News releases

All the news about nuclear safety and radiation protection

470 news

Published on 13/01/2017 at 15:04

After inspection, ASN authorised the restart of nine reactors

ASN approved the restart of nine of the twelve reactors concerned by the carbon concentration anomaly in the steam generator channel heads manufactured by JCFC, following its examination of the results of the inspections carried out and the technical demonstrations provided by EDF for the 900 MWe reactors.

Published on 27/12/2016 at 11:33

Appointment of Sylvie Cadet-Mercier, ASN commissioner

By decree of the President of the Republic dated 21st December 2016, Mrs Sylvie Cadet-Mercier is appointed to the ASN Commission for a 6-year term, as a member designated by the President of the Republic.

Published on 01/12/2016 at 15:00

International review of the safety options file for the Cigeo project

With the aim of obtaining the opinion of its international peers regarding the examination of the safety options file (DOS) for the radioactive waste deep geological disposal facility being developed by Andra, called Cigeo, ASN asked IAEA to organise an international review of this file by experts from safety regulators from other countries.

Published on 19/10/2016 at 10:31

Additional inspections required on steam generators of five EDF reactors

ASN has asked EDF to carry out additional inspections within three months on certain channel heads of the steam generators on 5 of its reactors, in which the steel is affected by a high carbon concentration. The performance of these inspections will require shutdown of the reactors concerned.

Published on 23/09/2016 at 14:00

Areva NP’s Creusot Forge Plant: ASN publishes the list of irregularities detected so far

ASN publishes the list of irregularities of which it has been notified to date, affecting certain items manufactured by Areva NP’s Creusot Forge plant for French civil nuclear activities. These irregularities concern EDF reactor pressure equipment (vessels, steam generators and main primary system piping) and transport packagings for radioactive substances.

Published on 28/06/2016 at 12:00

EDF reactor steam generators in service could contain an anomaly

The analyses carried out by EDF since 2015 conclude that certain steam generator channel heads could contain a zone comprising a high carbon concentration which could lead to lower than expected mechanical properties. These steam generators equip 18 reactors of the 900 and 1450 MWe plant series.

Published on 20/06/2016 at 18:00

Irregularities detected in Areva’s Creusot Forge plant

Since 18th May, when EDF transmitted its analyses of the irregularities brought to light in the Creusot Forge plant, ASN has been conducting its own technical review on the basis of the data transmitted and the additional evidence it requested. As a priority, ASN is dealing with the cases liable to have the most significant implications for reactor safety. In any case, prior to each reactor restart, it ensures that the irregularities detected do not compromise safety.

Published on 16/06/2016 at 14:30

Decommissioning of first-generation nuclear power plants

On 29th March 2016, the ASN commission called EDF to a hearing for the second time concerning its gas-cooled reactors (GCR) decommissioning strategy. These first generation reactors, which have been shut down for more than thirty years now, are located on the Saint-Laurent-des Eaux, Chinon and Bugey sites.

Published on 14/06/2016 at 11:00

EPR Reactor: Information Letter n°18

In the second half of 2015 and early 2016, ASN continued its oversight actions on the Flamanville 3 EPR reactor construction site and the various manufacturing operations for this reactor. The notable points observed over the last few months are detailed below.

Published on 27/05/2016 at 09:20

ASN Report 2015

On 25th May, ASN presented its report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2015 to Parliament.