Bilateral meeting with Switzerland
The 35th meeting of the Franco-Swiss Commission on Nuclear Safety was held on 24 and 25 June 2026 in the town of Spiez (Switzerland).
The Swiss delegation, led by Mark Kenzelmann, Director of the Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (ENSI), included several representatives from ENSI, the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), the Federal Office of Energy (SFOE), the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC), and the Swiss cantons. The French delegation was led by Commissioner Géraldine Pina and accompanied by representatives from various Directorates.
Discussions focused on the current status of nuclear reactors in France (the 4th periodic review of 1,300 MWe reactors, guidelines for the 5th periodic review of 900 MWe reactors, and the EPR2 program) and in Switzerland (Parliament’s lifting of the ban on building new nuclear power plants), progress on innovative small modular reactor (SMR) projects in France and Switzerland (BALDER molten salt experimental reactor project), deep geological repository projects, and crisis management in France and Switzerland.
News and activities related to radiation protection in the medical field were also discussed. In this context, ASNR and the Federal Office of Public Health agreed to strengthen the exchange of experience on the radiation protection of patients and workers in connection with the use of an emerging technology in external radiation therapy - flash therapy.
A tour of the Spiez Laboratory, which specializes in nuclear, radiological, biological, and chemical defense (NRBC risks), was organized. The tour included a presentation on mobile radioactivity measurement equipment and the laboratory facilities used to conduct research on Class 4 pathogens (infectious diseases with high potential for spread and high mortality rates).
Following this bilateral meeting, both parties agreed to meet again in France in June 2027.
From left to right: Marzio Giamboni (Swiss cantons), Annatina Muller-Germana (IFSN) Sébastien Baechler (OFSP), Géraldine Pina (ASNR), Sylvain Petit (ASNR), Marc Kenzelmann (IFSN), Lucia Federspiel (CENAL), Sophie Beauquier (ASNR), Rosa Sardella (IFSN), Loriane Kohlre (IFSN), Olivier Mauron (IFSN), Aurélie Isambert (ASNR), Olivier Lareynie (ASNR), Martin Buchmann (IFSN).