On 22 March, Keith Parker, Simon James and Miranda Kirschel of NIA were invited into the House of Lords to be questioned on the UK position regarding the EU Nuclear Package. The House of Lords EU Sub-Committee D was holding an inquiry into the EU Commission's proposal to introduce a directive which would standardise regulations on nuclear safety and radioactive waste management across the member states. NIA represented the voice of the UK industry on the issue, arguing against the proposal for an EU-wide package, in favour of the existing, internationally binding IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) regulations.

Keith Parker explained to the Chairman of the Committee, Lord Renton of Mount Harry, that this type of legislation would undermine the existing 'peer pressure' style of regulation enforced by the IAEA, which is effective, and in fact encourages a 'best in class' attitude. These issues need to be regarded as national policy issues in the first instance, where national regulators are allowed to perform their function individually. Beyond this bodies such as WENRA (Western European Nuclear Regulators Association), WANO (World Association of Nuclear Operators), and above all, the IAEA, under the auspices of the United Nations, are in place to ensure best practice and provide checks on operations globally.

Among the other organisation questioned were BNES, BNFL, UKAEA, Nirex, Friends of the Earth, and the UK Government in the form of Malcolm Wicks, Energy Minister, Environment Minister, Elliott Morley, Mike Weightman, head of the UK nuclear regulator NII, and Laurence Williams, on behalf of the NDA.

The House of Lords EU Sub Committee B is now undertaking an inquiry into the European Commission's Green Paper, "A Strategy for Sustainable, Competitive and Secure Energy". They have called for written evidence with a deadline of Tuesday 18 April for submissions.