International Reviews

International reviews by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) are designed to evaluate the state’s regulatory infrastructure for nuclear, radiation, physical safety and nuclear security and activities of the regulatory bodies with respect to IAEA safety standards and best practices, and provide recommendations and suggestions for improvement.

VATESI responsibly implement the recommendations of the experts’, pursuing qualitative regulation of the safety areas and to protect society and the environment from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation.

IAEA conduct the international reviews at the request of the Lithuanian Government authorities.

IAEA Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS mission) – 2026 

An international assessment mission of Lithuania’s nuclear and radiation safety regulatory and supervisory system (hereinafter referred to as the IRRS mission) took place from May 18 to 29, 2026. During the mission, experts invited by the IAEA assessed whether the regulatory and supervisory infrastructure for nuclear and radiation safety, as well as the activities carried out by the regulatory authorities, comply with the nuclear and radiation safety standards established by the IAEA and recognized by the international community.

Lithuania has a robust and mature regulatory system covering all aspects of radiation and nuclear safety, and VATESI and Radiation Protection Centre (RSC) have demonstrated their commitment to further strengthening and improving this well-functioning system.

In their conclusions, the IRRS experts did not identify any significant non-conformities in Lithuania’s regulatory system; however, they noted that there are areas where further improvements can be made to better align with IAEA safety standards.

The IRRS mission experts formulated 5 recommendations and 8 suggestions on how to strengthen and improve the nuclear and radiation safety regulatory and oversight system.

The experts noted that the implementation of these recommendations and proposals, as well as more active cooperation and coordination of activities between VATESI and the RSC, would contribute to the further strengthening of the overall regulatory system.

Report of the IRRS mission to Republic of Lithuania (PDF)

IAEA News Release:
IAEA Mission Says Lithuania Committed to Continuous Improvement of Nuclear and Radiation Safety Regulation 

IAEA expert mission for the management of Lithuanian radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel and the decommissioning of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (ARTEMIS mission)

On 16–25 May 2022, IAEA experts assessed the radioactive waste and spent fuel management system in Lithuania and provided recommendations and suggestions for improvement. management of Lithuanian radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel and the decommissioning of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (ARTEMIS mission). IAEA experts assessed the radioactive waste and spent fuel management system in Lithuania and provided recommendations and suggestions for improvement.

Experts team noted that Lithuania has an effective regulatory framework and clear requirements for the safe management of radioactive waste generated during the operation of the nuclear power plant and that will be generated during its decommissioning.

The mission's experts highlighted the successful ongoing development of the national radioactive waste management infrastructure and the communication with stakeholders, and provided Lithuania with recommendations and suggestions on the compiling the elements of the national policy into one document, updating the financial projections for the radioactive waste management program to take into account potential risks and inflation and to ensure funding after 2030.

Report of the ARTEMIS mission to Lithuania (.pdf)

More information about ARTEMIS mission in Lithuania on the Ministry of Energy website: International peer review missions
 

IAEA Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) Follow-up mission

On 16 November – 2 December 2020 IAEA carried out Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) Follow-up mission. The experts reviewed the progress made by Lithuania in strengthening the nuclear and radiation safety system and implemented recommendations and proposals that were submitted during the first IRRS mission in 2016.

The IRRS team noted the Lithuanian authorities showed a strong commitment to nuclear and radiation safety and have taken active steps to address the recommendations and suggestions identified in 2016. Lithuania has implemented 26 out of the 27 recommendations and 31 out of the 32 suggestions. In addition to an improved integration of IAEA safety standards into the legal framework on radiation protection, the review team welcomed that the framework was amended to increase public involvement in regulatory decision-making.

Experts submitted several new recommendations to VATESI regarding the updating of the safety analysis before the closure of repositories and the regulation of unplanned inspections at nuclear power facilities and to the Radiation Protection Centre on the improvement of radiation safety regulation of uncontrolled sources of ionizing radiation.

Report of the IRRS follow-up mission to Republic of Lithuania (.pdf)

IAEA press release: IAEA Experts Conduct First Virtual Safety Peer Review Mission, See Strengthened Safety in Lithuania

More information about IAEA IRRS mission: Integrated Regulatory Review Service

IAEA International Physical Protection Advisory Service (IPPAS) mission

On 9–20 October 2017, IAEA carried out a full scale (five module) International Physical Protection Advisory Service (IPPAS) mission. Taking into account international documents and recommendations of IAEA Nuclear Security Series, international experts evaluated legal regulations of physical security, security measures and their application in nuclear facilities, and in shipment of nuclear and other radioactive materials.

IAEA experts said that the existing Lithuanian physical security regime of nuclear facilities and nuclear and other radioactive materials was mature and well developed, and provided seven recommendations and 23 proposals on improvement areas. Experts of the IPPAS mission noted that Lithuanian physical security regime was compliant with international nuclear security requirements and recommendations, and that the legal framework that was consistently improved covered all the activity areas. Furthermore, they provided nine best practice examples that were shared with other countries.

IAEA News Release: IAEA Completes Nuclear Security Advisory Mission in Lithuania

More information about IAEA IPPAS mission: International Physical Protection Advisory Service (IPPAS)

IAEA Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS mission)

17–19 April, 2016  IAEA team of experts assessed the regulatory framework for nuclear and radiation safety in Lithuania, where nuclear and radiation safety is regulated by the Nuclear Power Safety Inspectorate (VATESI) and the Radiation Protection Centre (RSC).

The team of experts stated that Lithuania’s bodies involved in nuclear and radiation safety regulation are committed to provide effective oversight but noted they need to ensure they have adequate resources for challenges ahead.

The team of experts made recommendations and suggestions to the regulatory bodies and the Government to support their ongoing work to further develop the safety infrastructure: conduct a comprehensive assessment of human resource needs in relation to safety, improve information dissemination to residents near nuclear facilities, elaborate inspection programme.

Report of the IRRS mission to Republic of Lithuania (.pdf)

IAEA News Release: IAEA Mission Says Lithuania Committed to Nuclear and Radiation Safety Regulation, Sees Challenges Ahead

More information about IAEA IRRS mission: Integrated Regulatory Review Service