Institutional governance

National Regulatory Council & General Directorate

The two pillars of ARSN governance: an independent deliberating body and a specialised executive directorate, guarantors of Niger's regulatory credibility.

NRC — 7 members
General Directorate
Full independence
Supreme deliberating body

National Regulatory Council

The National Regulatory Council (NRC) is the supreme deliberating and decision-making body of ARSN. Established by law, it is composed of seven members appointed by presidential decree on account of their recognised technical and scientific expertise in nuclear and related fields.

The NRC deliberates on major regulatory orientations, approves key regulatory texts, and oversees the activities of the General Directorate. Its members carry out their functions with full independence, free from any instruction.

NRC Powers

Adoption of regulations and regulatory decisions
Issuing of important authorisations and licences
Supervision and control of the General Directorate
Approval of the budget and strategic plan
Representation of ARSN in international bodies
Publication of the annual activity report
NRC Composition
7 members
1 NRC President
Appointed by presidential decree
1 Vice-President
Designated from among the members
5 Full members
Experts in nuclear fields
5-year mandate renewable once
Ordinary sessions: once per quarter
Quorum: 5 members present
Decisions by absolute majority
Executive body

General Directorate

The General Directorate is the executive body of ARSN. Under the authority of the Director General, it ensures implementation of NRC decisions and the day-to-day operational management of the Authority.

Director General
Dr. [DG Name]
In post since 2020
Appointed by presidential decree on the NRC's proposal
Responsible for the operational management of ARSN
Budget authority of ARSN
Legal representative of ARSN
Deputy Director General
Mr / Ms [DDG Name]
In post since 2021
Assists the Director General in his functions
Acts as interim in the absence of the DG
Coordinates the technical directorates
Supervises the implementation of programmes

General Directorate Missions

Implementation of NRC decisions

Implement NRC deliberations and ensure their follow-up

Resource management

Manage ARSN's human, financial and material resources

Regulatory processing

Process authorisation files and prepare draft texts

Inspection supervision

Coordinate and supervise inspection and control activities

Reports and publications

Develop ARSN's annual reports and official publications

External relations

Maintain relations with national and international partners

Principes fondamentaux

The pillars of our governance

ARSN's governance rests on universal principles recognised by the IAEA for independent nuclear safety authorities.

01

Independence

ARSN and its NRC exercise their functions without political, economic or institutional interference. NRC members receive no instruction from any authority in the exercise of their regulatory functions.

AIEA GSR Part 1 — R1
02

Transparency

Regulatory decisions are public and reasoned. ARSN publishes its activity report, authorisation and inspection statistics, and decisions of general application every year.

AIEA GSR Part 1 — R3
03

Compétence

NRC members and General Directorate staff are selected on the basis of their technical and scientific qualifications. ARSN continuously invests in staff training.

AIEA GSR Part 1 — R5
04

Impartialité

Regulatory decisions are based exclusively on technical, scientific and legal criteria. No conflict of interest is tolerated in ARSN's decision-making processes.

AIEA GSR Part 1 — R2
How we decide

Decision-making process

From receipt of a request to the final decision, each step guarantees the rigour and impartiality of the regulatory process.

01

Receipt

Receipt and registration of the request by the General Directorate

02

Processing

Technical processing of the file by the competent directorate. Verification of completeness and compliance

03

Assessment

Safety or security assessment. On-site inspections if necessary. Expert consultation

04

NRC Deliberation

Presentation to the NRC for deliberation. The NRC holds decision-making power on major files

05

Decision

Notification of the decision to the operator. Publication in the Official Gazette if necessary

06

Follow-up & Control

Post-decision monitoring, periodic inspections and ongoing compliance assessment

Learn more about ARSN governance

Consult our founding texts, annual reports or contact us for any institutional question.