![President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers the keynote address during the MTN 30 years celebration gala dinner held at Montecasino in Fourways, Gauteng Province. [Photo: GCIS]](https://theafricadailypost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/54178449730_b34d230452_h-860x693.jpg)
President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed the National Nuclear Regulator Amendment Bill into law, strengthening nuclear safety regulations in South Africa. The amendment updates the National Nuclear Regulator Act of 1999 to align it with international standards set by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The new law grants the national nuclear regulator expanded powers, including oversight of the decontamination and decommissioning of defense facilities and equipment for civilian use. It also gives the regulator authority over the exposure of airline crews to cosmic radiation on flights below 49,000 feet.
The amendment includes updates to definitions, removal of outdated terms, and additional functions for the regulator to ensure nuclear safety. As a founding member of the IAEA, South Africa is committed to maintaining high standards of nuclear safety in line with global agreements.
The law also clarifies governance within the nuclear regulator, including the appointment of board members and the establishment of committees to oversee operations. It excludes certain provisions from the Defence Act of 2002 regarding foreign naval vessels visiting South Africa.
