane Sains, "Lithuanian Energy Minister Change Could Delay Nuclear Law Change," NUCLEONICS WEEK, 2/22/96, p. 14.]

 

1/25/96: COMPLETE DRAFT OF NUCLEAR LAW READY

Jan Nistad, director of the Swedish International Project, stated that a complete draft nuclear law for Lithuania has been reviewed by Finnish, Swedish, and German advisors, and is ready for approval by the Lithuanian government. If approved, it will then be sent to parliament and Lithuania's president for final approval.

[Ariane Sains, "Liability Worries Resolved, ABB to Ship Equipment to Ignalina," NUCLEONICS WEEK, 1/25/96, pp. 14-15.]

 

9/28/95: NUCLEAR POWER LAW IS BEING DRAFTED

It was reported that the Lithuanian government is drafting a framework nuclear power law with the assistance of Swedish experts. The law should be completed in 2-3 months, and will then go before the parliament for review.

[Ariane Sains, "Lithuania Eyes Fund to Finance Decommissioning Ignalina in 2005," NUCLEONICS WEEK, 9/28/95, p.10.]

 

3/19/94: GOVERNMENT ADOPTS RESOLUTION ON FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF NUCLEAR ENERGY

The government of Lithuania adopted resolution No. 288, "On the National Energy Strategy." This resolution covers future development of nuclear energy until 1998.

["World Status Report 1994," NUCLEAR EUROPE WORLDSCAN, 7-8/95, pp.68-9.]

 

10/13-14/93: NUCLEAR AND RADIATION SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE APPOINTS GROUP TO REVIEW SAFETY AT IGNALINA

The Nuclear and Radiation Safety Advisory Committee met for the first time and appointed an independent group to review safety at Ignalina; specifically: 1) whether unit 2 should have operated through 1993 despite leaks, 2) the replacement of some valves, and 3) the possibility that a fuel assembly was missing in 2/93.

Sources:

[1] Nuclear Energy Institute, "Source Book," 1996, p. 192.

[2] INTERNATIONAL DEFENSE REVIEW, 11/3/93; in Philip Sheppard, ed., "Lithuania's Safety Committee - A Who's Who," NucNet News, No. 393, 11/2/93.

 

5/93: DECREE ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NUCLEAR RADIATION SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE ISSUED

The Lithuanian government issued a decree for the establishment of the Nuclear Radiation Safety Advisory Committee to aid VATESI in 3 areas: 1) to develop standard rules for current energy regulation, 2) to develop standard rules for national legislation, 3) to exercise regulatory control over Ignalina's safe operation. The committee is composed of advisors from the U.K., Germany, Sweden, Finland, Ukraine, Russia, and Lithuania.

[Nuclear Energy Institute, "Source Book," 1996, p. 192.]

Last Updated 17 May 2001

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