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 9 Feb 2017

UK to leave EURATOM but not the BSSD


The UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has issued the following statement : 'A decision has been taken that the UK will leave Euratom. The European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill will provide the Prime Minister with the power to trigger Article 50 in relation to Euratom. Leaving Euratom is a result of the decision to leave the EU as they are uniquely legally joined. The UK supports Euratom and will want to see continuity of co-operation and standards. We remain absolutely committed to the highest standards of nuclear safety, safeguards and support for the industry. Our aim is clear; we want to maintain our mutually successful civil nuclear co-operation with the EU. This does not change our position on BSSD (Basic Safety Standards Directive 2013) transposition as the UK will still be party to the EU and EURATOM treaties on the transposition date.'

The European Atomic Energy Community (EAEC or Euratom) is an international organization founded in 1957 with the purpose of creating a specialist market for nuclear power in Europe. It is legally distinct from the European Union (EU), but has the same membership, and is governed by the EU's institutions. Euratom monitors the nuclear facilities in the member states of the European Union including safety standards and the flow of nuclear fuels and ores between these countries. It also checks that nuclear energy is only being used for peaceful purposes.