Les cahiers de l'ASN #03 - 10 years after Fukushima

Informing and advising the authorities The crucial information collected by ASN is of primary interest to the State, which may be required to take rapid decisions concerning the national nuclear fleet. With regard to the contamination of goods imported from Japan, ASN also issued recommendations concerning products other than foodstuffs. Foodstuffs were subject to European regulations that were automatically applicable in France. ASN advised the Government and kept Parliament and the HCTISN* informed. When a radiological emergency situation arises, ASN assists the Government with all questions within its field of competence. It sends the competent authorities its recommendations regarding the medical and health measures or the civil security measures to be taken. It informs the public of the condition of the facility which caused the emergency situation, when under its authority, and of any releases into the environment and the risks for human health and the environment. WHAT THE LAW SAYS Diversified means of communication At the same time, in order to carry out its role of informing the French population, ASN published daily press releases and held 17 press conferences to answer questions from journalists. It also set up a website devoted to the incident and made extensive use of video in order to reach out to the general public. A telephone hotline for the public constituted another information source, in order to answer the numerous queries arising from the accident. 1,500 Media queries 36 Press releases 17 press briefings ( between 12 March and 14 April 2011) 700,000 connections to the ASN website With regard to communications, there is also a before and after Fukushima Since 2011, ASN has become the go-to source for nuclear information in France. On the occasion of this crisis, there was a considerable rise in ASN’s profile, and in the awareness of its interventions and the credibility given to them. 40 % of the French population stated that they were familiar with ASN after the Fukushima crisis (as compared with 24% in 2010)* * According to the TNS SOFRES barometer (today Kantar Public) 10 years after Fukushima, what safety improvements for nuclear facilities in France? • 5