International activities

The Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Authority (ASNR) is a global leader in nuclear safety and radiation protection, committed to ensuring the highest standards of safety in nuclear facilities worldwide. ASNR is also committed to efficiency, ensuring that its actions are both impactful and proportionate to the challenges of nuclear safety and radiological protection.  Our mandate includes control and overseeing of civil nuclear activities and radiological protection in France and promotion of French practices and approaches in Europe and at the international level. ASNR also provides expertise, research and training in these fields. Finally, it plays a key role in promoting transparency in nuclear matters and regularly reports on its activities to the French Parliament.

Our international activities and strengths

1.    Regulation and oversight

ASNR has been entrusted with the important task of developing and enforcing regulatory frameworks for nuclear safety and radiation protection. Our regulatory oversight is intended to ensure compliance with international standards and promote the French practices and approaches to ensure the highest level of a safety to enhance the culture of safety.

2.    Nuclear safety assessment

As a national Authority and Technical Safety Organization (TSO) provided with dual responsibilities linked to safety regulation and technical safety support, ASNR is Europe’s largest nuclear safety authority and conducts safety assessments of nuclear facilities to ensure they comply with regulations and meet the highest safety standards. Our expertise in research and development improves nuclear safety methods and tools, contributing to a safer nuclear landscape worldwide.

3.    Research and Development

The increasing use of ionizing radiation across numerous professional sectors demands a consistently high level of protection against nuclear and radiological risks. To strengthen its capabilities in both expertise and oversight, ASNR actively participates in European and international research programs—essential drivers of new scientific knowledge and the development of innovative, science-based tools and technologies.
We are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with international partners, whose insights and innovative approaches contribute to our shared goal of advancing nuclear safety and radiation protection.

4.    Support to Nuclear Safety Authorities, TSO and other public and private organizations

ASNR may offer scientific support and services to over 50 countries, through cooperation, and technical assistance with the aim empowering countries to enhance their nuclear safety frameworks and achieve excellence in nuclear safety practices.

ASNR offers also a wide range of training courses in nuclear safety and radiation protection for professionals using ionizing radiation. It helps maintain a high level of expertise in nuclear safety and radiation protection and contributes to better prevention and protection against the dangers of using ionizing radiation.

5.    Participation in European programs

ASNR is actively involved in the Euratom research programs which are integrated within the Horizon Europe framework. We contribute to significant initiatives such as the European Joint Programme on Radioactive Waste Management (EURAD) and Radiation Protection (PIANOFORTE), which are aimed at developing solutions for managing radioactive waste and improving nuclear data for the safety of energy and non-energy applications of ionizing radiation.
We are also leading a European consortium in the framework of the FIND project (Future Instrumentation and Control based on Innovative Methods and Disruptive technologies for higher Safety Level), aimed at developing advanced instrumentation to enhance nuclear reactor safety. This project focuses on innovative technologies for nuclear reactor long-term operation, particularly in response to the safety upgrades linked to Fukushima accident. It involves key activities such as the development of real-time structural health monitoring systems, digital twins for predicting reactor aging, and advanced accident instrumentation. It will run from 2024 to 2028, strengthening new scientific knowledge production under ASNR’s leadership.

6.    In emergency situations

In the case of a radiological emergency, ASNR assesses the nature and severity of the incident, its evolution, mitigation and possible developments, the real or potential radiological consequences of the situation and the remediation measures.
ASNR verifies the adequacy of the measures taken by the operator to manage the incident and to restore a sufficient safety level of the installations. It provides information to the governmental institutions, the public and the media and handles international notification.
ASNR participates in international exercises to share and improve good practices, as IAEA’s CONVEX.

Participation in international organizations

ASNR’s mission is also to contributing to the global nuclear safety standards through its involvement in the main international organizations and networks:

  • European Commission: ASNR contributes to the European nuclear safety framework by providing expertise to national Authorities and decision-makers, notably through its involvement in EU-funded programs and partnerships, leveraging its expertise in integrated TSO services.
  • ENSREG: As part of the European Nuclear Safety Regulators Group, ASNR contributes to building a robust legal framework for nuclear safety in Europe. Our expertise is instrumental in harmonizing safety practices across the EU.
  • ETSON: ASNR is a long-standing member of the European Technical Safety Organizations Network. This network facilitates the exchange of technical and scientific knowledge, which strengthens our collective expertise in nuclear safety.
  • IAEA and NEA: ASNR is also honored to collaborate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) of the OECD, ensuring that our practices align with global standards. We are committed to contributing to the development of international guidelines and recommendations, as well as new scientific knowledge in the frame of NEA.
    Moreover ASNR is an IAEA Collaborating Centre and shall support the IAEA in the implementation of activities in the IAEA Programmes “Nuclear Techniques for Development and Environmental Protection” and “Nuclear Safety and Security”.
  • WENRA: The Western European Nuclear Regulators Association is dedicated to promoting nuclear safety and harmonizing regulatory practices. ASNR's involvement in WENRA underscores our dedication to maintaining the highest safety standards.
  • HERCA: The Heads of the European Radiological Protection Competent Authorities collaborate to contribute to a high level of radiological protection throughout Europe. ASNR's involvement in HERCA underscores our dedication to enhancing radioprotection practices.
  • WHO: ASNR is a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre. It provides technical support to WHO in different areas: preparedness and response to radiation emergencies, mental health and psychosocial support in case of radiation emergencies, radiation protection in medical applications of ionizing radiation and existing radiation exposures.
  • International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP): While not an international organization in the strictest sense, the ICRP plays a key normative role. ASNR contributes especially to its Main Commission. 
Presentation of the French report by Olivier Gupta, IAEA, March 2025 - © ASNR

Software development

ASNR’s software solutions, such as ASTEC (The ASTEC software system), have the potential to contribute to the global effort to assess the consequences of severe accidents in nuclear facilities. Concerning ASTEC, the integration of new reactor concepts as SMR/AMR, the strengthening of the collaboration within the international nuclear community and the training of the next generation of nuclear professionals will allow to establish a common scientific culture concerning severe accidents, their consequences and mitigation measures, and to promote a shared safety culture. 
All these tools (Les codes de calcul) have been developed in collaboration with European partners, with the aim of enhancing nuclear safety and emergency preparedness.

Experimental facilities and means

ASNR develops and operates its own experimental facilities and means. Through cooperation or services agreements, several international partners are involved in these programmes, through notably EURATOM and NEA safety projects. The following link provides a list describing some of these facilities: Experimental facilities and means.

Permanent representation in Brussels

Our presence at the Maison Irène et Frédéric Joliot-Curie in Brussels strengthens our influence in European research and policy-making. We engage with key stakeholders to enhance, harmonize and promote French approaches and doctrines in nuclear safety and radiation protection. 
Through international scientific networking, the creation and dissemination of scientific knowledge will contribute to shaping the future of nuclear safety in Europe, especially through Euratom research program.

Why ASNR could be the right choice for you?

  • Global Expertise: Our international collaborations and regulatory expertise make us a trusted and recognized partner in nuclear safety.
  • Innovative Solutions: We endeavor to implement and assess innovation proposed by industry through cutting-edge research and development.
  • Tailored Support: ASNR may provide a range of integrated TSO services, including training, technical support, research and capacity building, under cooperation or service agreements with public or private partners, from regulatory framework development based on science, research and a long-standing experience and feedback on French nuclear facilities safety assessment to training and capacity building.

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