The commissioner of the Safety Nuclear Council (CSN), Javier Dies, and the technical director of Nuclear Safety, Rafael Cid, have participated in the plenary meeting of the Western European Nuclear Regulators Association (WENRA) that took place in Basel (Switzerland) between the 14th and 16th of this month. The WENRA plenary meets periodically in spring and autumn.

In this meeting, the priority lines derived from the 2018 strategic plan have been approved, mainly with regard to the revision of the reference levels established by WENRA on nuclear safety, radioactive waste management, spent fuel and decommissioning. The incorporation of new topics of interest for the regulation of nuclear and radiological safety has also been discussed, such as Small Modular Reactors or Accident Tolerant Nuclear Fuels, as well as the financing of the association and the relationship with stakeholders.

WENRA has unanimously approved the incorporation of the Russian regulatory body as an associate member and the collaboration with other associations such as ENSRA (European Nuclear Security Regulators Association) and ETSON (European Technical Support Organizations Network).

Finally, the members of the WENRA plenary have reviewed the activities being carried out by the three permanent working groups: the RHWG (Reactor Harmonization Working Group), the WGWD (Working Group on Waste and Decommissioning) and the newly created group on Research Reactors.

The Western European Nuclear Regulators Association (WENRA) was created 20 years ago in the spirit of establishing a regional forum that allowed the exchange of information and experiences in nuclear safety and the development of initiatives and programs within the framework of the European Union, aimed at the harmonization of the safety of nuclear facilities in Europe. The Safety Nuclear Council is one of the founding members and participates in plenary meetings as well as in permanent working groups. More information: www.wenra.org/