Launch of the third phase of the joint review of safety options of the NUWARD reactor
On 21 January 2026, ASNR, together with seven European counterparts, launched the third phase of the Joint Early Review for the NUWARD SMR reactor project[1], developed by a subsidiary of EDF.
The conclusions and main findings of the second phase were published in a report in December 2025. This second phase confirmed the relevance of the assessment method chosen for reactor projects that have reached a sufficient degree of maturity, while also being in line with international standardization efforts.
In addition to the participation of the Dutch (ANVS), Polish (PAA), Swedish (SSM), Finnish (STUK) and Czech (SUJB) authorities, the initiative now welcomes the Belgian (AFCN) and Italian (ISIN) authorities. In line with previous phases, this new stage aims to evaluate, on the basis of a concrete project, the safety challenges surrounding small modular reactors and how they are addressed in different national regulatory frameworks.
The assessment of regulators during this third phase will focus on new topics: the approach to preventing large breaks of main components, the safety classification process, and the approach adopted for taking into account scenarios of loss of off-site power supply.
The conclusions of this review, expected by the end of 2026, will contribute to ASNR's reflections on the harmonisation of safety requirements and authorisation processes for new reactors.
[1] NUWARD SMR is a small modular pressurised water reactor design with two loops, producing approximately 1,100 MWth of power.