News: The European Union (EU) and India have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation on the peaceful use of nuclear energy under the India–Euratom agreement.
About Euratom
- The Euratom is an international organisation created by Treaty of Rome signed on 25 March 1957.
- Entered into force: 1st January 1958
- Objective: The Treaty was created to promote research, achieve security of nuclear materials supply and to establish a system for supervising the peaceful use of nuclear materials for all member countries.
- Scope: The treaty is strictly limited to civilian (not military) uses of nuclear energy.
- Membership: Six founding members: Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands and further it included all members of the European Union (EU).
- UK left Euratom following Brexit.
- Purpose: Its current role is to establish and maintain standards for regulating civilian nuclear activities in the United Kingdom.
- These include oversight of nuclear fuel supply, radioactive waste management, and cooperation between nuclear states.
- It also operates a system of nuclear safeguards, monitors and controls the distribution of fissile materials among member states.
- It also ensures high levels of safety, and supports international research in nuclear fission and fusion.
- Governed by: Commission and Council, operating under the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice.
- Main Instruments: Its main instruments are the Euratom Supply Agency, and its research and
nuclear safeguard activities. - Euratom regulates the European civil nuclear industry, which produces almost 30 % of energy in the EU.
