EU to revise n-safety directive

The Permanent Representatives Committee of the Council of the European Union (EU) has agreed to revise the nuclear safety directive.

The EU member states Wednesday reached an agreement on the European Commission's proposal to amend the 2009 Nuclear Safety Directive.

The new directive builds on the lessons learned from Fukushima and the nuclear stress tests. And, it is based on the latest international standards, Xinhua quoted the EU saying in a statement.

For the first time it sets out a clear nuclear safety objective to further reduce safety risks. It will introduce a system of European peer reviews to be carried out at least every six years.

The revised directive also enhances transparency, in particular through better public information on the safety of nuclear installations.

"The new Nuclear Safety Directive, once formally adopted, will help ensure continuous improvement of the safety of our nuclear installations," said European Energy Commissioner Gunther Oettinger.