Regulation
One of the key roles of ASNR is to establish regulations and monitor their implementation in civil nuclear activities.
These activities are diverse in nature, covering all activities involving the use of radioactive substances or ionizing radiation. These activities are governed by regulations designed to ensure that, depending on their nature and the risks they present, they are not likely to jeopardize public health and safety or the protection of nature and the environment.
Nuclear activities are defined in Article L. 1333-1 of the French Public Health Code. Such activities are subject to a specific legal regime depending on their nature and the risks they present:
- the ICPE (facilities classified for environmental protection) regime for activities covered by the nomenclature set out in Article L. 511-2 of the French Environment Code (industrial activities using unsealed radioactive sources, deposit facilities, warehousing or storage of solid ore residues, etc.);
- the regime for basic nuclear facilities set out in Article L. 593-1 of the French Environment Code;
- the regime for secret basic nuclear facilities, which come under the French Defense Code;
- the local nuclear regime for other activities (medical or industrial activities involving ionizing radiation or radioactive sources).
The transposition into French law of Council Directive 2013/59/Euratom of 5th December 2013, laying down basic safety standards for protection against the dangers arising from exposure to ionizing radiation provided an opportunity to update the general legal framework governing nuclear activities over the course of 2018.
Development of doctrine and basic standards for radiation protection
The different levels of regulations governing local nuclear activities in France
