Developing nuclear safety: ASN’s independence, international cooperation and European integration

On the occasion of the New Year, the French Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN), through its president, Mr André-Claude Lacoste, presented his best wishes to the press on 19 January.

Speaking before twenty journalists from the national and international press, Mr André-Claude Lacoste discussed ASN, its development, its relationships with the various key players in its area of operation, as well as its strategic priorities for 2010.

He stressed the following points in particular:

• The Transparency and Nuclear Safety Act (TSN) sets the framework and legal conditions for ASN’s legitimacy and role. ASN, an independent administrative authority, is completely independent and considers that it is responsible for proper application of the measures of the TSN Act. With this aim in view, it follows a policy of full transparency (by publishing information notes, post-inspection letters for nuclear and radiotherapy facilities), develops its own skills (450 ASN agents), seeks to strengthen its financial independence and accounts to the French Parliament and citizens.
• ASN has an active policy of international cooperation. In particular, it is investing in the building of a European hub for nuclear safety and radiation protection authorities. The European nuclear safety and radiation protection network already has an ongoing dialogue. The Western European Nuclear Regulators’ Association (WENRA), preparation of the European directive on nuclear safety, the draft European directive on waste, the common declaration, made at France’s initiative, by the three nuclear safety authorities on “EPR instrumentation and control”, the Heads of European Radiation Control Authorities (HERCA) and ASN's hosting of an international radiotherapy conference in Versailles in December 2009 illustrate the reality, added value and benefits of European integration for nuclear safety and radiation protection.

On 7 April 2010, ASN will present its report “Nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2009” during a hearing that is open to the press and organised by the French Parliamentary Office for the Evaluation of Scientific and Technological Choices (OPECST).