ASN Report 2020

∙ To limit exposure of the population to the risk of contamination through consumption, a non-consumption perimeter for fresh local produce is proposed. First of all, this perimeter would be defined from the largest of the population protection perimeters (sheltering, ingestion of iodine, etc.) determined during the emergency phase. It would then be refined using environmental contamination measurements and the available models. ∙ With regard to the sale of local produce, the Codirpa proposes adopting a regional approach per agricultural production and livestock sector, based on the maximum allowable radioactive contamination levels defined by the European authorities for the sale of foodstuffs. In addition, to meet the request for support for initiatives to transfer aspects of the doctrine to the regional level, the Codirpa set up a working group involving numerous associations (including the Anccli), the IRSN but also representatives national and decentralised administrations. The work done led to: ∙ the creation of an Anccli/ASN/IRSN website raising post- accident awareness ( post-accident-nucleaire.fr ) . This site enables elected officials, health professionals, associations, education personnel and economic players to access documents and information of use for preparing or managing life in a region contaminated by a nuclear accident; ∙ the publication of a practical guide intended for the inhabitants of a region contaminated by a nuclear accident; ∙ frequently asked questions/answers drawn up with and for health professionals on subjects concerning health and everyday life. This initial information work will be continued over the long term, and the post-accident awareness-raising website will be enhanced in the future with Codirpa producing information to support and assist the post-accident stakeholders. 2. ASN’s role in an emergency and post-accident situation 2.1  The four key duties of ASN In an emergency situation, the responsibilities of ASN, with the support of IRSN, are as follows: ∙ check the steps taken by the licensee and ensure that they are pertinent; ∙ advise the authorities on population protection measures; ∙ take part in the dissemination of information to the population and media; ∙ act as Competent Authority within the framework of the international Conventions on Early Notification and Assistance. Checking the steps taken by the licensee As in a normal situation, ASN exercises its roles as the regulatory authority in an accident situation. In this particular context, ASN ensures that the licensee exercises in full its responsibility for keeping the accident under control, mitigating the consequences, and rapidly and regularly informing the public authorities. It draws on the IRSN's expertise and assessments and can at any time ask the licensee to perform appraisals and take the necessary actions, without however taking the place of the licensee in the technical operations. Advising the département and zone Prefects and the Government The decision by the Prefect concerning the general public protection measures to be taken in radiological emergency and post-accident situations depends on the actual or foreseeable consequences of the accident around the site. The law states that it is up to ASN to make recommendations to the Prefect and the Government, incorporating the analysis carried out by the IRSN. This analysis covers both a diagnosis of the situation (understanding of the situation of the installation affected, analysis of the consequences for humans and the environment) and a prognosis (assessment of possible developments, notably radioactive releases). These recommendations more specifically concern the steps to be taken to protect the population in the emergency and post-accident phases. Circulation of information ASN is involved in informing: ∙ the media and the public: publication of press releases and organisation of press conferences; it is important that this action be coordinated with the other entities required to communicate (Prefects, licensees at both local and national levels, etc.); ∙ institutional and associative stakeholders: local authorities, ministries, offices of the Prefect, political authorities, general directorates of administrations, Anccli, Local Information Committees, etc.; ∙ foreign nuclear safety Regulators. Function of Competent Authority as defined by International Conventions The Environment Code provides for ASN to fulfil the role of Competent Authority under the 1986 International Conventions on early notification and assistance. As such, it collates and summarises information for the purpose of sending or receiving notifications and for transmitting the information required by these Conventions to the international organisations (International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA – and European Union) and to the countries affected by the possible consequences on their own territory, jointly with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. 2.2  Organisation in the event of a major accident The ASN emergency response organisation set up to deal with a major accident more specifically comprises: ∙ the participation of ASN staff in the various units of the Interministerial Crisis Committee (CIC); ∙ the creation of a national Emergency Centre in Montrouge (Île-de-France region) organised around an emergency director and various specialised units: ‒ an “information management and coordination” unit, in charge of supporting the emergency director; ‒ a logistics unit; ‒ a “safety” unit in charge of understanding and assessing the ongoing event; ‒ a “protection of persons, the environment and property” unit, notably in charge of proposing population protection actions; ‒ an “internal and external communication” unit; ‒ an “international relations” unit; ‒ a “forward planning” unit. The working of the Emergency Centre is regularly tested during national emergency exercises and is activated for actual incidents or accidents. At the local level, ASN representatives visit the département and zone Prefects to help them with their decisions and their communication actions. ASN inspectors may also go to the site affected; others take part in emergency management at the headquarters of the regional division involved. ASN Report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2020 179 04 – RADIOLOGICAL EMERGENCY AND POST-ACCIDENT SITUATIONS 04