Contenido principal
2024
The Nuclear Energy Agency´s Committee on Nuclear Regulatory Activities (CNRA) approves four new activities related to regulatory practices
This Committee strengthens cross-cutting aspects such as leadership, safety culture, communication and organizational capabilities
During the meeting, a discussion was held on the role of regulators in the current and continuously evolving scenario of the global nuclear sector
A delegation of the Spanish Nuclear Safety Council (CSN), headed by Commissioner Pilar Lucio, participated in the working sessions of the Committee on Nuclear Regulatory Activities (CNRA) of the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA), held in the French town of Gréoux-les-Bains and hosted by the Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN).
Following the restructuring of the Committee in 2022, the body has five permanent working groups and two expert groups dealing with tasks focused on the continuous improvement of nuclear and radiological safety regulation. The mandates assigned to these groups, which came into force at the beginning of the previous year, strengthen cross-cutting aspects such as leadership, safety culture, communication with stakeholders and organizational capabilities focused on nuclear safety. In the course of the meetings, a debate was held on the role of regulators in the current and continuously evolving scenario of the global nuclear sector.
Working Groups
The Committee reviewed the status of ongoing activities on the basis of presentations and discussions with the leaders of the working groups operating under the auspices of the CNRA. Thus, the Working Group on Leadership and Safety Culture (WGLSC) presented its two published reports on the Impact of the regulatory body on the organisations it oversees, and vice versa, and on safety-focused leadership. This group will focus its efforts on defining tools and recommendations for the practical application of the principles and concepts contained in these important documents. In addition, the group presented a new activity dedicated to discussing new regulatory models, which will be led by the CSN.
The Working Group on Regulatory Policy and Licensing (WGPL) presented two new activities, devoted to the Implementation of a graded approach for the review and assessment of nuclear power plant modifications and to the policy on Configuration Management expectations.
The Working Group on Reactor Oversight (WGRO) highlighted the programme of so-called observed inspections, in which inspectors from the group can participate during the preparation and development of regulatory inspection by other members. Furthermore, the Working Group on the Supply Chain (WGSUP) proposed the development of a guide of good practices for observers in international inspections of nuclear component manufacturing and supply facilities, among other activities.
The Working Group on New Technologies (WGNT) outlined a number of new activities that it intends to address in its future work programme, which will be submitted to the standing committee for consideration at its next meeting.
CSN maintains a high level of involvement in the organization through the presence of its experts in the different working groups to share knowledge and develop joint projects.
The Committee on Nuclear Regulatory Activities
The CNRA is an international committee composed of representatives of the regulatory bodies of OECD member countries. It was established in 1989 to guide the NEA programme for the regulation, licensing and inspection of nuclear facilities, from the safety perspective.
The CNRA has several working groups that address issues such as the operating experience of nuclear power plants to communicati
on with the public, including the regulation of new reactors or safety culture.
The CSN considers it important to maintain active participation in all the groups of which it is part, and directly promotes activities related to safety culture (since the Spanish regulator is immersed in its own evaluation process) and risk communication to the public. Therefore, the membership to this committee is considered relevant and strategic, as it provides the CSN with the most valid references towards maintaining updated regulations and practices harmonized with our environment.