1 // Developing relations between ASN and the public 1.1 Informing the public at large ASN works to ensure that citizens have reliable information on the nuclear risk and that they develop the right radiation protection reflexes in all circumstances (particularly with respect to the risks of exposure of medical personnel and patients during medical activities involving ionising radiation). To this end, ASN develops relations with its stakeholders and uses diverse vectors: printed publications, website, social networks, etc. The Cahiers de l’ASN publications aim to provide an informative overview of major subjects relating to nuclear safety. With lots of illustrations (diagrams, photos, computer graphics) and short and airy texts, it is designed to make for easy reading. The Cahiers are distributed to nearly 10,000 subscribers and are available at asn.fr. Two Cahiers de l’ASN were published in 2021. The first, entitled Nuclear power plants beyond 40 years: what are the conditions for the continued operation of EDF’s 900 MWe reactors? (February 2021), reviews the situation concerning the future of the 32 reactors concerned –the oldest in operation in France– beyond their 40 years of operation. ASN reports on its conclusions and the generic decision it has taken for the reactors of this type. The second, entitled 10 years after Fukushima: what safety improvements for nuclear facilities in France? (March 2021) emphasises that the Fukushima Daiichi NPP accident highlighted the need to reinforce the resilience of nuclear facilities and organisations in the face of extreme situations. It proposes a “guided tour” of the main safety enhancements made to the facilities in France. ASN sends its two-monthly La Lettre de l’Autorité de sûreté nucléaire (Nuclear Safety Authority Newsletter) to more than 5,000 subscribers. This publication provides a summary of the most noteworthy topical issues and information relative to ASN resolutions and actions. To subscribe to the ASN newsletter, simply register on asn.fr. 1.1.1 The website asn.fr Receiving more than 55,600 visits per month on average, the asn.fr website is the pivotal component of the system for informing the different audiences. It posts the majority of draft opinions and resolutions for consultation. The website is also a reference source of information for the more informed audiences: expert citizens, members of environmental associations and professionals. In all, more than 2.1 million pages of the website were viewed in 2021. ASN translates the information notices, press releases and content concerning important issues. These English translations support ASN’s work in large international organisations and foster a concerted global vision of nuclear safety and radiation protection. In 2021, ASN put on line a new version of its website with the aim of facilitating access to the 20,000-odd pages it devotes to the oversight of nuclear safety and radiation protection, the regulations, and ASN’s actions in the areas of health, industry and nuclear research. Content and functionalities are available under the same condition whatever the medium used (computer, INFORMING THE PUBLIC AND OTHER AUDIENCES At the French Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN), informing the public and other audiences is the centre of its activities. The Acts of 2006 on Transparency and Security in the Nuclear Field and 2015 on Energy Transition for Green Growth entrusted ASN with the mission of making a statement on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France. Consequently, throughout the year ASN informs the citizens, the media, the institutional and professional audiences of the situation of the Basic Nuclear Installations (BNIs) and small-scale nuclear activities with respect to the safety and radiation protection requirements. It presents its regulatory and oversight activity and the actions it takes in this respect, and widely disseminates its resolutions and position statements, explaining them where necessary. ASN publishes inspection follow-up letters which, after an inspection, set out its findings and the recommendations for the licensee: nearly 25,000 follow-up letters can thus be consulted on-line. It also publishes notices, guides and reports intended for the professionals and accessible to the public. ASN promotes the involvement of civil society and enables citizens to make their contribution: it consults, for example, the stakeholders and the public on its draft resolutions. To this end, it ensures that the principles of nuclear safety and radiation protection are understood by the widest possible audience, it produces explanatory documents and endeavours to render the technical issues understandable. In 2021, to continue its activity of informing the public and other audiences despite the constraints linked to the Covid-19 pandemic, ASN developed new ways of sharing information and having interchanges: remote press conferences, on-line presentation of the annual report, on-line hearings, etc. All these means, combined with putting new resources on line (especially the new website asn.fr) and increased presence on the social networks, have enabled the dialogue with the various audiences to be maintained throughout the year. 05 180 ASN Report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2021
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