2026 年 61 巻 1 号 p. 9-15
The International Working Forum on the Regulatory Supervision of Legacy Sites (RSLS) was established in 2010 following the Resolution of the IAEA General Conference in 2009. Its main objective is to strengthen regulatory frameworks and international cooperation regarding legacy sites, which include uranium mining sites, nuclear test sites, facilities contaminated by naturally occurring radioactive materials, and accident-affected regions such as Chernobyl and Fukushima. Such sites often pose complex risks due to ionizing radiation, heavy metals, chemical hazards, or insufficient long-term funding and management. The RSLS promotes information sharing, regulatory capacity building and technical cooperation among Member States. Since its establishment, the RSLS has organized technical meetings at the IAEA headquarters, three Working Groups, and international workshops with site visits in Member States, addressing regulatory frameworks, remediation planning, stakeholder engagement, and so forth. The RSLS has progressed through multiple phases, with Phase 4 launched in 2025, focusing on long-term management, prioritization of remediation sites, regulatory frameworks, and material recycling. With nuclear power expanding worldwide, the prevention of new legacy sites remains a priority. The RSLS continues to function as a practical platform supporting safe, effective remediation and regulatory oversight.
