Director of Serbian Radiation and Nuclear Safety and Security Directorate (SRBATOM), Sladjan Velinov, together with his associates, received today ORPAS mission delegation during their work visit to our country. In his welcome speech, the Director expressed his pleasure with the support of the Directorate to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in the organization of this mission, and pointed at the high level of cooperation and understanding between these two institutions. “I am certain that our cooperation in the following period will be additionally promoted and that the IAEA, as one of the most reliable partners of our country in the process of strengthening radiation security and protection of operators, the environment and the public in general, will support our plans for further enhancements in this field”, said Velinov.

ORPAS missions are conducted as an independent appraisal service in the field of radiation protection of workers. Such an appraisal is an opportunity for a state to have all or some aspects of its occupational radiation protection programme independently assessed and evaluated against international safety standards. The purpose of the assessment is to check the legislative and regulatory infrastructure and practical implementation of a state’s occupational radiation protection programme.

“As the National Liaison Officer with the IAEA, I would like to point out that one of the priorities of the Directorate in the forthcoming period will be directed at furthering our excellent cooperation with this Agency. We attach great importance to the experience and knowledge gained from the IAEA experts, and, thus greet their presence at this preliminary meeting serving to realize the ORPAS mission in our country in May 2025”, added SRBATOM Director.

The independent ORPAS mission appraisal can be a basis for maintaining or improving the programme efficiency, as well as for an unbiased and impartial identification of the areas that may require enhancements in order to meet the international guidance and best practice.

The appraisal is based on international standards and takes into account the specific conditions in the requesting member state. It also identifies specific national strengths, such as good practices in occupational radiation protection, that could be shared with the other States.

Finally, Director Velinov concluded that all of this can come as a significant support in enhancing our legal, technical and administrative framework in the process of achieving a high level of occupational radiation protection in Serbia.