The advisory committees

When preparing its decisions, the ASN asks for opinions and recommendations from Advisory Committees (GPE). Until 2009, it also relied on the Standing Nuclear Section of the French Central Committee for Pressure Vessels (CCAP). Seven Advisory Committees (GPE) have been created and report to the ASN Director-General.

The GPEs are consulted by ASN concerning the safety and radiation protection of installations and activities within their particular field of competence. They in particular review the preliminary, provisional and final safety analysis reports for each of the BNIs. They can also be consulted about changes in regulations or doctrine.

For each of the subjects covered, the GPEs examine the reports produced by IRSN, by a special working group or by one of the ASN departments. They issue an opinion backed up by recommendations.

The GPEs comprise experts nominated for their individual competence. They come from university and associative backgrounds, as well as from the licensees concerned by the subjects being dealt with. Each GPE may call on any person recognised for his or her particular competence. It may hold a hearing of licensee representatives. Participation by foreign experts can help diversify the approach to problems and take advantage of experience acquired internationally.

With the goal of improving nuclear safety and radiation protection transparency, ASN publishes the documents relating to the meetings of these GPEs: ASN referral of a particular subject to the GPE, summary of the IRSN report, GPE opinion and ASN stance.

The Advisory Committee for reactors (GPR)

The Advisory Committee for reactors is chaired by M. Pierre Govaerts. It consists of experts nominated for their competence in the field of nuclear reactors. In 2009, the GPR met eight times, visited one installation and took part in an international meeting with its German, American and Japanese counterparts.

The Advisory Committee for laboratories and plants (GPU)

The Advisory Committee for laboratories and plants is chaired by Mr Philippe Saint Raymond. It comprises experts nominated for their competence in the field of laboratories and plants in which radioactive materials are used. In 2009, the GPU met three times and visited one installation.

The Advisory Committee for medical exposure (GPMED)

Chaired by Mr Yves Coquin, the GPMED comprises experts nominated for their competence in the field of radiation protection of health professionals, the public and patients and for medical applications of ionising radiations, including legal medicine. In 2009, the GPMED met three times.

The Advisory Committee for radiation protection(non-medical) (GPRAD)

Chaired by Mr Jean-Paul Samain, the GPRAD comprises experts nominated for their competence in the field of radiation protection of workers (other than health professionals) and radiation protection of the public, for industrial and research applications of ionising radiations, as well as for natural ionising radiations. In 2009, the GPRAD met three times.

The Advisory Committee for waste (GPD)

The Advisory Committee for waste is chaired by Mr Pierre Bérest. It comprises experts nominated for their competence in the nuclear, geological and mining fields. In 2009, the GPD met twice, visited one installation and organised a bipartite meeting with its German counterpart.

The Advisory Committee for transport (GPT)

The Advisory Committee for Transport is chaired by Mr Jacques Aguilar. It comprises experts nominated for their competence in the field of transport, in particular representatives from the French committee for certification of companies in training and monitoring of personnel working with ionising radiations. In 2009, the GPT held one meeting.

The Advisory Committee for nuclear pressure equipment (GPESPN)

Since mid-2009, the GPESPN has replaced the Standing Nuclear Section (SPN) of the CCAP. The GPESPN is chaired by Mr Philippe Merle and comprises experts nominated for their competence in the field of pressure equipment.
In 2009, the GPESPN held its first meeting following its creation. The SPN had also already met once.

The CCAP

The Central Committee for Pressure Equipment (CCAP), created by Article 26 of decree 99-1046 of 13 December 1999 concerning pressure equipment, is a consultative organisation reporting to the minister responsible for industry. It comprises members of the various administrations concerned, persons chosen for their particular competence and representatives of the manufacturers and users of pressure equipment and of the technical and professional organisations concerned. It is chaired by Mr Pierre Palat. It can be called on by the Government and by ASN for all issues concerning the legislative and regulatory aspects of pressure equipment. Accident reports are also forwarded to it.