All the fuel and all the radioactive sources used during operation of the facility the facility have been removed since December 2021, in accordance with the priority objectives of the DECPROs. The start-up neutron source is stored in the reactor building pool pending the identification of a disposal route. ASN considers that the nuclear safety of the facility in 2023 is broadly satisfactory with regard to management of the fire risk, a theme which was inspected. Laboratory for research and experimental fabrication of advanced nuclear fuels – CEA centre Commissioned in 1983, the Laboratory for research and experimental fabrication of advanced nuclear fuels (Lefca – BNI 123) was a laboratory tasked with conducting studies on plutonium, uranium, actinides and their compounds with the aim of understanding the behaviour of these materials in the reactor and in the various stages of the “fuel cycle”. In 2018, Lefca finalised the transfer of part of its research and development equipment to the Atalante laboratories (BNI 148) at Marcoule. In April 2023, ASN transmitted its opinion on the facility’s DOR, submitted by the CEA in March 2022. The licensee submitted its periodic safety review concluding report in December 2023, which presents the case for continued operation of the facility. The planned new activities will have to be authorised by decree. ASN considers that the nuclear safety of the facility in 2023 is broadly satisfactory with regard to control of chain nuclear reactions and the condition of the systems, themes which were inspected. It would nevertheless be advisable to improve the formalisation of many Protection-Important Activities (AIPs), particularly those contributing to the control of chain reactions in order to guarantee that safety is adequately maintained despite the potential personnel movements. Chicade laboratory – CEA centre Since 1993, the Chicade facility (BNI 156) has been conducting research and development work on low and intermediate- level objects and waste, chiefly involving: • the destructive and non-destructive characterisation of radioactive objects, waste sample packages and irradiating objects; • the development and qualification of nuclear measurement systems; • the development and implementation of chemical and radiochemical analysis methods; • the expert assessment and inspection of waste packages packaged by the waste producers. In 2023, the licensee started the facility for packaging disused sealed sources in the “870L Vrac Source” package authorised by an ASN resolution. The CEA produced the first package on 5 May 2023. With regard to environmental protection, in May 2023 the CEA submitted a request to modify the facility’s Creation Authorisation Decree (DAC), more specifically to take gaseous discharges of tritium into account. A request for a minor modification of the perimeter has also been submitted. These files are currently being examined by ASN. ASN considers that the level of safety and radiation protection is satisfactory on the whole, particularly with regard to the management of deviations and the measures taken for management of the waste produced by the facility. Cedra storage facility – CEA centre Since 2006, the Cedra facility (BNI 164) is used to store ILW-LL waste pending the creation of appropriate disposal routes. The CEA forecasts that this facility will be filled to capacity by 2030. The studies concerning a project to double the storage capacity began in 2020. The studies concerning the project to double the facility’s storage capacity continued in 2023. ASN considers that the organisation put in place for the periodic safety review of 2022 is satisfactory. ASN has nevertheless asked for additional information concerning the content of this report. ASN considers that the level of nuclear safety and radiation protection in the facility is satisfactory on the whole. Improvements are nevertheless required in the monitoring of work carried out in the facility by outside contractors. ASN also remains vigilant regarding the maintaining of operating skills and know-how, in a context of a high turnover of the operational personnel. Magenta storage warehouse – CEA centre The Magenta facility (BNI 169), which replaces the MCMF currently being decommissioned, has been dedicated since 2011 to the storage of non-irradiated fissile material and the non-destructive characterisation of the nuclear materials received. The licensee submitted its safety review concluding report in February 2021. In 2023, the licensee supplemented this file at the request of ASN, and an inspection dedicated to the application of the action plan was carried out. Densification of the storage of certain types of package in the facility was authorised in 2023 in order to optimise the occupied surface area so that new materials can be accommodated. ASN considers that the nuclear safety of the facility in 2023 is satisfactory, particularly regarding the control of chain reactions. An inspection dedicated to the periodic safety review concluded that the action plan was followed and implemented satisfactorily. ABSTRACTS – ASN Report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2023 93 Regional overview of nuclear safety and radiation protection • PROVENCE-ALPES-CÔTE D’AZUR •
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