IRRS follow-up mission to France - October 2017

34 7.6. INSPECTION OF RADIATION SOURCES FACILITIES 2014 MISSION RECOMMENDATIONS, SUGGESTIONS S13 Suggestion: ASN should consider harmonizing inspection activities between the medical and non-medical areas in accordance with a graded approach for all sources, including low risk sources. Changes since the initial IRRS mission Suggestion 13: ASN established a task force between September 2016 and April 2017 to examine the regulatory framework and the oversight activities of both medical and non-medical sources, especially inspection activities. In addition, as mentioned in Recommendation 7, the upcoming PHC will result in a more graded approach to authorization which will in turn affect the inspection programs for both sectors. For example, an increased number of practices will only require to be notified which will not require planned inspections. This new graded approach will apply to both medical and non-medical sectors, resulting in more consistent or harmonized inspection programs. In order to make the most efficient use of its resources, ASN reviews its national priorities for its inspection programs each year. ASN is currently developing a core or minimum set of areas for each type of inspection for medical and non-medical inspections, and it is expected that this should be completed by end of 2017. This will result in a more consistent approach to inspections in both sectors, and increase the flexibility available to inspectors to customise the duration and scope of inspections depending on what is discovered at the time of the inspection. ASN presented the documents framing the inspection plans for 2018 to the IRRS team for both the medical and non-medical sectors. These plans identified national priorities and inspection themes for both sectors demonstrating a risk-informed consistent approach. Status of the finding in the initial miss ion Suggestion 13 (S13) is closed on the basis of progress made and confidence in the effective completion as ASN has updated the approach to inspection activities in medical and non-medical radiation practices, including a graded approach with inspection frequency based on risk of the activity. However, work is still ongoing in this area, including the development of a core or minimum set of inspection requirements which is due to be completed by the end of 2017. 7.7. INSPECTION OF DECOMMISSIONING ACTIVITIES There were no findings in this area in the initial IRRS mission.