3.1.4 Inspection of radioactive substances transport In 2024, 146 inspector.days were devoted by ASN to on-site inspection of transport activities, corresponding to 90 on-site inspections. Of these, 26% were unannounced. One remote-inspection was also carried out. 3.1.5 Inspection of small-scale nuclear activities ASN organises its inspection activity so that it is proportionate to the radiological issues involved in the use of ionising radiation and consistent with the actions of the other inspection services. In 2024, 1,405 inspector.days were devoted to on-site inspections of smallscale nuclear activities, corresponding to 761 inspections, 8% of which were unannounced, plus three remote inspections. This inspection work was notably distributed among the medical, industrial, veterinary, research or naturally occurring radioactivity fields. 3.1.6 Inspection of ASN approved organisations and laboratories ASN carries out a second level of inspection on approved organisations and laboratories. In addition to reviewing the application file and issuing the approval, this comprises surveillance actions such as: ∙approval audits (initial or renewal audit); ∙checks to ensure that the organisation and operation of the entity concerned comply with the applicable requirements; ∙supervisory checks, which are usually unannounced, to ensure that the organisation’s staff work in satisfactory conditions. In 2024, 127 inspector.days were devoted to checking approved organisations and laboratories, corresponding to 69 inspections, 29% of which were unannounced, plus 3 remote inspections. 3.1.7 Checks on exposure to Radon and Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials ASN also checks radiation protection in premises where the exposure of persons to naturally occurring radiation may be reinforced owing to the underlying geological context (radon in PABs and in the workplace). Monitoring exposure to radon Article R. 1333-33 of the Public Health Code states that the activity concentration of radon in PABs is measured either by IRSN, or by organisations approved by ASN. These measurements are to be taken between 15 September of a given year and 30 April of the following year. Article R. 4451-44 of the Labour Code stipulates that, whenever required, the initial checks on the radon activity concentration in areas identified owing to the radon risk must be carried out by accredited organisations. Monitoring natural radioactivity in water intended for human consumption Monitoring the natural radioactivity in water intended for human consumption is the role of the ARS. The procedures for these checks take account of the recommendations issued by ASN and are taken up in the General Health Directorate Circular of 13 June 2007. The results of the checks are jointly analysed and utilised by ASN and the services of the Ministry of Health. 3.2 Analysis of the demonstrations provided by the licensee The purpose of the files supplied by the licensee is to demonstrate compliance with the objectives set by the general technical regulations, as well as those that it has set for itself. ASN is required to check the completeness of the data and the quality of the demonstration. The review of these files may lead ASN to accept or to reject the licensee’s proposals, to ask for additional information or studies or to ask for work to be done to bring the relevant items into conformity. 3.2.1 Analysing the files transmitted by BNI licensees Reviewing the supporting documents produced by the licensees and the technical meetings organised with them are one of the forms of control carried out by ASN. Whenever it considers it necessary, ASN requests an opinion from its technical support organisations, the most important of which is IRSN. The safety review implies cooperation by numerous specialists, as well as efficient coordination, in order to identify the essential points relating to safety and radiation protection. The IRSN assessment is based on in-depth technical discussions with the licensee teams responsible for designing and operating the installations. It is also based on studies and R&D programmes focused on risk prevention and on improving our knowledge of accidents. For certain dossiers, ASN asks the competent Advisory Committee of Experts (GPE) for its opinion. For the others, IRSN examines the safety analyses and gives its opinion directly to ASN. ASN procedures for requesting the opinion of a technical support organisation and, where required, of a GPE, are described in chapter 2. At the design and construction stage, ASN – aided by its technical support organisation – assesses the safety analysis reports describing and justifying the design principles, equipment and system design calculations, utilisation rules and test procedures, and quality organisation provisions implemented by the prime contractor and its suppliers. It also analyses the facility’s environmental impact assessment. ASN regulates and oversees the construction and manufacture of structures and equipment, in particular those of the main primary system and the main secondary systems of Pressurised Water Reactors (PWRs). In accordance with the same principles, it checks the packages intended for TSR. Once the nuclear facility has been commissioned, following ASN authorisation, all changes to the facility or its operation made by the licensee that could affect security, public health and safety, or the protection of the environment, are reported to ASN or submitted to it for authorisation. Moreover, the licensee must perform periodic safety reviews to update the assessment of the facility, taking into account any changes in techniques and regulations, and experience feedback. The conclusions of these reviews are submitted by the licensee to ASN, which can issue new binding requirements for continued operation. The other files submitted by BNI licensees A large number of files concern specific topics such as fire protection, fuel management in PWRs, relations with the outside contractors, etc. The licensee therefore also periodically provides activity reports as well as summaries of water intake, liquid and gaseous discharges and waste produced. 3.2.2 Review of the applications required by the Public Health Code ASN is responsible for reviewing applications to possess and use ionising radiation sources in the medical and industrial sectors. ASN also deals with the specified procedures for the acquisition, distribution, import, export, transfer, recovery and disposal of radioactive sources. It in particular relies on the inspection reports from the approved organisations and the reports on the steps taken to remedy nonconformities detected during these inspections. In addition to the verifications carried out under the responsibility of the facilities and the periodic checks required by the regulations, ASN carries out its own checks when examining the applications. ASN Report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2024 155 01 Regulation of nuclear activities and exposure to ionising radiation 03 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 AP 02 04
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