A regulatory body requires technical and scientific expertise to perform in an effective and
efficient manner. Technical Support Organization (TSO) is an organization or organizational unit
designated, or otherwise recognized by a regulatory body to provide in depth technical expertise
in fulfilling the regulatory responsibilities. In 2005, PNRA established an internal TSO with
the responsibilities to perform review and assessment of licensing submissions related to
nuclear installations to support the regulatory decision making process. These submissions
include Safety Analysis Report (SAR), Periodic Safety Report (PSR), modifications in design and
technical specifications and routine reports received from the licensee during different stages
of the licensing process.
The TSO also provides technical support to PNRA Directorates in regulatory inspections of
nuclear installations, radiation facilities and manufacturers of nuclear safety class equipment
and during the emergency preparedness and response activities. It has developed capabilities to
independently perform deterministic and probabilistic safety analysis with the purpose of
performing audit calculations of licensee’s analysis and conduct safety research & development
by the use of analytical computer codes. In order to cope with the emerging challenges in
nuclear and radiation safety, the TSO continuously improves its knowledge base through capacity
building and pursuing safety research and development.