apply when the consequences of the event require intervention by the public authorities. When a given event potentially concerns several facilities, it is referred to as “generic”. The most common example is a fault in an equipment item installed on several nuclear reactors (see chapter 10). In this case, ASN analyses the event as a single event, with the response being essentially common to all the facilities affected. This process follows the IAEA recommendations, which specify that a single notification may be appropriate in the case of an event affecting “Defence in Depth” and concerning several similar facilities. ASN analysis of the notification ASN analyses the initial notification to check the implementation of immediate corrective measures, to decide whether to conduct an on-site inspection to analyse the event in depth, and to prepare for informing the public if necessary. Within two months of the notification, it is followed by a report indicating the conclusions the licensee has drawn from analysis of the events and the steps it intends to take to improve safety or radiation protection and prevent the event from happening again. This information is taken into account by ASN and its technical support organisation, IRSN, in the drafting of the inspection programme and when performing the BNI periodic safety reviews. ASN ensures that the licensee has analysed the event pertinently, has taken appropriate steps to remedy the situation and prevent it from happening again, and has circulated the OEF. The ASN review focuses on compliance with the applicable rules for detecting and notifying significant events, the immediate technical, organisational or human measures taken by the licensee to maintain or bring the installation into a safe condition, and the pertinence of the submitted analysis. PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON THE REVISION OF THE REPORTING PROCEDURES AND CRITERIA FOR SIGNIFICANT RADIATION PROTECTION EVENTS In 2018, the provisions of the Public Health Code and the Labour Code concerning the exposure of individuals to ionising radiation was modified following transposition of the European Directive laying down Basic Safety Standards for protection against the dangers arising from exposure to ionising radiation. These modifications affect the obligations to report to ASN any Significant Radiation protection Events (ESR) affecting patients, the general public or the environment. ASN thus started a revision of these ESR reporting criteria, with the main aims being to harmonise reporting practices between the BNI and small-scale nuclear activities sectors, and to improve these practices in the light of the lessons learned from application of the existing guides. Regulatory changes were incorporated and the new ASN inspection practices, notably the graded approach adopted at the end of 2017, were taken into account. This work led to the production of a draft resolution applying to all professionals subject to the obligations of the Public Health Code and the Labour Code, and falling within the scope of ASN regulation and oversight: those responsible for nuclear activities, including BNI licensees, health professionals, as well as employers whose employees can be exposed to ionising radiation. The draft resolution defines the criteria and the procedures for reporting ESR to ASN. They will apply both to BNIs and to small-scale nuclear activities. A draft ASN Guide has also been written. It clarifies the elements defined in the resolution, so that they are as operational as possible. This Guide will replace Guide No. 11 which concerns small-scale nuclear activities and Appendix 7 of the 2005 Guide applicable to BNIs. ASN Guide No. 31 relative to the procedures for reporting TSR events will also be modified in order to take account of resolution and Guide drafts concerning ESR. These draft texts were submitted for public consultation on the asn.fr website in the second half of 2022. A summary of the observations received will be posted on-line. TABLE Number of significant events rated on the INES scale between 2017 and 2022 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Basic Nuclear Installations Level 0 949 989 1,057 1,033 1,068 985 Level 1 87 103 112 107 103 97 Level 2 4 0 3 2 1 0 Level 3 and + 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 1,040 1,092 1,172 1,142 1,172 1,082 Small-scale nuclear activities (medical and industry) Level 0 144 143 142 135 177(*) 162 Level 1 36 22 35 24 33(*) 39 Level 2 3 0 2 1 0 1 Level 3 and + 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 183 165 179 160 210 202 Transport of radioactive substances Level 0 64 88 85 71 80 76 Level 1 2 3 4 4 4 12 Level 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 Level 3 and + 0 0 0 0 0 0 66 91 89 75 84 88 Grand Total 1,289 1,348 1,440 1,377 1,466 1,372 * Only the data concerning significant events rated level 1 and higher on the INES scale were updated (following the re-ratings carried out in the year following that of reporting). 6 ASN Report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2022 155 • 03 • Regulation of nuclear activities and exposure to ionising radiation 01 03 07 08 13 AP 04 10 06 12 14 09 05 11 02
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