For 2023, one of WENRA’s priorities will be to compare how the reference levels are implemented in the various European nuclear power plants, thus enabling it to complete the work to harmonise regulations through verification of the concrete measures actually adopted. 2.8 The association of the Heads of European Radiological Protection Competent Authorities (HERCA) In the field of radiation protection, HERCA, founded in 2007, also at the instigation of ASN, is an association of the Heads of the European Radiological Protection Competent Authorities. Its aim is to reinforce European cooperation in radiation protection and to harmonise national practices. HERCA now comprises 56 authorities from 32 European countries, including the 27 members of the EU, Iceland, Norway, the United Kingdom, Serbia and Switzerland. In 2022 its technical secretariat was the responsibility of ASN and was recently handed over to the Swedish nuclear safety authority (SSM), which currently chairs the association with the assistance of two vicechairs, one from the Luxembourg Ministry of Health, and the other being an ASN Commissioner. Six expert groups are currently working on the following themes: ∙ practices and sources in the industrial and research fields; ∙ medical applications of ionising radiation; ∙ preparedness for and management of emergency situations; ∙ veterinary applications; ∙ natural radiation sources; ∙ education and training. In 2022, the association met in Budapest in May, and then in Athens in December. The major decisions and actions include: ∙ implementation of the new HERCA strategy, which was defined with a significant contribution from ASN, with its main focus being reinforced cooperation between the radiation protection competent authorities and the development of cross-inspections; ∙ active participation by HERCA in the project to overhaul the recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), with the publication of HERCA’s “Reflections on the Revision of the System of Radiological Protection”. HERCA also organised several seminars in 2022, notably concerning implementation of the national radon risk management plans or clinical audits in the medical sector. In response to the events in Ukraine, HERCA also mobilised a group of experts in 2022 to reinforce and prepare for transboundary cooperation in the event of an accident. ASN contributed to this work, which notably led to the publication of a guide intended to help Ukraine, the neighbouring countries and the other countries to manage an accident situation. Coordination meetings between these various circles of countries were also held at the initiative of this group of experts, with a view to reinforcing the effectiveness and the coordination of the measures to be taken to protect the population. 2.9 The European Commission’s assistance programmes Between 2007 and 2022, the actions of the EU with regard to assistance and cooperation for third-party countries in the field of nuclear safety continued under the Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation (INSC), a system offering an administrative, technical and financial framework for those countries seeking such assistance. A new European Instrument concerning assistance and cooperation in the field of Nuclear Safety (EINS) was approved by the European Parliament on 27 May 2021 and replaced the former INSC instrument. Between the date of approval and 31 December 2027, a budget envelope of 300 million euros is planned to support the various projects selected. The goals of the new EINS instrument concern: ∙ the promotion and implementation of the strictest nuclear safety and radiation protection standards in nuclear facilities and for radiological practices in third-party countries; ∙ the implementation of frameworks and methods for application of effective checks on nuclear materials in third-party countries; ∙ the drafting and implementation of responsible strategies for the disposal of spent fuel, for waste management, for delicensing of facilities and for clean-out of former nuclear sites. In 2022, ASN’s Marseille regional division welcomed two inspectors from Morocco, who took part in inspections in the medical field as part of the EU support for the Moroccan nuclear safety authority (AMSSNuR). The EINS instrument is supplemented by other international technical assistance programmes that respond to resolutions taken by the G8 or by IAEA to improve nuclear safety in thirdparty countries and which are financed by contributions from donor States and from the EU. 198 ASN Report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2022 • 06 • International relations 06
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