Our mission
The Federal Agency for Nuclear Control (FANC) is the nuclear regulator in Belgium. Its mission is to protect the population, workers and the environment against the hazards of ionising radiation.
As the nuclear and radiological sectors present high risks for society as a whole, they are strictly regulated. The content of our mission is largely determined by European regulations, the requirements or standards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), treaties (Euratom) and international conventions, as well as by technical agreements between European regulators, which have been transposed into Belgian regulations.
The FANC fulfils its mission in the fields of nuclear safety, nuclear security, safeguards and radiation protection for all nuclear and radiological activities deployed in Belgium, regardless of whether the risks are related to natural radioactivity or artificial radioactivity.
Our fields of activity
The FANC is particularly active in the following areas:
- basic radiation protection standards
- regulations on licensed facilities
- control of nuclear facilities (including NPPs)
- safety and security of the transport of radioactive materials
- radiological surveillance of the territory and emergency planning
- medical applications of ionising radiation
- naturally occurring radioactivity
- non-proliferation and nuclear security
- industrial applications of ionising radiation
- long-term management of radioactive waste
- communication to and information to the general public
In order to fulfil our assignments, the FANC has drawn up a strategic document for the period 2023-2032. Our strategy is built around 5 topics: evolution of our activities, new technologies, stakeholders, expertise and funding.
Our vision and ambition
As the independent Belgian nuclear regulator, our vision is to be a respected authority both domestically and internationally in the field of protection against ionising radiation by striving for continuous improvement and excellence and by paying particular attention to strengthening cultural aspects in all our areas of competence.
Our ambition is to materialise this vision through:
- a proactive approach so that our work evolves in line with the needs and expectations of our society and stakeholders, and in accordance with international standards;
- investments in our expertise so that it can improve towards excellence and be shared domestically and internationally;
- effective and appropriate monitoring of the sector;
- optimal collaboration with our subsidiary Bel V;
- lasting partnerships with our stakeholders;
- transparency and independence, which must be reflected in our regulations, inspections, licences, communications and appropriate funding.
Our values
The FANC is committed to embodying 3 core values in the fulfilment of its mission: responsibility, respect and integrity.
Responsibility
- through an independent and transparent approach to our activities and through continuous improvement;
- through clear definition of our expectations, appropriate initiatives,
- through necessary, coherent and proportionate decisions in our area of responsibility.
Respect
- through cooperation with our colleagues and stakeholders in a spirit of mutual respect;
- through open, honest and constructive dialogue that shows consideration for all internal and external stakeholders;
- through positive climate building action that fosters cross-organisation collaboration in which everyone involved can express themselves and take initiatives.
Integrity
- through the disinterested performance of the FANC’s mission;
- through day-to-day exemplary conduct;
- through reliability and conscientiousness when providing services.