IRSN certified by the Polish Nuclear Safety Authority
Introduction
As part of the strengthening of IRSN's partnership with the Polish Nuclear Safety Authority (PAA), IRSN Strategy Director Patrice Bueso travelled to Warsaw on July 11, 2023, to officially sign the Institute's recent certification with the PAA.
As part of the strengthening of IRSN's partnership with the Polish Nuclear Safety Authority (PAA), IRSN Strategy Director Patrice Bueso travelled to Warsaw on July 11, 2023, to officially sign the Institute's recent certification with the PAA.
The signing of this certification document will enable the Institute to be consulted by the PAA as technical and scientific support, to assess the safety of future nuclear facilities in Poland. This referral is the result of numerous constructive exchanges between IRSN and PAA over recent months.
In July 2022, the Institute's Director General received a delegation from the PAA to identify the Polish authority's needs in terms of examining future projects that may be submitted to it as part of the roll -out of Poland's nuclear program. Continued discussions in the months that followed led to the drafting of a Memorandum of Understanding and the preparation of IRSN's certification dossier, making it the first foreign organization to be certified by the PAA.
This major event was celebrated in the presence of the Chargé d'Affaires of the French Embassy, Lucie STEPANYAN, and the President of PAA, Mr Andrzej GLOWACKI.
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Jean-Christophe Niel elected President of ETSON, the European TSO network
Introduction
The European Technical Safety Organisations Network, ETSON (Etson.eu) held its general meeting on June 14, 2023, and elected Jen-Christophe Niel, Director General of IRSN, as Chairman for a 3-year term.
The European Technical Safety Organisations Network, ETSON (Etson.eu) held its general meeting on June 14, 2023, and elected Jen-Christophe Niel, Director General of IRSN, as Chairman for a 3-year term.
ETSON's 12 EU members, along with the UK, Japan and Ukraine, have entrusted their new President with the responsibility of continuing ETSON's commitment to nuclear safety, safety authorities, other nuclear industry players and European citizens. The President will have to promote the association's values of exchange, transparency and scientific excellence, as well as strengthening its action in dedicated nuclear safety research, in support of technical expertise, to meet tomorrow's safety challenges.
Jean-Christophe Niel thanked his peers for their support and confidence, and in particular highlighted his priorities in terms of training young generations of experts and strengthening ETSON's cooperation with international organizations (European Commission, IAEA, OECD/NEA) and networks of safety authorities, such as WENRA (Wenra.eu) and ENSREG (ensreg.eu).
Jean-Christophe Niel succeeds Uwe Stoll, Managing Director of GRS, the German TSO, who assumed these responsibilities for 6 years.
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The European Union launches the inception meeting of: Supporting capacity building of Radiation Protection Centre in the field of Radioactive Waste Management
Introduction
Since the project kick off meeting in November 2022, the project partners have worked together in order to elaborate a final roadmap covering technical visits and training activities both in Jordan and in France.
Since the project kick off meeting in November 2022, the project partners have worked together in order to elaborate a final roadmap covering technical visits and training activities both in Jordan and in France, in order to achieve three specific objectives:
- To improve infrastructure rules related to radioactive waste disposal facilities,
- To strengthen the license management of disposal facilities,
- To improve regulation and monitoring in the field of nuclear safety, namely radiation protection in the context of management, decommissioning, and clean-up of radioactive waste.
The direct recipient of this project is the Iraqi Regulatory Body, the Radiation Protection Centre (RPC) within the Iraqi Ministry of Environment (MoEN), beneficiary of the project.
With the participation of Dr. Jassim Abdul Aziz AL-FALAHI, Vice-Minister of Environment, Republic of Iraq, and the Ambassador of the European Union to the International Organisations in Vienna in Vienna, Mr. Stephan KLEMENT, the inception meeting was not only an opportunity to present the project implementation strategy and goals to be reached within the next three years but also to have an overview on how the project will benefit on a larger scale to the Iraqi Ministry of Environment. The Iraqi Republic is currently reshaping its legal framework with the ongoing adoption of a bill establishing an independent nuclear authority in Iraq.
The inception meeting provided also fruitful discussions between Dr. Sabah ALHUSSAINI, Head of The Iraqi Regulatory Body, the RPC, the European Commission representative, Mr. Stephan BRUMM and Mr. Xavier COUSQUER, Head of the Peace, Stability and Security Department Director, Expertise France, lead implementer of this project. These exchanges were supported by technical information from Andra and IRSN, leading organisations in their respective fields in France, which provided useful technical insight into the project.
Background
After the Chernobyl accident in 1986, the European Union launched the Nuclear Safety Programme within the framework of technical assistance to the Commonwealth of Independent States, which, between 1991 and 2006, allocated about 1.2 billion Euros to nuclear safety and security projects. From 2007 to 2013, the European Union extended its support in the field of nuclear safety to third countries under the Nuclear Safety Cooperation Instrument, with a total budget of €524 million. In June 2014, a strategy for the implementation of the second phase of the Nuclear Safety Cooperation Instrument (2014 to 2020) was agreed, with an additional €325 million allocated to nuclear safety projects. Then, in May 2021, a new program of 300 million Euros was approved for the period between 2021 and 2027.
The Iraq Nuclear Decommissioning Project (IDP) began in 2006 following a request submitted by the Government of Iraq to the International Atomic Energy Agency in December 2004, with the aim of assisting Iraq in planning and decommissioning of the nuclear facilities, management of the generated radioactive waste, treatment of contaminated sites, as well as formulation of the relevant legal and regulatory framework. In 2009, the European Union launched a coordinated effort to contribute to this programme.
Implementing partners
Expertise France
As the second largest agency in Europe, Expertise France designs and implements projects that sustainably strengthen public policies in developing and emerging countries. Expertise France, as a pillar-assessed national agency for cooperation and development will therefore ensure a solid and smooth implementation of the project.
IRSN
France’s National Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety, IRSN, is a public expert with industrial and commercial activities set up in 2002. The institute is under the joint authority of the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of the Environment, Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Research and the Ministry of Health.
Andra
Established as an independent structure in 1991, the French National Agency for Radioactive Waste Management, Andra, is responsible for identifying, developing, implementing, operating and guaranteeing safe and sustainable management solutions for all French radioactive waste, to protect present and future generations from the risks inherent in such substances.
For more information, please contact:
Jean-René JOURDAIN, European and International Affairs Department of IRSN.
Julien Malleville, European and International Affairs Department of IRSN.
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IRSN hosted a European meeting in Brussels to prepare for the Euratom 2023-2025 call for projects at the Maison Irène et Frédéric Joliot-Curie
Introduction
The Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform (SNETP) association, of which IRSN is a member, organized a "Coordinators Hub Day" seminar bringing together coordinators of projects involved in EU-funded consortia under EURATOM and Commission representatives.
The Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform (SNETP) association, of which IRSN is a member, organized a "Coordinators Hub Day" seminar bringing together coordinators of projects involved in EU-funded consortia under EURATOM and Commission representatives. Indeed, SNETP works in favour of innovation in the nuclear field and in particular in safety, and one of its missions is to be a facilitator in the development of actions, and to be a real catalyst of the European ecosystem in its field.
The event was held on March 14, 2023 at the Maison Irène et Frédéric Joliot-Curie (MIFJC) in Brussels, of which IRSN is a member. The MIFJC helps strengthen the presence and participation of French science in the European Commission, the European Parliament, and operators active in the political, economic and social sphere in Brussels.
This day of exchanges was the occasion for the coordinators to confront their expectations to the reality and to bring solutions to overcome the difficulties encountered (in terms of management, administration). They were also able to have privileged exchanges with the project leaders of the European Commission concerned, in order to understand the practical needs of the research community and to develop common solutions.
SNETP also presented potential solutions that could help all types of projects and promote synergies with all relevant tools in the fields of training (the ENEN association participated in the event), communication and the efficient use of National Contact Points (NCPs) in particular.
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Strategic autonomy of the EU and EURATOM research: Jean-Christophe Niel presents the safety issues for SMRs to the European Commission
Introduction
Jean-Christophe Niel, Director General, spoke at the seminar on the EU's strategic autonomy and EURATOM research, organised in Brussels on 4 April 2023 and chaired by Commissioner Gabriel, in charge of research and innovation.
Jean-Christophe Niel, Director General, spoke at the seminar on the EU's strategic autonomy and EURATOM research, organised in Brussels on 4 April 2023 and chaired by Commissioner Gabriel, in charge of research and innovation.
In front of officials from the Commission, research and European industry, Jean-Christophe Niel presented the challenges in terms of nuclear safety, linked to innovation and new technologies (SMRs, ... ).
He insisted on the importance of having expertise capacities based on scientific competence, independence, feedback and research. Jean-Christophe Niel also recalled that safety must be technically justified. He illustrated his remarks with a presentation of IRSN's research project on SMRs (PASTIS).
The debate was an opportunity to recall the importance of European safety research platforms and the need to renew them in order to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.
For her part, Commissioner Mariya Gabriel expressed the Commission's determination to support research and innovation in the field of nuclear safety through the Euratom research and training programme, in order to ensure the EU's leadership in the fields of energy and medicine. She also recalled the importance of the trust of civil society and the maintenance of skills in particular in the younger generation.
Finally, the event was marked by the signing of a joint declaration by the Commission with ENEN, ENS, Nuclear Europe and SNETP on the role in the European Union of research, innovation, education and training for the safety of SMRs.
For more information
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The importance of preserving the safety of nuclear facilities in Ukraine
Introduction
At the Board of Governors meeting, IAEA Director General R. Grossi once again emphasized how dangerous the situation is at the Zaporizhzhya site and that the continuing Russian bombing of Ukraine's energy infrastructure increases the risk of a nuclear accident every day.
At the Board of Governors meeting in March 2023, IAEA Director General R. Grossi once again emphasized how dangerous the situation is at the Zaporizhzhya site and that the continuing Russian bombing of Ukraine's energy infrastructure increases the risk of a nuclear accident every day.
Face with of this situation, the European Union and its member states have reaffirmed the great importance they attach to nuclear safety and to its continuous improvement and reinforcement. The European Union also stresses that the seizure and militarization of the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant by Russia is the cause of the current threats in the field of nuclear safety and security.
Like several of its partners in Sweden, Finland, the United Kingdom, and the United States, IRSN reaffirms the importance of preserving the safety of nuclear facilities in Ukraine. In particular, the guarantee of a stable power supply to the facilities is an essential element of this safety.
DOE/NNSA (USA)
One year ago, Russia forcibly seized the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine, a flagrant danger to nuclear safety. Russia needs to show the world it can once again be responsible nuclear power supplier to the global energy sector.
https://twitter.com/nnsahruby/status/1632024179665977347?s=46&t=7Ux8IB8pshNxNEQ-NlO7Fg
DOE (USA)
"Nations around the world are now moving to break their overreliance on Russian fossil energy. Russia has repeatedly demonstrated that it is not a responsible nuclear power... It must face consequences for those actions."
https://twitter.com/ENERGY/status/1635993502776434690?cxt=HHwWhICxvYjbm7QtAAAA
VTT (Finland)
https://www.vttresearch.com/en/news-and-ideas/vtt-looking-ukrainian-trainees-part-scienceforukraine-initiative (14 juillet 2022)
VTT, Technical Research Centre of Finland, is taking part in the #ScienceForUkraine initiative by offering three trainee spots to Ukrainians. The paid trainee program starts in autumn 2022, and VTT will cover the cost of housing. The international #ScienceForUkraine initiative collects information on job opportunities offered to Ukrainian nationals by universities and research centers around the world. Several organizations in Finland are also taking part in the initiative.
War causes extensive human suffering and the need for help is increasing in Ukraine. The crisis affects also the 7.5 million children of Ukraine. VTT does its part in helping families and children by donating EUR 50,000 to Unicef. Unicef is already operating in the crisis area and with the help from the donations, will be able to expand the operation.
LEI (Lithuanie)
https://www.lei.lt/en/lithuanian-energy-institute-supports-ukraine (Mars 2022)
Today, Ukraine is suffering from brutal, open and large-scale war and aggression by the Russian Federation. The Lithuanian Energy Institute (LEI) condemns actions of the aggressor.
The community of the Lithuanian Energy Institute admires the unity and heroism of the Ukrainian people in defending their country, its independence and democracy. "The Institute expresses support and encouragement to Ukraine and its people. LEI cooperates and is ready to expand cooperation with Ukrainian scientific institutions. Currently, 3 Ukrainian citizens are studying and conducting research at the Lithuanian Energy Institute. The institute is ready to accept more Ukrainian students and researchers and provide them with support during these difficult times. We are together with the people of Ukraine" – says Sigitas Rimkevičius, Director of LEI.
https://www.lei.lt/en/lithuanian-energy-institute-participates-in-the-initiative-scienceforukraine/
Jacobs (UK)
https://www.jacobs.com/newsroom/news/jacobs-stands-firmly-people-ukraine (4 Mars 2022)
We are deeply concerned about the terrible situation unfolding in Ukraine and we stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine as they defend their independence.
Our immediate concern is for the safety and wellbeing of our colleagues and their families in Ukraine, and for our employees in other countries, including Poland, who have families affected. We are in daily contact with our impacted colleagues and doing all we can to offer them support and guidance, including helping those able to leave Ukraine.
We are immensely proud that our Jacobs employees are helping across the world in so many ways, particularly at the Ukraine border, where they are welcoming the people of Ukraine into their homes. We are staying close to the situation and, are looking at ways to facilitate employment at Jacobs for people displaced by the crisis.
Jacobs has no operations, offices or real estate in either Russia or Belarus. We are working across the globe as quickly as possible to identify any relationships with Russian-controlled entities or those with a material investment from a Russian-controlled organization. We believe such work is extremely limited, and if discovered, will immediately initiate termination of any relationships that we find.
Jacobs joins the call for an immediate end to the unprovoked aggressions against Ukraine and its people, and a peaceful conclusion to these shocking and tragic events.
SSM (Suède)
Joint statements on the situation in Ukraine
Sweden and SSM stand behind joint statements by INRA, the European Union and ENSREG on the situation in Ukraine. We are gravely concerned about the situation and the potential serious impacts on the safety and security of Ukraine's nuclear power plants, especially the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant. We strongly endorse the importance of the fundamental Seven Pillars of Nuclear Safety and Security as outlined by IAEA. We continue to offer our steadfast support to the Ukrainian nuclear regulator and commend all of its efforts to keep nuclear facilities in Ukraine safe and secure. We condemn in the strongest possible terms the Russian Federation's unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine and appeal for maximum restraint, to avoid any action, which may put Ukraine's nuclear facilities at risk.
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Statement of the ETSON board on the renewed interest and initiatives in nuclear energy
Introduction
In view of the renewed interest and initiatives in nuclear energy in numerous countries in Europe and around the world, the members of the European Technical Safety Organisations Network (ETSON) – a grouping of 17 EU TSOs and their associated members in Japan, Ukraine and the United Kingdom – have started a network-wide reflection on its future strategy.
In view of the renewed interest and initiatives in nuclear energy in numerous countries in Europe and around the world, the members of the European Technical Safety Organisations Network (ETSON) – a grouping of 17 EU TSOs and their associated members in Japan, Ukraine and the United Kingdom – have started a network-wide reflection on its future strategy. The principles that will guide are:
- We firmly believe that maintaining and developing the highest level of nuclear safety in current and new projects, as well as efficient, reliable and trusted nuclear safety systems and organisations is of paramount importance. To this endeavor, TSOs actively contribute to the reliability of the global system through the technical safety expertise they provide to Regulators and National Authorities.
- As per the requirements of the IAEA, all regulatory functions should be performed based on technical and scientific work independently performed. The maintenance of expertise supporting the RB’s functions and the arrangements between the RB and its support organisations are identified as key pillars of the framework for safety and under the direct responsibility of the governement The availability of and access to dedicated safety research for maintaining and developing further technical expertise is underlined. To this end, ETSON members believe that safety research and the provision of safety-related expertise have to be strongly connected to allow for their mutual advancement.
- Furthermore, TSOs and the independent science based expertise they provide for, can actively and efficiently contribute to the dialogue with the Public on all nuclear energy related topics, which has been highlighted as a top priority at the recent IAEA Regulatory Conference from February 13th to 15th in Abu Dhabi and will be further developed during the coming IAEA TSO Conference to take place in 2024, which will allow for in depth discussions on safety expertise and research, with all stakeholder
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Towards a better use of ionizing radiation in the fight against cancer
Introduction
On February 2, 2023, IRSN is organizing a day of exchanges, involving national, European and international participants at the Irène and Frédéric Joliot-Curie House in Brussels (Belgium), on the contribution of research to the safe and optimized use of ionizing radiation in the fight against cancer.
A few days before World Cancer Day, IRSN, in partnership with CEA, INSERM and CNRS, wanted to bring together the main national, European and international stakeholders who contribute to the fight against cancer by using ionizing radiation for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, such as radiotherapy or the use of radiopharmaceuticals. The essential contribution of these techniques is no longer in question, as shown by the steady increase in the life expectancy of patients.
This day brings together health professionals (radiation oncologists, radiologists, medical physicists), and experts from the academic world as well as representatives from the European Commission or international organizations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency or the World Health Organization.
The presentations and round table discussions will provide an opportunity to exchange ideas on optimizing practices and individualizing treatments in order to better control and anticipate the risks associated with the use of ionizing radiation. These exchanges are all the more important in a context of emerging innovative approaches to diagnosis and treatment, such as the use of artificial intelligence in medicine or massive data processing.
The objective of this event is to identify and discuss the major issues, in terms of research, related to the safe and optimized use of ionizing radiation in the fight against cancer, and to contribute, for all the stakeholders, to a better coordination of the initiatives that are carried out at the French, European and international levels.
IRSN contributes, at national and European level, to the fight against cancer
Technological advances and changes in protocols developments in the fields of imaging, radiotherapy and nuclear medicine are very rapid. Regularly assessing the risks associated with these developments with regard to the therapeutic benefits is at the heart of the missions of the Institute for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety. The optimization of practices using ionizing radiation is also a constant objective of the Institute.
To fulfil its missions in these fields, IRSN carries out expert assessments for health authorities and, more generally, for public authorities, and also monitors the exposure of patients, medical personnel and the public.
In support of these assessments and monitoring activities, and in order to be at the forefront of knowledge, the Institute conducts research programs in collaboration with hospital teams and national, European and international partners.
In this sense, since June 2022, IRSN has been coordinating the European PIANOFORTE partnership for research in radiation protection. Part of the work of PIANOFORTE is based on the European priority policy for the fight against cancer, and relies on different European initiatives or projects such as SAMIRA (Strategic Agenda for Medical Ionising Radiation Applications) or Rocc-n-Roll aiming at defining research priorities for medical radiation protection.
At the national level, IRSN's actions are also part of the ten-year cancer control strategy led by INCa. These research activities are focused on optimizing practices, such as the development of modern approaches to dose calculation. The ultimate goal is to personalize treatment and limit side effects in order to improve patients' quality of life after treatment. To contribute to this objective, IRSN has entered into partnerships with hospitals such as Gustave Roussy (project PiRaTT) and AP-HP hospitals (project Epibrainrad and project Radioaide), as well as with academic institutions.
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