Global General

INES Scale

(IAEA)
Updated: 2011-03-16 13:54

What is INES?

INES is a tool for promptly communicating to the public in consistent terms the safety significance of reported nuclear and radiological incidents and accidents, excluding naturally occurring phenomena, such as radon. The scale can be applied to any event associated with nuclear facilities, as well as the transport, storage and use of radioactive material and radiation sources.

What is the purpose of the INES Scale?

The primary purpose of the INES Scale is to facilitate communication and understanding between the technical community, the media and the public on the safety significance of events. The aim is to keep the public, as well as nuclear authorities, accurately informed on the occurrence and potential consequences of reported events.

How does INES operate?

The scale was designed by an international group of experts first convened jointly in 1989 by the IAEA and the Nuclear Energy Agency of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD/NEA). Since then, the IAEA has overseen its development in cooperation with the OECD/NEA and with the support of more than 70 designated INES National Officers who officially represent the INES Member States in biennial technical meetings.