Key data
| Regulation | Resolution of July 30, 2026, of the Nuclear Safety Council, publishing the Agreement with the Government of Navarra on planning, preparation and response to radiological emergency situations |
|---|---|
| Publication in BOE | August 10, 2026 |
| Entry into force | July 30, 2026 |
| Affected parties | Navarra Administration, Nuclear Safety Council and Navarra emergency services |
| Category | Energy / Civil Protection |
| Replaces | CSN-Navarra Agreement of 2021 (expired) |
| Legal framework | Basic Directive for Civil Protection Planning for Radiological Risk and Law of the National Civil Protection System |
Navarra's emergency services and the Nuclear Safety Council (CSN) have been operating since July 30, 2026, under a new coordination framework for incidents involving radioactive materials. The previous agreement, signed in 2021, had expired and left an operational gap in the joint response to this type of emergency in Navarra territory.
The Resolution of July 30, 2026 of the CSN, published in the BOE on August 10, 2026, formalizes the new agreement and restores operational continuity of civil protection mechanisms against radiological risks in Navarra.
What does this regulation establish?
The agreement articulates six specific areas of collaboration between the CSN and the Government of Navarra:
| Area of collaboration | Description |
|---|---|
| Emergency planning | Cooperation in the design and updating of radiological emergency plans in Navarra |
| Plan implementation | Joint support to implement approved plans in the regional territory |
| Joint drills and exercises | Periodic training exercises with participation from both administrations |
| Technical staff training | Specialized training of Navarra's emergency teams in radiological matters |
| Shared equipment acquisition | Joint purchase of specialized equipment for detection and management of radiological incidents |
| Information exchange | Fluid communication about facilities and activities with radiological risk in Navarra |
A relevant element of the agreement is the authorization of Navarra inspection personnel accredited by the CSN to actively collaborate in real emergency situations, not just in drills. This expands operational response capacity in the territory without depending exclusively on the CSN's own resources.
The agreement is framed within the Basic Directive for Civil Protection Planning for Radiological Risk and the Law of the National Civil Protection System, which require autonomous communities to maintain active coordination mechanisms with the nuclear regulatory body.
Economic and operational impact
This agreement does not generate direct economic obligations for private companies nor does it modify fees, sanctions, or licensing requirements. Its impact is fundamentally operational and continuity-based for the administrations involved and, indirectly, for facilities with radiological risk located in Navarra.
The most relevant operational effects are:
- Continuity without legal gap: the 2021 agreement had expired, leaving the coordination between the CSN and Navarra without formal coverage. The new agreement restores that framework as of July 30, 2026.
- Shared equipment acquisition: joint purchase of specialized material can reduce costs for the Navarra administration by sharing investment with the CSN.
- Greater response capacity: the accreditation of Navarra inspectors by the CSN expands the number of professionals authorized to act in real emergencies, without additional cost for deploying national equipment.
- Periodic drills and training: facilities with radiological risk in Navarra may be called upon or involved in the joint exercises provided for in the agreement.
Who does it affect?
- Government of Navarra and its departments with responsibilities in civil protection and emergencies
- Nuclear Safety Council (CSN), as the regulatory body and signatory party
- Navarra emergency services (firefighters, intervention teams, regional civil protection)
- Navarra inspection personnel who obtain or renew CSN accreditation for emergency intervention
- Facilities and activities with radiological risk located in Navarra territory (hospitals with radiotherapy equipment, industrial facilities with radioactive sources, research centers, etc.) that must coordinate with the new information and intervention framework
- Companies managing radioactive waste or transporting radioactive materials that operate in Navarra
Practical example
A Navarra hospital that has radiotherapy equipment with high-activity radioactive sources is classified as a facility with radiological risk. Under the new agreement, information exchange between the CSN and the Government of Navarra about this type of facility is systematic and updated.
If an incident were to occur at that hospital—for example, a radioactive source outside its shielding—inspectors from Navarra accredited by the CSN could intervene immediately alongside emergency services, without needing to wait for CSN equipment to arrive from Madrid. Additionally, the periodic drills provided for in the agreement will have previously trained those teams in this type of scenario, reducing response time and risk to the population.
For the hospital, this translates into a greater likelihood of coordinated and effective response in case of incident, and the possibility of being called upon to participate in drill exercises organized jointly by the CSN and the Navarra administration.
What should organizations do now?
- Verify if your facility is classified with radiological risk in Navarra: if you operate with radioactive sources, radiotherapy equipment, industrial gammagraphy or similar, check that your data is up to date with the CSN and the Government of Navarra, as the agreement activates information exchange about these facilities.
- Review internal emergency plans: ensure that your radiological emergency protocols are aligned with the plans that the CSN and Navarra will update jointly under this agreement.
- Identify accredited inspection personnel: if your organization has inspectors with CSN accreditation, verify that such accreditation is current and that they are aware of the new collaboration framework for emergencies.
- Be available for drills: the agreement provides for periodic joint exercises. Facilities with radiological risk in Navarra may be called upon to participate; anticipate your team's availability.
- Consult the full text of the agreement: access the resolution published in the BOE to learn about the specific information and data exchange obligations that may apply to your activity.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the 2021 agreement and the new 2026 agreement?
The 2021 agreement had expired and left the coordination between the CSN and Navarra without formal coverage. The new 2026 agreement renews and updates it, maintaining the same areas of collaboration (planning, drills, training, equipment, and information exchange) but adapting them to the current regulatory framework, particularly the Basic Directive for Civil Protection Planning for Radiological Risk and the Law of the National Civil Protection System.
What facilities in Navarra are affected by this agreement?
The agreement affects all facilities and activities with radiological risk located in Navarra territory. This includes hospitals with radiotherapy or nuclear medicine equipment, industrial facilities using radioactive sources, research centers with radioactive material, and companies involved in transport or management of radioactive waste. The agreement regulates information exchange about these facilities between the CSN and the Government of Navarra.
When does the new CSN-Navarra agreement enter into force?
The agreement entered into force on July 30, 2026, the date of its signature, although it was published in the BOE on August 10, 2026. From that date, the coordination framework between the CSN and Navarra for radiological emergencies is fully operational.
Can Navarra inspectors act in real radiological emergencies?
Yes. The agreement expressly authorizes Navarra inspection personnel accredited by the CSN to actively collaborate in real radiological emergency situations, not just in drills. This accreditation is granted by the CSN and allows expanding operational response capacity in Navarra territory without depending exclusively on the national regulatory body's teams.
What type of equipment will be acquired jointly under this agreement?
The agreement provides for shared acquisition of specialized equipment for detection and management of radiological incidents, although it does not specify specific models or amounts. This joint purchase aims to optimize resources between the CSN and the Navarra administration. To learn about specific equipment, you will need to follow the developments of the agreement.
Official source
Consult complete regulation in official source
Notice: 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-2026-17505