The ARSN was created by the Law 2010-09 on Nuclear Energy which was enacted in January 2010.

The ARSN is the national regulatory body competent for radiation protection, nuclear safety and security as well as for the implementation of safeguards with the IAEA.

The organisation and functioning of the ARSN are set out in Decree N 2010-082 dated 31 March 2010, which directly links it to the Prime Ministry. The President of the Authority was appointed by order of the Prime Minister on 7 September 2010.

The National Authority for Radiation Protection, Safety and Nuclear Security is responsible, among other things, for the following missions:

The role of the ARSN is crucial in ensuring radiological safety and nuclear security. It is accepted by the international community that such an infrastructure is a pre-requisite for the development of any nuclear technology, the Board of Governors of the IAEA has made it a condition for any project involving the supply of radioactive sources. This is of particular importance for Mauritania, which is currently engaged in nuclear applications in the industrial, agricultural and medical fields with the construction of the national oncology center including a radiotherapy unit and another nuclear medicine unite.

The ARSN also adopts, in cooperation with the institutions concerned, all the necessary measures, including the creation of a system of authorizations, to control the export and import, re-export, transit and transhipment of nuclear material, equipment and technology which the Authority has determined should be controlled to ensure security and protect the strategic interests of the State.

• Design, propose and monitor the application of regulations on radiological safety and nuclear security;
• Set dose limits;
• Develop guides and codes of good practice on the safety and security of ionizing radiation sources;
• Review and assess authorization requests;
• Issue, modify, suspend or cancel authorizations for facilities and activities using ionizing radiation sources as needed and attach specific terms and conditions to them, if necessary;
• Define exemptions from regulatory control;
• Inspect and assess the facilities and activities covered by the authorization in order to verify compliance with the provisions of the law, regulations and the terms and conditions of the authorization;
• Take all necessary measures in the event of non-compliance or violation of the provisions of the law or regulation.

The National Authority for Radiation Protection, Safety and Nuclear Security (ARSN) ensures, on behalf of the Mauritanian State, the control of radiation protection, safety and nuclear security with the aim of protecting workers, patients, the public and the environment, of the harmful effects and risks of exposure linked to the use of ionizing radiation.

This new website, launched by the ARSN, aims to provide its visitors with relevant information that meets the needs of national and international partners, the general public and the media. It fits perfectly into the communication strategy put in place by the ARSN.

Regulatory texts (laws, decrees, orders) relating to the peaceful use of nuclear energy in Mauritania, good practice guides and forms are published to allow operators and users to access ARSN services online.

In Mauritania, activities using ionizing radiation exist in many sectors. We note in particular the medical field, the industrial field or the agricultural field.

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