Since the signing of the Treaty of Madrid on 12 June 1985, Spain has been part of the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom), whose mission is to help raise the standard of living in the member states of the European Community by establishing the necessary conditions for the creation and safe development of nuclear-based industries.

Of all the tasks Euratom performs, three stand out in terms of their particular influence on the CSN’s work. The first is to establish uniform safety standards for the radiological protection of the population and workers and to enforce the application of such standards. The second is to apply the proper controls to guarantee that nuclear materials are used only for their intended purpose. The third is to establish relations with other countries and international organisations to promote advancement in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

European Community institutions issue rules and regulations that have a strong impact on domestic regulations, based on the provisions of the Euratom Treaty.