CSN-Asturias Agreement 2026: what changes in radiological emergencies and who must act

Key data

Since August 4, 2026, Asturias has a new legal framework for managing radiological accidents. The Nuclear Safety Council (CSN) and the Emergency Service of the Principality of Asturias (SEPA) have signed an agreement that replaces the 2019 accord, which had been expired since 2023, leaving a three-year gap in institutional coordination for this type of emergency.

The Resolution of July 28, 2026, published in the BOE on August 4, is not a mere administrative formality: it establishes concrete obligations, creates permanent communication channels and activates a program of exercises and drills that will directly affect emergency services and companies with radioactive facilities in the region.

What does this regulation establish?

The agreement distributes clear responsibilities between the two signatory parties and creates operational coordination mechanisms that did not previously exist formally. Below is the breakdown of obligations by party:

The agreement also closes the temporal gap opened by the expiration of the previous accord. The 2019 agreement expired in 2023, meaning that for approximately two years the coordination between both organizations lacked updated regulatory support. The new agreement enters into force on the same day as its publication, with no transitional period.

Economic and operational impact

This agreement does not generate fees or direct costs for private companies, but it does have relevant operational consequences for the parties involved:

• Activation of the RADIOPA plan: SEPA is obligated to activate it in case of any radiological accident, which implies standardized response protocols and defined response times.
• Permanent 112-CSN channel: a continuous communication line is established between 112 Asturias and the CSN Emergency Room, which requires operational availability at both ends.
• Training and equipment: the CSN assumes the commitment to provide specialized training and equipment to SEPA, which can translate into updates of internal procedures for emergency teams.
• Joint drills and exercises: companies with radioactive facilities in Asturias may be called upon to participate in these exercises, with the consequent cost of time and human resources.
• Public information campaigns: both parties will promote campaigns on radiological risks, which may generate greater public scrutiny of sector facilities.

Who does it affect?

• Emergency services of the Principality of Asturias (SEPA): first line of impact; they must adapt protocols to the new agreement and activate the RADIOPA plan when appropriate.
• Civil Protection of Asturias: direct coordination with SEPA in response to radiological emergencies.
• Companies with radioactive facilities in Asturias: hospitals with radiotherapy or diagnostic imaging equipment, industrial facilities with radioactive sources, research centers and any entity operating under radiological license in the region.
• 112 Asturias operators: must know and apply the permanent communication channel with the CSN Emergency Room.
• Population of the Principality of Asturias: recipient of public information campaigns on radiological risks.

Practical example

Imagine an Asturian hospital operating radiotherapy equipment that detects an anomaly with a radioactive source in its facilities. With the new agreement in force, the chain of action would be as follows:

1. The hospital notifies the incident to 112 Asturias.
2. The 112 operator, through the permanent channel established in the agreement, immediately contacts the CSN Emergency Room.
3. SEPA activates the RADIOPA plan, deploying the planned response resources.
4. The CSN provides real-time technical advice to guide incident management.

Without the renewed agreement, this flow lacked formal support since 2023. Now, each step has a defined legal and operational framework. For the hospital, this means that its internal notification protocols must be aligned with the RADIOPA plan and with the communication times required by the new agreement.

What should organizations do now?

1. Review internal radiological emergency protocols: any company or organization with radioactive facilities in Asturias must verify that its internal procedures are compatible with the RADIOPA plan and the new communication channels established.
2. Identify the coordination officer with SEPA: designate or confirm the internal contact person who will act as the point of contact in case of a radiological emergency and who knows the 112-CSN channel.
3. Anticipate participation in drills: the agreement provides for joint exercises and drills; affected organizations must plan the availability of personnel and resources for these activities.
4. Update safety team training: the CSN will provide specialized training to SEPA, but companies must ensure that their own radiological safety personnel know the new coordination framework.
5. Follow public information campaigns: the planned campaigns may generate questions from employees, customers or nearby communities; it is advisable to prepare responses aligned with official communication.

Official source

Consult complete regulation in official source

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-17000