ASN considers that the level of nuclear safety and radiation protection of BNI 42-U is broadly satisfactory. The nuclear material conditioning and removal operations carried out before starting certain decommissioning operations are traced rigorously. These operations continued in 2024 in accordance with the schedule set by the licensee. Progress is also observed in the removal of waste and materials with no disposal route. ASNR nevertheless remains attentive to the performance of the DECPROs that were not completed before the decommissioning decree came into effect. This concerns in particular the progress of the characterisation and conditioning of the last nuclear materials and the removal of disused sources. The Enriched Uranium Processing Facilities – CEA CENTRE From 1963 to 1995, the Enriched Uranium Processing Facilities (ATUe – BNI 52) converted uranium hexafluoride (UF6) from the Cadarache enrichment plants into sinterable oxide, and ensured the chemical reprocessing of waste from the manufacture of fuel elements. Decommissioning of this facility was authorised by Decrees in February 2006 and 2021, accompanied by ASN requirements describing the conditions of performance of the future decommissioning operations dated 14 October 2021. The activities in the facility in 2024 were essentially routine maintenance and periodic and regulatory inspection operations. CEA is currently drafting specifications to contractualise restarting of the decommissioning operations, which is planned for 2028. ASN considers that the level of safety of BNI 52 (ATUe) in 2024 is broadly satisfactory. The actions further to the periodic safety review of 2017 have been completed except for the roof leak proofing work, scheduled for completion by the end of 2025. CEA submitted the guidance file for the next periodic safety review in 2024. This file is currently being examined by ASNR. Central Fissile Material Warehouse – CEA CENTRE Created in 1968, the Central Fissile Material Warehouse (MCMF – BNI 53) was a warehouse for storing enriched uranium and plutonium until its final shutdown and removal of all its nuclear materials on 31 December 2017. Its decommissioning degree was issued on 22 March 2024. It sets 31 December 2034 as the end-of-decommissioning deadline. ASN considers that the DECPROs continued satisfactorily in 2024. The first phase of commissioning of the simplified ventilation to adapt it to the emptiness of the facility has been completed. The licensee submitted its periodic safety review report to ASN at the end of December 2024 High-Activity Laboratory LECA-STAR – CEA CENTRE BNI 55 combines the Active Fuel Examination Laboratory (LECA) and its extension, the Treatment, Clean-out and Reconditioning Station (STAR). These two units constitute the CEA’s expert assessment tools for analysing irradiated fuels. Commissioned in 1964, the LECA laboratory enables the CEA to carry out destructive and non-destructive examinations of spent fuel from the nuclear power, research and naval propulsion sectors. As the facility is old, it was partially reinforced in the early 2010’s to improve its earthquake resistance. The periodic safety review concluding report for LECA was submitted in July 2024. In the light of the ongoing examination of this report, ASNR will ask CEA for further information concerning the conformity review it conducted, the reassessment of the control of risks and drawbacks and the associated action plan. The removal from storage of fissile materials that are not associated with any research programme is continuing in accordance with the schedule set by ASN further to the last periodic safety review. In 2024, CEA notified one significant event relating to a nonconformity with respect to the welding data packages and the associated design calculation notes, in certain antiseismic reinforcements in LECA’s civil engineering structure incorporated during the 2004-2007 renovation. CEA has implemented an action plan to restore the conformity of the impacted structures and update the associated baseline requirements. CEA must also reassess the adequacy of the internal checks and the provisions for monitoring the activities of outside contractors. In addition, two significant events occurred in 2024 in LECA, involving two cases of detachment, at the exit of the storage well of LECA’s cell 1, of overpacks used for the transfer of ILW-LL radioactive waste. These events had no consequences on nuclear safety or radiation protection. ASNR is waiting for CEA to analyse the lessons learned from these events for the benefit of the other BNIs and propose measures to prevent their recurrence. Commissioned in 1999, the STAR facility is an extension of the LECA laboratory, designed for the stabilisation and reconditioning of spent fuel. On completion of the examination of the STAR safety review report submitted in 2018, ASN considered that the analysis of conformity with the regulatory and technical requirements and the reassessment of control of the risks and drawbacks justify continued operation of the facility for the next ten years. CEA must more specifically examine the safety measures to take in the event of an earthquake to avoid an accident induced by electrical problems. A significant event in June 2024 involving the loss of two of STAR’s inverters which led to the ventilation, the radiation protection-related monitoring and the monitoring of the stack discharges being unavailable, is the subject of complementary investigations by CEA. ASNR will the attentive to the follow-ups to this event and to its potentially generic nature. ABSTRACTS – ASN Report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2024 93 Regional overview of nuclear safety and radiation protection PROVENCE‑ALPES‑CÔTE D’AZUR
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