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ARMENIA

The Law for the Safe Utilisation of Atomic Energy for Peaceful Purposes*

adopted on 1 February 1999

This Law defines the legal basis and relations settlement principles applying to the utilisation of atomic energy, which aim to protect human life, health, property and the environment, to encourage the advancement of nuclear science and technical development and to co-operate in the strengthening of the international regime governing the safe utilisation of atomic energy.

Section 1

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1

Basic Terms Used in this Law

The following terms are used in this Law:

Personnel – any person who, temporary or permanently, works at an atomic energy utilisation object.

Safety – nuclear and radiation safety.

Safety culture – a set of characteristics and features of individuals’ behaviour and activities of enterprises, institutions and organisations (hereinafter referred to as “enterprises”) that ensures the predominance of safety requirements over other requirements.

Supervised area – an area designated outside the atomic energy utilisation object where control of the radiation situation is performed during the normal operation of the object.

Regulatory Authority – a state authority empowered with regulatory powers in the field of the utilisation of atomic energy.

Ionising radiation – radiation capable of producing ion pairs in biological substances.

*            Translation kindly provided by the Armenian authorities.

Ionising radiation source – a physical object capable of emitting ionising radiation.

Licence – an authorisation granted by the regulatory authority on the basis of the safety assessment and accompanied by the requirements and conditions that must be fulfilled by a licensee.

Licensee – a legal or physical person  holding a licence.

Special materials, equipment and technology – materials, equipment and technology useful for the manufacture of nuclear weapons.

Radioactive material – material, other than nuclear material, that emits ionising radiation capable of causing nuclear damage.

Nuclear material – fissionable material that can be used for a chain reaction.

Nuclear facility – a facility where nuclear materials are produced, used, reprocessed, stored or transported.

Nuclear damage – damage that can be caused to the health of an individual, to the property of legal and/or physical persons, as well as to state property, and capable of causing environment contamination as a result of a nuclear or radiological accident.

Radioactive waste – radioactive material for which no further purpose is foreseen and which is subject to isolation from the environment.

Nuclear accident – any event which causes nuclear damage or an imminent threat of nuclear damage.

National emergency response system – all of the state authorities and organisations that fulfil functions defined in the emergency response plans in the event of an emergency at an atomic energy utilisation object.

Atomic energy utilisation object – nuclear materials, radioactive materials, radioactive waste, other sources of ionising radiation, special materials, equipment and technologies as well as nuclear facilities, radioactive waste facilities or any other object where activities involving ionising radiation sources, nuclear, radioactive and special materials or radioactive waste are carried out.

Article 2

The Legislation of the Republic of Armenia for the Safe Utilisation of Atomic Energy for Peaceful Purposes

1. In the Republic of Armenia the relations involved in the field of atomic energy utilisation are governed by the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia, the international treaties ratified by the Republic of Armenia, this Law and other legal acts.
2. If the international treaties ratified by the Republic of Armenia stipulate other regulations than those established in this Law, the regulations of the treaty are applied.

Article 3

The Principles and Tasks of Legal Regulation in the Field of Atomic Energy Utilisation

1. The basic principles of legal regulation in the field of atomic energy utilisation are as follows:

a)            to ensure the protection of individuals, the public and the environment from nuclear damage during the use of atomic energy;

b)           to ensure that safety conditions predominate during the use of atomic energy;

c)            to guarantee the availability of information that does not contain state or official secrets concerning the use of atomic energy;

d)           to provide for the participation of the concerned legal and physical persons in discussions of drafts of legislative and other legal acts;

e)            to ensure compensation for nuclear damage.

1. The basic tasks of legal regulation in the field of atomic energy utilisation are as follows:

a)            to establish the legal basis for the regulation and safety of the use of atomic energy;

b)           to determine the respective jurisdiction of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, republican and regional state authorities and local authorities in the field of atomic energy utilisation.

Article 4

Types of Activities in the Field of Atomic Energy Utilisation

1. This Law applies to the following types of activities in the field of atomic energy utilisation:

a)            the state regulation of nuclear and radiation safety;

b)           site selection for atomic energy utilisation objects, their design, construction, operation and decommissioning;

c)            activities involving nuclear and radioactive materials, including their transport, export, import, use, storage and disposal;

d)           accounting and control of nuclear, radioactive and special materials, radioactive waste, special equipment and technologies;

e)            physical protection of atomic energy utilisation objects;

f)            control of the radiation situation in the Republic of Armenia;

g)           training and retraining of personnel in the field of atomic energy utilisation;

h)           implementation of other activities in the field of atomic energy utilisation.

1. Issues related to fire, technical, health and ecological protection of atomic energy utilisation objects are governed by the laws and other legal acts in agreement with the regulatory authority.

Article 5

Ownership of Atomic Energy Utilisation Objects

1. In the Republic of Armenia, nuclear facilities, nuclear and special materials, special equipment and technologies are considered to be the property of the Republic of Armenia.
2. Other atomic energy utilisation objects that are not mentioned under sub-section 1 may be under any type of ownership.
3. The rights and obligations of owners of atomic energy utilisation objects are determined by this Law, the laws of the Republic of Armenia and other legal acts.

Article 6

Safety Regulations and Rules

1. The nuclear and radiation safety rules and regulations (hereinafter referred to as “safety rules and regulations”) determine those criteria, requirements and conditions governing the safe use of atomic energy, fulfilment of which is mandatory in respect of any activity performed in the field of atomic energy utilisation.
2. The procedure of development, agreement and approval of safety rules and regulations is determined by this Law and other legal acts.

Section 2

THE JURISDICTION OF STATE AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES IN THE FIELD OF ATOMIC ENERGY UTILISATION

Article 7

The Jurisdiction of the Government of the Republic of Armenia in the Field of Atomic Energy Utilisation

In the field of atomic energy utilisation, the Government of the Republic of Armenia:

a)            determines the basic orientation of scientific research, investment and state structural policy;

b)           organises the development and approval of the target state programmes and develops the activities necessary to ensure their implementation;

c)            approves the list of special materials, equipment and technologies submitted by the regulatory authority;

d)           approves the list of objects important in terms of safety submitted by the regulatory authority and the licensing procedure for their construction and decommissioning;

e)            authorises the construction and decommissioning of atomic energy utilisation objects important in terms of safety;

f)            organises measures to protect the public, the personnel of atomic energy utilisation objects and the environment from the harmful effects of ionising radiation;

g)           organises measures for the preparedness of the state authorities and enterprises involved in the national emergency response system for possible emergency situations at atomic energy utilisation objects and for mitigation of their consequences;

h)           organises in the Republic of Armenia the system of radiation situation control  and determines the procedure of respective activities of the state authorities involved in this system;

i)            organises the provision of necessary financial means as required under Article 36 of this Law for compensation of nuclear damage;

j)            organises the physical protection of atomic energy utilisation facilities;

k)           approves the safety rules and regulations submitted by the regulatory authority;

l)            approves the list of activities and positions important in terms of safety submitted by the regulatory authority;

m)          guarantees the fulfilment of international commitments made by the Republic of Armenia pursuant to international treaties in the field of atomic energy utilisation which it has ratified;

n)           co-ordinates the international activities performed by the Republic of Armenia in the field of atomic energy utilisation;

• o)           performs other authorities determined by this Law and the laws of the Republic of Armenia.

Article 8

Jurisdiction of the Republican State Authorities in the Field of Atomic Energy Utilisation

The republican state authorities in the field of atomic energy utilisation:

a)            define scientific, technical, investment and state structural policy in the field of atomic energy utilisation;

b)           ensure the management of the state-owned atomic energy utilisation objects;

c)            develop safety rules and regulations in agreement with the regulatory authority;

d)           develop and perform safety-related measures for those objects that are under their jurisdiction;

e)            develop and perform measures for protection against fire, and for the technical, health and ecological protection of atomic energy utilisation objects;

f)            develop and perform measures for the physical protection of atomic energy utilisation objects;

g)           organise the training of personnel who carry out activities in the field of atomic energy utilisation;

h)           ensure the preparedness of the bodies under their control for response to emergencies at atomic energy utilisation objects and for implementation of protective measures;

i)            organise and perform the radiation situation control at atomic energy utilisation objects and their supervised areas;

j)            organise and perform state accounting and control of nuclear, radioactive and special materials, radioactive waste, special equipment and technologies;

k)           organise and perform controls on the export and import of nuclear, radioactive and special materials, radioactive waste, special equipment and technologies;

l)            perform other authorities determined by the legislation of the Republic of Armenia.

Article 9

The Jurisdiction of the Regional State Authorities in the Field of Atomic Energy Utilisation

In the field of atomic energy utilisation the regional state authorities, in their respective jurisdictions:

a)            ensure the fulfilment in each region of requirements established in the legislation of the Republic of Armenia for the safe use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes;

b)           participate in the development of emergency response plans at atomic energy objects;

c)            organise and implement measures to protect the population of the community and to mitigate the consequences of radiological accidents.

Article 10

The Jurisdiction of Local Authorities in the Field of Atomic Energy Utilisation

In the field of atomic energy utilisation, the local authorities are empowered by the state to do the following:

a)            ensure the participation of the population of the community in public discussions and investigations on the design of atomic energy utilisation objects to be constructed on the territory of that community;

b)           grant  construction licenses, as required by the legislation and other legal  acts, for atomic energy utilisation objects of local importance on the territory of the community;

c)            organise and implement measures for the protection of the population of the community in the event of a radiological accident, and to mitigate the consequences of such an accident.

Section 3

RIGHTS OF LEGAL AND PHYSICAL PERSONS IN THE FIELD OF ATOMIC ENERGY UTILISATION

Article 11

The Right to Implement Activities in the Field of Atomic Energy Utilisation

In the Republic of Armenia, the persons licensed in the manner prescribed have the right to implement measures in the field of atomic energy utilisation. Their rights, obligations and responsibilities are determined by this Law and other legal acts of the Republic of Armenia and the terms of their licence.

Article 12

The Right to Obtain Information in the Field of Atomic Energy Utilisation

Legal and physical persons of the Republic of Armenia have the right to obtain information from the competent state authorities about the safety of objects being designed, constructed, operated and decommissioned, as well as information concerning the radiation situation in the Republic of Armenia, to the extent that this information does not contain state or official secrets.

Article 13

The Right to Compensation for Nuclear Damage

1. Legal and physical persons who suffer nuclear damage have the right to receive compensation for such damage.
2. The measures, procedures and terms governing compensation of nuclear damage as well as its financial sources are determined by the legislation of the Republic of Armenia.

Article 14

The Right of Patients Exposed to Radiation for Medical Purposes

1. The option of being exposed to radiation for medical purposes is assigned to the citizen or his legal representative.
2. A medical practitioner is obliged to provide information to a citizen who may be or who has been exposed to radiation for medical purposes, about the radiation dose which will be or which has been administered to him.

Section 4

STATE REGULATION ON SAFETY IN THE FIELD OF ATOMIC ENERGY UTILISATION

Article 15

State Regulatory Authority in the Field of Atomic Energy Utilisation

State regulation in the field of atomic energy utilisation is performed by the state regulatory authority which reports directly to the Government of the Republic of Armenia and is financed from the state budget.

Article 16

The Jurisdiction of the Regulatory Authority

The regulatory authority:

a)            develops and submits for approval to the Government of the Republic of Armenia safety regulations and rules;

b)           carries out safety assessments of activities, objects and equipment in the field of atomic energy utilisation;

c)            is responsible for the licensing of activities in the field of atomic energy utilisation, as well as the licensing of physical persons carrying out important roles and implementing measures important in terms of safety;

d)           controls the fulfilment of the requirements of the legislation of the Republic of Armenia for the Safe Utilisation of Atomic Energy for Peaceful Purposes as well as the fulfilment of licence conditions by  legal and physical persons;

e)            withdraws licences if a licensee does not fulfil the terms and conditions of the licence;

f)            submits reports to the President, the National Assembly and the Government of the Republic of Armenia at least every three months on the nuclear and radiation safety situation in the Republic of Armenia, in certain parts of the territory or on certain atomic energy utilisation objects;

g)           provides the state and local authorities, enterprises and organisations, and mass media sources with concise information on nuclear and radiation safety issues;

h)           controls the preparedness of the operating organisations of atomic energy utilisation objects as well as that of the state authorities and enterprises involved in the national system of emergency response;

i)            in the event of an emergency, assesses the situation in atomic energy utilisation objects, provides a prognosis on possible changes in the object and adjacent territories and gives recommendations on the implementation of necessary protective measures to the state authorities and enterprises involved in the national emergency response system;

j)            is responsible for the early international notification  of an emergency occurring at anatomic energy utilisation object or during implementation of activities at an atomic energy utilisation object;

k)           organises and performs investigations on safety improvement in the field of atomic energy utilisation;

l)            controls the fulfilment of the commitments of the Republic of Armenia pursuant to international treaties which it has ratified, jointly with the state authority entrusted by the Government of the Republic of Armenia with responsibility for international relations;

m)          controls the safeguards applicable to nuclear and special materials, special equipment and technologies;

n)           co-operates with the competent international and foreign organisations on safety issues;

• o)           performs other authorities determined by the legislation of the Republic of Armenia.

Article 17

The Jurisdiction of State Inspectors of the Regulatory Authority

1. The state inspectors have the right to:

a)            inspect atomic energy utilisation objects and the activities carried out there freely and without obstruction, using the necessary measurement and registration instruments, including audio and video recorders;

b)           enter official and industrial sites of atomic energy utilisation objects freely and without obstruction;

c)            take samples and obtain data for the implementation of state control;

d)           to install the necessary control devices in atomic energy utilisation objects;

e)            where they have discovered a violation of the safety rules and regulations, to give orders to the licensees, and in the event of a threat to the population or the environment, to give orders to interrupt activities.

1. The state inspectors are obliged:

a)            to respect the legislation of the Republic of Armenia in force;

b)           not to make public any information about an inspected object that contains a state or official secret;

c)            not to interfere with the normal course of activities in the inspected object;

d)           to inform the officials of the inspected object of the rights and obligations of state inspectors;

e)            to protect the rights as determined by law and the legal interests of the inspected object.

1. The state inspectors are liable for breach or for non-satisfactory fulfilment of their obligations in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Armenia.

Section 5

LICENSING IN THE FIELD OF ATOMIC ENERGY UTILISATION

Article 18

Licensing in the field of Atomic Energy Utilisation

1. The licensing procedure applicable in the field of atomic energy utilisation is determined by this Law, the laws of the Republic of Armenia and other legal acts.
2. In the field of atomic energy utilisation the following are subject to licensing:

a)            implementation of activities in relation to site selection, design, construction, preparation, commissioning, operation, use, maintenance, repair, reconstruction and decommissioning of nuclear facilities and radioactive waste facilities, ionising radiation sources and storage;

b)           implementation of activities in relation to nuclear and radioactive materials and radioactive waste, including their transport, use, storage, reprocessing and disposal;

c)            import and export of nuclear, radioactive and special materials, radioactive waste, special equipment and technologies;

d)           design and preparation of materials, equipment, devices and systems for atomic energy utilisation objects;

e)            examination of atomic energy utilisation objects, their design and other documents.

1. The licence granted to carry out activities in the field of atomic energy utilisation confirms the rights of the licensee in relation to this activity and defines the necessary limits and conditions for the safe implementation of such activities. The license granted to the licensee to carry out such activities does not exempt him from fulfilment of other requirements as determined by other legal acts of the Republic of Armenia.
2. Licences in the field of atomic energy utilisation are granted for a fixed period of time for the activities listed in sub-section 2.
3. The adoption of new safety rules and regulations do not affect the validity of a licence. If the requirements set out in the licence do not correspond to the new safety rules and regulations, the licensee is obliged, within a fixed period of time, to develop corresponding organisational and technical measures in agreement with the regulatory authority.
4. If the licence granted to the operating organisation is withdrawn, the responsibility for safety conditions is passed on to the owner of the object. The owner of the facility will fulfil the responsibilities of the latter until a new operating organisation is created. Where the owner and the licensee of the object are one and the same person or entity, the question of responsibility for safety conditions is addressed in accordance with the applicable legislation of the Republic of Armenia.
5. The licence to the  physical persons and persons holding high post and performing activities important in terms of safety in the field of atomic energy utilisation, is granted if the medical certificate is available. The procedures to acquire a medical certificate and the positions for which it is required as well as the procedures for medical examinations are determined by the Government of the Republic of Armenia.

Section 6

OPERATION OF ATOMIC ENERGY UTILISATION OBJECTS

Article 19

The Operating Organisation

1. The operating organisation is a legal person authorised by the owner of the atomic energy utilisation object or a legal person recognised as such, which through its own resources or with the involvement of other legal persons, selects the site for the object and is responsible for its design, construction, operation, commissioning and decommissioning as well as the activities involving nuclear and radioactive materials carried out there.
2. The operating organisation is responsible for the safe operation of the atomic energy utilisation object, as well as for the safety measures applicable to the activities involving nuclear and radioactive materials carried out there.
3. It is prohibited to interfere in the activities of the operating organisation in respect of the operation of the atomic energy utilisation object, except where expressly provided by the Law and other legal acts of the Republic of Armenia.

Article 20

Jurisdiction of the Operating Organisation

1. The operating organisation:

a)            develops and implements safety measures in the atomic energy utilisation object;

b)           ensures that a safety culture is maintained;

c)            periodically submits reports in the manner prescribed on the safety of the object to the regulatory authority;

d)           ensures that nuclear, radioactive and special materials, special equipment and technologies are put to useful purposes;

e)            ensures the physical protection of atomic energy utilisation objects, nuclear, radioactive and special materials, special equipment and technologies;

f)            develops the quality assurance programme for each stage in the lifetime of the atomic energy utilisation object (site selection, design, construction, commissioning, operation, decommissioning) and ensures its implementation;

g)           organises the control of dose limits amongst personnel in the manner prescribed;

h)           organises the accounting and control of nuclear, radioactive and special materials and radioactive waste;

i)            organises and conducts investigations in the manner prescribed into incidents and accidents occurring during the operation of atomic energy utilisation objects;

j)            develops the response plan in the manner prescribed for emergencies occurring in the atomic energy utilisation object and ensures the preparedness of personnel and the necessary resources for its implementation;

k)           develops the programme of activities for protection against fire in the atomic energy utilisation object and ensures its implementation;

l)            organises the recruitment and training of skilled personnel to work in the atomic energy utilisation object, or with nuclear and radioactive materials;

m)          ensures that the health and social conditions governing the personnel of the atomic energy utilisation object are in accordance with the current regulations;

n)           carries out periodical safety assessments of the object to ascertain its compatibility with the most recent safety requirements;

• o)           performs other authorities determined by this Law and other legislative and legal acts of the Republic of Armenia.

1. The operating organisation of the atomic energy utilisation object carries out the following tasks important in terms of safety:

a)            establishes the services that control the nuclear and radiation safety;

b)           organises the permanent control over the radiation situation in the controlled and supervised areas of the atomic energy utilisation object;

c)            provides periodically the governor (mayor of Yerevan) of the territory included in the supervised area of the atomic energy utilisation object with information in the manner prescribed on the radiation situation in the supervised area.

Section 7

IONISING RADIATION SOURCES AND RADIOACTIVE WASTE

Article 21

State System of Accounting and Control of Ionising Radiation Sources and Radioactive Waste

1. Ionising radiation sources which are subject to safety regulation and radioactive waste existing or generated in the Republic of Armenia are subject to state registration, accounting and control.
2. The responsibility for the state registration of ionising radiation sources and radioactive waste is assigned to the licensees who manage such sources, or whose activities result in the generation of radioactive waste.
3. The list of ionising radiation sources subject to safety regulation and the procedure governing the state registration of ionising radiation sources and radioactive waste are determined by the Government of the Republic of Armenia upon proposal of the regulatory authority.

Article 22

Transport, Export and Import of Nuclear and Radioactive Materials

1. The transport of nuclear and radioactive materials is performed in accordance with the safety rules and regulations, as well as with the special transport rules that are approved by the Government of the Republic of Armenia upon proposal of the regulatory authority.
2. The import of radioactive waste into the Republic of Armenia from other states is prohibited except where the waste was generated by the other state as a result of rendering a certain service to the Republic of Armenia and their import into the Republic of Armenia is foreseen under the international treaties of the Republic of Armenia, to the extent that the quantity and general activity of the radioactive waste correspond to the current technological conditions.
3. The transport, export and import of radioactive waste are governed by this Law, other laws and the international treaties of the Republic of Armenia.

Article 23

Prevention of Possible Extreme Situations during the Transport of Nuclear and Radioactive Materials and Response to these Situations

The transport companies which transport nuclear and radioactive materials, together with exporters and receiving persons and if necessary, jointly with other state authorities, are obliged to develop, in agreement with the regulatory authority, a plan related to the prevention of traffic accidents, localisation and mitigation of their consequences, and plans on protection of the personnel of atomic energy utilisation objects, the public, the environment and material property. The procedures governing the development and agreement of such plans are determined by the Government of the Republic of Armenia upon proposal of the regulatory authority.

Article 24

Storage and Disposal of Radioactive Waste

1. The storage and disposal of radioactive waste is permitted only in special storage facilities created for such a purpose.
2. The procedure governing radioactive waste collection, storage and disposal is determined by the Government of the Republic of Armenia upon proposal of the regulatory authority.

Section 8

PHYSICAL PROTECTION OF ATOMIC ENERGY UTILISATION OBJECTS

Article 25

Physical Protection of Atomic Energy Utilisation Objects

1. The physical protection standards governing atomic energy utilisation objects are a set of technical and organisational measures which aim to:

a)            prevent entrance of strangers into atomic energy utilisation objects and facilities or locations where nuclear, radioactive and special materials, radioactive waste and special equipment are stored;

b)           prevent strangers from approaching nuclear, radioactive and special materials, radioactive waste and special equipment;

c)            discover and prevent in a timely manner any attempt to steal or destroy nuclear, radioactive or special materials, radioactive waste, special equipment or technologies;

d)           discover and prevent in a timely manner any actions of diversion or terrorism which threaten the safety of atomic energy utilisation objects;

e)            discover and return nuclear, radioactive or special materials, radioactive waste, special equipment or technologies which have been lost or stolen.

1. Licensees are responsible for the physical protection of atomic energy utilisation objects under their jurisdiction and, if necessary, can use the services of special organisations empowered by the state authorities.
2. The state regulation of physical protection of atomic energy utilisation objects is performed by the regulatory authority.
3. The physical protection of atomic energy utilisation objects is ensured during all stages of their design, construction, operation and decommissioning.

Article 26

Requirements Concerning the Physical Protection of Atomic Energy Utilisation Objects

1. The requirements governing the physical protection of atomic energy utilisation objects are determined by the safety regulations.
2. The operation of atomic energy utilisation objects as well as any activities involving nuclear, radioactive or special materials, radioactive waste, special equipment or technologies during each stage of their production, use, reprocessing, transportation or storage are prohibited if physical protection is not ensured.

Section 9

LEGAL LIMITATIONS IN THE FIELD OF ATOMIC ENERGY UTILISATION

Article 27

Establishment of a Special Legal Regime on the Site of Atomic Energy Utilisation Objects Important in Terms of Safety

1. A special legal regime may be established on the site of an atomic energy utilisation object, which is important in terms of safety.
2. The procedure governing the establishment of such a special legal regime, the sizes of corresponding zones and the type of limitations applicable in the zones are governed by this Law and other legal acts of the Republic of Armenia.
3. The responsibility for adhering to the established special legal regime on the territory of the site of an atomic energy utilisation object important in terms of safety is assigned to the operating organisation which has jurisdiction over that object.

Article 28

Limitation of Rights of Persons working in the Premises of Enterprises that Perform Activities involving the Use of Atomic Energy Utilisation Objects

1. With a view to ensuring physical protection, the personnel, expert missions and visitors of enterprises that perform activities involving the use of atomic energy utilisation objects, nuclear, radioactive or special materials, radioactive waste, special equipment or technologies, their personal belongings and means of transportation are subject to inspection using special equipment capable of revealing ammunition, weapons, explosive or toxic substances, or other devices useful for diversion.
2. It is prohibited to enter, without appropriate permission, into the designated areas and checkpoints established around the enterprises that perform activities involving the use of atomic energy utilisation objects, nuclear, radioactive or special materials, radioactive waste, special equipment or technologies. It is furthermore forbidden to take photographs, video recordings or films of the engineering and technical protective systems and tools.

Article 29

Restriction of the Right to Work at Atomic Energy Utilisation Objects

Activities involving the use of atomic energy utilisation objects, nuclear, radioactive or special materials, radioactive waste, special equipment or technologies must not be performed by:

a)            persons with restricted capabilities or persons recognised as disabled in the manner prescribed pursuant to the legislation of the Republic of Armenia;

b)           persons who suffer from diseases as set out in a list of medical conditions in relation to the use of atomic energy utilisation objects and ionising radiation sources;

c)            persons who are not entitled to have knowledge of state and official secrets for implementation of the present work.

Article 30

Limitation of Rights to Conduct Public Activities On and Outside the Territory of Nuclear Facilities and/or Radioactive Waste Facilities

1. The operating personnel of a nuclear or radioactive waste facility are strictly forbidden to organise and conduct strikes.
2. It is prohibited to hold unauthorised meetings, public meetings, marches and other public activities on the territory of a nuclear or radioactive waste facility.
3. It is prohibited to hold unauthorised meetings, public meetings, marches, barricades of roads and other public activities outside the territory of a nuclear or radioactive waste facility where such actions are liable to disturb the operation of the nuclear or radioactive waste facility or prevent the personnel of the facility or of the regulatory authority from fulfilling their official responsibilities and/or to create a situation threatening the safety of the public and the environment.
4. If, as a consequence of the actions mentioned under sub-paragraph 3, damage is caused to the state and/or to the owner of the atomic energy utilisation object and/or to the citizens, such damage is subject to compensation in the manner prescribed pursuant to the legislation of the Republic of Armenia.

Section 10

SAFEGUARDS FOR NUCLEAR, RADIOACTIVE AND SPECIAL MATERIALS, RADIOACTIVE

WASTE, SPECIAL EQUIPMENT AND TECHNOLOGIES

Article 31

State System of Accounting and Control of Nuclear, Radioactive and Special Materials, Equipment and Technologies

1. In the Republic of Armenia, nuclear and radioactive materials, equipment and technologies are subject to state accounting and control.
2. In the Republic of Armenia, state accounting and control of nuclear and special materials, equipment and technologies is organised and performed by the regulatory authority.
3. The procedure governing state accounting and control of nuclear and special materials, equipment and technologies is determined by the laws of the Republic of Armenia and other legal acts.

Article 32

Limitations to the Export of Nuclear, Radioactive and Special Materials, Radioactive Waste, Special Equipment and Technologies

1. It is prohibited to export from the Republic of Armenia nuclear, radioactive and special materials, radioactive waste, special equipment and technologies to countries that:

a)            have not made a commitment to use these materials, equipment and technologies exclusively for peaceful purposes;

b)           do not ensure their physical protection;

c)            have not provided assurances concerning the existence in their countries of a state system of accounting and control of nuclear, radioactive and special materials, radioactive waste, special equipment and technologies;

d)           have not made any commitments in terms of export of nuclear, radioactive and special materials, radioactive waste, special equipment and technologies to third countries.

1. Issues related to the transit of nuclear, radioactive and special materials, radioactive waste, special equipment and technologies across the territory of the Republic of Armenia are governed by the legislation of the Republic of Armenia and international treaties.

Section 11

NUCLEAR DAMAGE AND COMPENSATION

Article 33

Nuclear Damage and Liability for Compensation

1. The liability for nuclear damage caused to physical and legal persons or to the environment as a result of activities carried out in the field of atomic energy utilisation is assigned to the licensee carrying out such activities.
2. Nuclear damage caused to legal and physical persons, to their privacy or to the environment due to exposure to radiation and a number of other dangerous factors is subject to compensation.
3. If a person suffers simultaneously nuclear damage and other damage, which cannot be reasonably separated from the nuclear damage, such damage is also subject to compensation.

Article 34

Substantiation of Liability for Nuclear Damage and Compensation for Nuclear Damage

1. In accordance with this law, the liability of a licensee for nuclear damage is established when it is proved that the damage was caused as a result of events which occurred at an atomic energy utilisation object.
2. The liability of a licensee for nuclear damage is also established when it is proved that the damage was caused as a result of events connected with nuclear and/or radioactive materials or radioactive waste received or manufactured for the atomic energy utilisation object under his management if the licensee has, before the event, assumed liability in writing for those materials or waste or where possession has not yet passed to another organisation.
3. The licensee is released from liability for nuclear damage and its compensation, if it is the result of military actions, arson, natural disaster or the intentional action of other legal and physical persons.
4. If the licensee proves that the nuclear damage was totally or partially caused by the intentional action of a victim, he is totally or partially released from liability in respect of nuclear damage compensation to that person. The licensee is released from liability for nuclear damage compensation in legal form.

Article 35

Types and Measures of Liabilities for Nuclear Damage Compensation

1. The types and amounts of liability of licensees for nuclear damage are determined by the legislation of the Republic of Armenia and other legal acts.
2. Measures for nuclear damage compensation for any accident must not be less than the measures established in the international treaties to which the Republic of Armenia is a Party.

Article 36

Financial Provision for Nuclear Damage Compensation

1. In order to ensure the compensation of nuclear liability licensees are obliged to have sufficient financial resources; the procedures of establishment and use of these financial resources are determined by the laws of the Republic of Armenia and other legal acts.
2. Where liability for nuclear damage is assumed by the licensee, and the amount necessary to compensate the nuclear damage exceed the measures foreseen in Article 35 of this law, the Government of the Republic of Armenia ensures the payment of the necessary additional amounts.

Section 12

THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR VIOLATION OF THE LEGISLATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF

ARMENIA FOR THE SAFE UTILISATION OF ATOMIC ENERGY FOR PEACEFUL PURPOSES

Article 37

The Responsibilities of Legal and Physical Persons as well as Citizens Performing Activities in the Field of Atomic Energy Utilisation for Breaches of the Legislation of the Republic of Armenia for the Safe Utilisation of Atomic Energy for Peaceful Purposes

Legal and physical persons as well as citizens performing activities in the field of atomic energy utilisation are responsible for breaches of the legislation of the Republic of Armenia for the Safe Utilisation of Atomic Energy for Peaceful Purposes of the manner prescribed pursuant to the legislation of the Republic of Armenia.