The expert mission to Malawi, in the frame of the CoE project P 60, took place in Lilongwe from 10 to 13 July 2018. Fourteen staff (three were female) from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (AERA), Environmental Affairs Department, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Transport, Malawi Police Service, and Bureau of Statistics participated in the meetings, along with three experts of the Implementing Consortium (ENCO, SCK-CEN, and STUK).
The objectives of the mission were to collect information and assess the status in areas of interest for the CoE project P 60. The discussions addressed legal and regulatory framework, licensing, inspection and enforcement, import/export of radioactive sources, orphan sources, radiological EP&R, inventory of radioactive sources and accountancy, security management including transport, source/waste storage facility as well as the available detection equipment.
AERA explained the structure of the legal and regulatory framework, different coordination mechanisms between AERA and other national organizations involved in safety and security of radioactive material. The authorization process and inspections are based on graded approach for security of radioactive material. AERA is responsible for drafting regulations, in addition to the Atomic Energy Act No. 16 of 2011 and Atomic Energy Regulations of 2012. Guidelines on safe and secure transport of radioactive materials have been developed, and other regulation and guides are being prepared. Malawi has active international cooperation with the IAEA, the EU and neighboring countries (Tanzania, Zambia).
The needs of Malawi that could be addressed within the P 60 include improvement of the control of radioactive material (including for orphan sources), development of SOPs, training and awareness rising. Malawi also expressed its needs for radiation detection and monitoring equipment and related training.
