WENRA statement on the Fukushima accident

Following a meeting of WENRA, the Western European Nuclear Regulators' Association, on 22 and 23 March 2011, the heads of nuclear regulatory authorities decided to set up a task force to provide an independent technical definition of a “stress test” and how it could be applied to European nuclear facilities. The purpose of this work is to see what improvements to nuclear safety can be made in light of the Fukushima accident. The findings will be passed on to ENSREG, the European Nuclear Safety Regulators' Group (ENSREG), which could draw on them to help it meet requests from the Council of the European Union and European Commission.

Quarterly assessment of radiotherapy events, classified as level 1 on the ASN-SFRO scale, reported between 1 July and 31 December 2010

Seventy-nine significant radiation protection events, including four in brachytherapy, classified as level 1 on the ASN-SFRO scale, were reported between 1 July and 31 December 2010.

Meeting between the French Nuclear Safety Authority and the Belgian Nuclear Control Agency

The French-Belgian Nuclear Safety Steering Committee held its annual meeting on 27 January 2011 in Brussels.

Level 2 incident on INES scale concerning back-up diesel generators at Tricastin nuclear power plant

ASN rated at level 2 on INES scale an incident reported by EDF on February 16, 2011 concerning back-up diesel generators at Tricastin NPP.
The back-up diesel generators are used to supply safety systems of reactors in the event of loss of power by the national network. Each nuclear reactor is equipped with two back-up diesel generators. An additional back-up generator is available for all reactors on the same site. Each of these groups is sufficient to supply the systems necessary to ensure the safety of the reactor shutdown.

Information notice No 10: ASN continues inspections at the EPR Flamanville reactor construction site

During the second half of 2010, ASN continued its inspection activities at the Flamanville 3 EPR construction site.

Jean-Jacques Dumont and Philippe Jamet were appointed ASN commissioners by Presidential decree on 15 December 2010.

Jean-Jacques Dumont was designated by the President of the Republic. He took over from Marc Sanson, whose term of office ended on 12 November 2010.

HERCA / Statement on the justification of full body-scanners using X-rays for security purposes

On 1 December 2010, at the 6th meeting held in Paris of the association HERCA, which brings together the Heads of European Radiological protection Competent Authorities, HERCA has approved a Statement on the justification of full body-scanners using X-rays for security purposes.

Nuclear safety serves the general interest: ASN rigorously and responsibly fulfils its monitoring duties

On the occasion of the New Year, the French Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN), through its president, Mr André-Claude Lacoste, presented his best wishes to the press on 11 January.

European Commission adopts draft directive on management of radioactive waste and spent fuel

On 3 November 2010, the European Commission officially adopted a draft directive[1] on management of radioactive waste and spent fuel. It has now been submitted to the Council of Ministers of the European Union (EU) and the European Parliament, which will examine the terms of the proposal.

ASN considers reactor 1 at the Tricastin Nuclear Power Plant fit for ten more years of operation after thirty years in service

On 4 November 2010, ASN approved continuing operation of reactor 1 at the Tricastin Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) for an additional ten years after thirty years in service.
At the same time, ASN is requiring EDF to implement technical instructions setting new operating conditions for reactor 1 of the Tricastin NPP to gradually raise the safety level.
As part of its ongoing responsibilities, ASN will continue monitoring of the operation of reactor 1 of the Tricastin NPP.

The Western European Nuclear Regulators’ Association (WENRA) states it position on the safety goals for new nuclear reactors

At their meeting of 9th and 10th November 2010, the members of WENRA[1] made a statement concerning safety goals for new nuclear reactors.

France signs a tripartite agreement with CERN and Switzerland concerning protection against ionising radiation and the safety of CERN facilities

On Monday 15th November 2010, ASN Chairman André-Claude Lacoste, on behalf of the French government , signed an agreement with the Swiss Federal Council and the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) concerning protection against ionising radiation and the safety of CERN’s facilities.

The French Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) considers that the serviceability of 900 MWe reactor pressure vessels is demonstrated for up to 40 years

In order to take into account pressure vessel aging and possible changes in available knowledge and information, the demonstration of the serviceability of NPP pressure vessels is regularly updated by EDF and examined by the French Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN). In anticipation of the decisions to be taken regarding the continued operation of each 900 MWe reactor after the third ten-year inspection (VD3), EDF has submitted a justification documents for technical evaluation by the ASN with the technical support of the French Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN).

HERCA/European Radiation Passbook

HERCA[1], the association of the Heads of European Radiological protection Competent Authorities, approves the content for a harmonized European Radiation Passbook which will be sent to the European Commission for its inclusion in the European BSS.

ASN undertakes review of safety options for the new ATMEA 1 reactor developed by the joint venture formed by AREVA and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI)

Several countries are planning to build new nuclear power plants. In this context, ATMEA, the joint venture formed by French industrial group, AREVA, and the Japanese industrial group, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), called upon ASN to carry out a review of the safety options[1] for a new Pressurized Water Reactor known as ATMEA1. According to ATMEA, this medium-output reactor (1100 MWe) is mainly for the export market.