SÚJB turns 20!

On the occasion of our recent 20th anniversary, we have prepared for you the following article outlining the main features of the State Office for Nuclear Safety (SÚJB) and recalling also the most important milestones from its “history”. 

  • The Czech State Office for Nuclear Safety (SÚJB) was established in connection with the dissolution of Czechoslovakia on 1 January 1993 as a direct successor of the Czechoslovak Commission for Atomic Energy (ČSKAE), together with the Slovak Nuclear Regulatory Authority (ÚJD).
  • In 1995, its responsibilities were extended from the state supervision of nuclear safety and nuclear materials also to the area of protection against ionizing radiation.
  • In 1996, the Emergency Response Centre was established at the SÚJB.
  • In 1997, the Act No. 18/1997 Coll., on Peaceful Utilisation of Nuclear Energy and Ionising Radiation - „Atomic Act“, containing main responsibilities of the SÚJB, was adopted.
  • Since 2000 (Act No. 19/1997 Coll., as amended by the Act. No. 249/2000 Coll.) and 2002 (Act No. 281/2002 Coll.), the SÚJB has been responsible also for the control of chemical and biological weapons prohibition, thus covering non-proliferation of all weapons of mass destruction.
  • In 2005, its competence was extended to the field of technical safety of special systems, structures and components for nuclear installations. 

The SÚJB is a fully independent authority of the state administration reporting directly to the Prime Minister. It has its own budget approved by the Parliament as part of the state budget. The SÚJB is headed by the President appointed by the Czech Government. Current President of the SÚJB, Ms. Dana Drábová, has been in office since 1 November 1999

The SÚJB employs approximately 200 people. Nuclear safety and radiation protection inspectors (about 70% of the staff) are appointed by the President of the SÚJB, and are located not only at the SÚJB Headquarters in Prague/Praha but also at the sites of Dukovany and Temelín NPPs (“resident inspectors” of nuclear safety) as well as in eight Regional Centres (part of radiation protection team) in Brno, České Budějovice, Hradec Králové, Kamenná, Plzeň, Praha, Ústí nad Labem and Ostrava, for illustration see our ”mini gallery”. 

The expert function of the SÚJB is supported by several Technical Support Organizations – the Research Centre at Řež, National Radiation Protection Institute (SÚRO) and National Institute for Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Protection (SÚJCHBO). 

To learn more about the SÚJB, please visit also our section “About SÚJB”.