Rostechnadzor and the Nuclear Safety Authority of France (ASN) agreed for further strengthening of cooperation in the field of nuclear and radiation safety

16.09.2013 Rostechnadzor and the Nuclear Safety Authority of France (ASN) agreed for further strengthening of cooperation in the field of nuclear and radiation safety 16.09.2013 On September 16, 2013 Mr. Alexey Ferapontov, Acting Chairman of the Federal Environmental, Industrial and Nuclear Supervision Service of Russia (Rostechnadzor) met Mr. Pierre-Franck Chevet, President of the Nuclear Safety Authority of France (ASN). The meeting was held in frames of the 57 session of the General Assembly of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Mr. Ferapontov highly appreciated the mutual cooperation of the both agencies in the recent years. “In July, in frames of the workshop held in Paris to discuss implementation of the regulatory, technical and organizational measures developed based on the stress tests results to upgrade safety of nuclear plants in Russia and France, an updated list of the interesting topics for further cooperation was agreed upon, and included both the issues of purely lateral nature (regulatory inspections to nuclear research installations), and the issues requiring clarification and comprehensive study with the possible involvement of representatives from the operating organizations, for example, discussion of the requirements to design margins of nuclear plants seismic stability”, he said.

“Moreover, I know there was interest in discussion of stress tests performance for nuclear fuel cycle facilities in Russia and in France”, said Mr. Ferapontov.

According to him, to continue practical share of inspections to nuclear facilities of Russia and France on November 11-14 this year, Rostechnadzor with the participation of ASN specialists is going to conduct an inspection to the enterprise for radioactive waste management “Radon”. Now, the practical preparation of the visit is in process.

“We believe, that information exchange of such a kind, in the format of joint inspections will allow for better understanding by both Parties of the process of nuclear safety regulation in Russia and in France, which was proved by the results of the joint integrated inspections and emergency response exercises at the Russian and French nuclear plants in 2012”, emphasized Mr. Ferapontov.

“Next year, Russia will take chair in G8. In the process of elaboration of the actions under the Russian chairmanship, we made a proposal coordinated with the Agency experts at the working level on conduct of a 3-day international seminar under the aegis of the IAEA to take account of lessons learnt from the IAEA regulatory review missions in Moscow in October 2014. We will be glad to welcome you and your employees in Russia as the participants of this significant event”, concluded Acting Chairman of Rostechnadzor.

Interaction between the Federal Environmental, Industrial and Nuclear Supervision Service of Russia and ASN in carried out in frames of the inter-agency Agreement on Information Share and Cooperation in the Field of Safety Regulation in Atomic Energy Peaceful Uses.