The European Union launches the kick-off event of a new project: Supporting capacity building of Radiation Protection Center on the field of Radioactive Waste Management

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Introduction
The European Union launches the kick-off event of a new project: Supporting capacity building of Radiation Protection Center on the field of Radioactive Waste Management.
kick-off event of the new project: Supporting capacity building of Radiation Protection Center on the field of Radioactive Waste Management

The European Union launches the kick-off event of a new project: Supporting capacity building of Radiation Protection Center on the field of Radioactive Waste Management. 

As part of the Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation (INSC) implemented by the European Commission (EC), the project “Support to the Regulatory Body of Iraq on Radioactive Waste Management, Decommissioning of Nuclear Facilities and Remediation of Contaminated Sites”, was successfully implemented from February 2016 to February 2020 by a consortium led by the National French Agency for Radioactive Waste Management (Andra).

The direct recipient of the new project is the Iraqi Regulatory Body, the Radiation Protection Centre (RPC) within the Iraqi Ministry of Environment (MoEN), beneficiary of the project. The aim of the project is for the RPC to achieve a level of efficiency in line with international standards set by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and consistent with the best practices of the European Union.

Following the satisfactory results obtained, a second phase of the project is launched. The consortium is led by Expertise France and includes both Andra and the French Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN). The 3-year-long second phase kick- started in Tunisia on November 23rd and 24th, 2022, with participants from the beneficiary, the consortium and the EC discussing and setting the project roadmap.

With a total budget of EUR 1, 86 million, this second phase mainly consists in training activities and technical visits 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.

 

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 the facilities nuclear affected areas, 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:

  • Mr. Xavier Pinsolle, European Commission Project Manager - Nuclear Safety Cooperation Instrument Sector, Directorate-General for International Partnerships
  • Mrs. Aurélie Noël, Project Manager for Expertise France
  • Dr. Sabah, Iraqi Ministry of Environment, Radiation Protection Center, Director General
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Nuclear safety

IAEA General Conference: IRSN highlights participatory medicine

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Introduction
Jean-Christophe Niel, Director General of IRSN, participates at the 66th edition of the IAEA General Conference from September 26 to 30, 2022 in Vienna (Austria).

Each year, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) organizes its General Conference bringing together representatives of Member States. This general conference is an opportunity for Member States to share information on their national nuclear programs and various current issues, particularly in the scientific field. This 66th edition takes place from September 26 to 30, 2022 in Vienna (Austria). Jean-Christophe Niel, Director General of IRSN, will meet some of his counterparts in other delegations and will discusse future collaborations in terms of safety and radiation protection.

IAEA General Conference 09-2022

On the sidelines of the General Conference, the IAEA organizes its scientific forum : the theme of this year is the fight against cancer. Through his participation in this forum, Jean-Christophe Niel emphasized participatory medicine with the involvement of patients in their treatment. He also highlighted the issues around the perception of risk and communication to compare benefits and disadvantages, as well as the equality of patients in the face of the risks associated with cancer treatments. Finally, within the framework of the IAEA's Rays of Hope initiative, Jean-Christophe Niel presents the joint will of the IRSN and the IAEA to unite their efforts in the field of the fight against cancer through the establishment of a Collaborating Center.

IAEA General Conference 09-2022 - JC Niel

During the week, IRSN also organizes a side event, centered on research platforms. The latter reviews the contribution of technical and experimental platforms and research data to strengthening nuclear safety. He stresses the need to secure their future as nuclear programs are relaunched in many countries. Each organization involved in a collaborative research project developed on these platforms has access to all research results faster and also to shared costs. These platforms are also an essential training tool for the younger generation and allow the development of a community of qualified experts.

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Delegation from the National University of Singapore (NUS)/Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Initiative (SNRSI) visited IRSN's safety and radiation protection research facilities

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A delegation from the National University of Singapore (NUS)/Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Initiative (SNRSI) visited IRSN's safety and radiation protection research facilities at Cadarache on September 19 and 20, 2022.

A delegation from the National University of Singapore (NUS)/Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Initiative (SNRSI) led by Professor Pao Chuen LUI, Chairman of SNRSI and SNRSI Director Keng Yeow CHUNG and from the Energy Market Authority led by Director Darryl Kah Inn CHAN visited IRSN's safety and radiation protection research facilities at Cadarache on September 19 and 20, 2022.

The facilities visited were the following: 

  • AMANDE​,
  • MIRCOM, 
  • CABRI model, 
  • THEMA, 
  • CHROMIA, 
  • MAESTRO, 
  • ODE, 
  • GALAX​IE.

The dele​​gation continued this visit to IRSN Headquarters at Fontenay-aux-Roses on September 23, with a presentation of the research and expertise conducted on atmospheric dispersion models, followed by a presentation of crisis management and the technical Crisis Center.

A final debriefing meeting led by the Director General of IRSN Jean-Christophe NIEL concluded this visit.

Visit of IRSN by a delegation from the National University of Singapore (NUS)/Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Initiative (SNRSI)
Visit of IRSN by a delegation from the National University of Singapore (NUS)/Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Initiative (SNRSI)
Visit of IRSN by a delegation from the National University of Singapore (NUS)/Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Initiative (SNRSI)
Visit of IRSN by a delegation from the National University of Singapore (NUS)/Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Initiative (SNRSI)
Visit of IRSN by a delegation from the National University of Singapore (NUS)/Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Initiative (SNRSI)
Visit of IRSN by a delegation from the National University of Singapore (NUS)/Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Initiative (SNRSI)
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Nuclear safety
Institutional

IRSN and CNSC signed an Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation and exchange of information on nuclear safety

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Introduction
On September 1st, 2022, in Ottawa, Canada, the Director General of IRSN, Jean-Christophe Niel, met the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, Rumina Velshi.
IRSN and CNSC signed an Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation and exchange of information on nuclear safety

On September 1st, 2022, in Ottawa, Canada, the Director General of IRSN, Jean-Christophe Niel, and the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, Rumina Velshi, and their respective teams had discussions focused on safety issues, particularly in terms of regulatory harmonization and standardization, related to the development of SMRs / AMRs. This meeting was an opportunity for the CNSC and IRSN to share information and have a technical exchange discussion between the two organizations. 

Ms Velshi indicated that, in her capacity as Chair of the IAEA's Commission on Safety Standards, she was working actively to ensure that the Agency's safety standards could be applied effectively to new reactor technologies.

Finally, R. Velshi took the initiative of mentioning the role of TSOs in the harmonisation efforts currently being pursued by many actors around the world in the field of SMRs / AMRs. She hoped that TSOs could make technical contributions to these efforts. The Director General of IRSN replied that IRSN and the European TSO network, ETSON, were considering a "bottom-up" technical harmonization (sharing of a "TSO capability", adaptability of technical information, sharing of technical assessment), which could be part of the global effort to harmonize and coordinate regulations.

Finally, J-C Niel presented to the CNSC the IRSN PASTIS project for research on the safety of passive systems used by SMRs.

This meeting at the CNSC also provided an opportunity to review, with the operational teams and technical experts, all the cooperation between​​ the CNSC and IRSN: research for deep geological repositories (TENOR), modelling and simulation of radioactive substances in the environment/Ukraine, severe accidents, and health of nuclear workers.

The exchanges with the CNSC were concluded by the signing, at the French Embassy, in the presence of the Minister Counsellor, Chargé d’Affaires, the President and CEO of the CNSC  and the Director General, an Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation and exchange of information on nuclear safety between the CNSC and the IRSN.

Finally, the visit to Canada provided an opportunity to meet Ontario Power Generation, which is planning to build an SMR on the Darlington site, and Terrestrial Energy, which is developing an innovative SMR model”.

IRSN and CNSC signed an Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation and exchange of information on nuclear safety
IRSN and CNSC signed an Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation and exchange of information on nuclear safety
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Nuclear safety
Institutional

IRSN designated as a WHO “Collaborating Center” once again

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Following a visit from a World Health Organization (WHO) delegation end of 2021, IRSN has been reappointed as a collaborating center for its fourth four-year term.

Following a visit from a World Health Organization (WHO) delegation end of 2021, IRSN has been reappointed as a collaborating center for its fourth four-year term.

Under its activities, WHO calls on some 800 collaborating centers in 80 member states to support its wo​rk in a multitude of health-related fields that includes epidemics and pandemics, nutrition, infectious and non-communicable diseases, and preparedness, surveillance and response in health emergencies. 

IRSN has been appointed four times to a four-year term as a collaborating center in this final field – first in 2010, then again in 2014, 2018 and 2022.

The Institute helps WHO to develop standards, draw up research agendas, provide technical support during radiological or nuclear emergencies, and share knowledge related to the medical/health consequences of radiological and nuclear risks. Four priority areas have been determined:

  • strengthening preparedness and response to radiation emergencies;
  • providing technical support in the area of mental health and psychosocial support in radiation emergencies;
  • providing technical support in the area of radiation protection in medical applications of ionizing radiation;
  • providing technical support in the area of existing radiation exposures.

The renewal of its status as a collaborating center reflects recognition of the Institute’s scientific and technical work. 

Through WHO, IRSN also has the opportunity to share its proposals and recommendations in the field of health research with its counterparts – as well as their own recommendations – on a much wider international scale. ​

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Launch of the "PIANOFORTE" European partnership: research and education for radiation protection

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Launched on June 14, 2022 in Paris, the PIANOFORTE research partnership has the ambition to improve knowledge and promote innovation in the field of radiation protection for the benefit of better protection of the public, patients, workers and the environment in all scenarios of exposure to ionizing radiation.

Launched on June 14, 2022 in Paris, the PIANOFORTE research partnership has the ambition to improve knowledge and promote innovation in the field of radiation protection for the benefit of better protection of the public, patients, workers and the environment in all scenarios of exposure to ionizing radiation.

The European Partnership for Radiation Protection Research will contribute to improving the protection of the public, workers, patients and the environment from environmental, occupational and medical exposure to ionizing radiation. It brings together 58 partners representing 22 European Union countries as well as the United Kingdom and Norway, and is coordinated by the French Institute for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN). It is co-financed by the European Union's EURATOM program and the Member States of the participating countries. Through the research activities that will be carried out within its framework, PIANOFORTE will contribute to the implementation of European policies such as the European plan to combat cancer, the green pact for growth, and the implementation of the roadmap for reducing industrial and natural risks.
 
Through the scientific challenges it will address, this partnership aims to contribute to priority European policies such as the fight against cancer (European Cancer Action Plan), the protection of health from environmental risks (Green Pact for Growth) and finally the improvement of anticipation and resilience in disaster situations (implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction).

Within this partnership, at least three calls for proposals, open to the entire European research community for radiation protection, will be organized between 2023 and 2025. They will focus on the following four themes:

  • improving patient radiation protection in relation to the use of ionizing radiation in the medical field
  • a better comprehension of variability of individual response to exposure to ionizing radiation
  • the study of mechanisms involved in chronic exposure to low doses of ionizing radiation
  • the improvement of anticipation capacities and resilience in nuclear or radiological crisis situations and post-accident management.

Particular attention will be paid to the involvement of all stakeholders (authorities, civil society, radiation protection practitioners, experts, etc.) in the priority setting of the scientific topics that will be the subject of calls for tender and with respect to the question of translating this research into actual impact for strengthened radiation protection. The objective is to meet and integrate the expectations of the wide set of radiation protection stakeholders as best as possible. This partnership also specifically aims to build bridges with research activities carried out at European level in the "non-Euratom" fields, in particular in the health sector.

Beyond these research activities, PIANOFORTE will contribute to maintaining a sustainable capacity of expertise in radiation protection in Europe, which is internationally recognized, in particular by promoting the availability, use and sharing of existing state-of-the-art research infrastructures at the European level as well as by implementing education and training activities.

The partnership will build on previous work, and in particular on the results of the European joint program CONCERT conducted under the H2020 framework program which ended in 2020. It will also benefit from the achievements of other European projects just completed or in progress such as MEDIRAD, HARMONIC, RadoNorm or SINFONIA.

To date, PIANOFORTE involves 58 partners from 22 EU countries as well as the UK and Norway. It mobilizes public partners (public research organizations, authorities in the field of radiation protection, universities) but also the six European research platforms in radiation protection (MELODI, EURADOS, EURAMED, NERIS, ALLIANCE and SHARE). This initial consortium is expected to expand with the entities that will be selected in the framework of the open calls for tenders organized during the partnership.

The partnership will last 5 years and is expected to end in 2027. The estimated budget for PIANOFORTE is 46 million euros, 65% of which will be financed by the European Union and the rest by the partner countries. IRSN is the coordinator of the partnership.

 

Download the press release

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Research

Continuation of the fruitful collaboration between IRSN and its Slovakian partner VUEZ

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Introduction
VUEZ and IRSN have been collaborating for 20 years on one aspect of long-term cooling of a nuclear reactor during an accident situation, specifically the efficiency of the sumps, the ultimate means for protecting the core in these situations.​​
Continuation of the fruitful collaboration between IRSN and its Slovakian partner VUEZ
Continuation of the fruitful collaboration between IRSN and its Slovakian partner VUEZ

VUEZ and IRSN have been collaborating for 20 years on one aspect of long-term cooling of a nuclear reactor during an accident situation, specifically the efficiency of the sumps, the ultimate means for protecting the core in these situations.

VUEZ and IRSN have built several experimental systems to study the efficiency of filters protecting these sumps from the risk of clogging with all kinds of debris (fibres, paint, concrete dust, adhesive, etc.) that may fall into the sumps. The Viktoria facility, the most recent, developed as part of the partnership between VUEZ and IRSN, turned ten years old in December 2021.

The meeting between VUEZ and IRSN, on 13 April 2022 at the Viktoria site, was an opportunity to review ten years of collaboration and to exchange information on experimental programmes for studying various filter models used for 900 MWe French reactors and for the EPR. The programmes will continue in 2022 and 2023 to test the filters 1300 MWe reactors. In the longer term, the possibilities of building an international programme around Viktoria, which would also enable VUEZ and IRSN to perform services for foreign industry players, were also discussed.

The VUEZ and IRSN teams, led by Cyril Svolik, Chairman of the VUEZ Board, and Jean-Christophe Niel, Director General of IRSN, hosted the French Ambassador in Slovakia, His Excellency Pascal Le Deunff, who wanted to visit this facility to affirm, once again, France’s commitment to continued collaboration with Slovakia in the nuclear field.

This visit to Viktoria was also an opportunity for Jean-Christophe Niel to meet VUJE (our TSO counterpart), UJD (the nuclear safety authority) and the Slovakian Secretary of State for Energy (M. K Galek).

With the Secretary of State and the Director of the Nuclear Safety Authority, Mrs. M. Ziakova, in the presence of the French Ambassador, Jean-Christophe Niel was able to discuss current issues related to the state of Ukrainian nuclear facilities, in the context of the Russian invasion, and what consequences this situation may have for EU countries. The discussions with the President of the Nuclear Safety Authority also dealt with the importance, for nuclear countries, of preserving dedicated nuclear safety research tools, necessary for maintaining high-quality nuclear safety expertise, which is indispensable for the work of nuclear safety authorities and for protecting the environment and the public.

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Nuclear safety
Institutional

Jean-Christophe Niel renewed as Director General of IRSN

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The President of the French Republic had proposed on March 3, 2021, Jean-Christophe Niel to be renewed at the head of the French Institute of Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN).
Jean-Christophe NIEL

The President of the French Republic had proposed on March 3, 2021, Jean-Christophe Niel to be renewed at the head of the French Institute of Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN).

Jean-Christophe Niel mandate at the head of IRSN was renewed for five years by the President of the French Republic by a decree of 21 April published in the Official Journal of 22 April 2021.

In accordance with Article 13 of the French Constitution, the appointment follows favorable opinions of the commissions of management of the territory and sustainable development of the French National Assembly and the Senate, following the parliamentary hearings on April 6 and 7.

On this occasion, Jean-Christophe Niel expressed: "I am grateful for this renewed confidence. I have been fully committed to nuclear safety and radiation protection for nearly 30 years and I would particularly like to express my deep attachment to the men and women of the Institute, who embody the excellence of public expertise in radiological and nuclear risks".

Born in 1961, graduate of Ecole Polytechnique (class of 1980) and Doctor of Physics from Paris VI University, engineer of the Corps of Bridges, Waters and Forest, Jean-Christophe Niel held various positions in the field of control of nuclear safety and radiation protection at IRSN and ASN. From 2007 to 2016, Jean-Christophe Niel, in particular, served as Director General of the French Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN), before being the Director General of IRSN in April 2016.

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Karine Herviou appointed deputy director general of IRSN in charge of the nuclear safety division (PSN)

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Karine Herviou succeeds Thierry Charles, who is retiring from IRSN. 
Karine HERVIOU

Karine Herviou succeeds Thierry Charles, who is retiring from IRSN. 

Karine Herviou, 53, has served as Director of Systems, New Reactors and Safety Initiatives in the Nuclear Safety Division (PSN) of the French Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN) since 2017.

Trained as a nuclear engineer at the French National Institute for Nuclear Science and Technology (INSTN), Herviou joined IRSN in 1991 and has held several positions as a nuclear safety expert in nuclear reactor design, accident operation of reactors and emergency preparedness and management. During her professional career, she coordinated the Flamanville 3 EPR safety assessment activities as project manager. She also oversaw the evaluation of the complementary safety assessments conducted in France following the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. 

In addition to the appointment of Karine Herviou to IRSN's Nuclear Safety Division, Igor Le Bars, previously in charge of assessment activities in laboratories, fuel cycle plants, facilities undergoing dismantling and radioactive material transport, has been appointed director of safety assessment for the division. Le Bars, 52, is a graduate of the Ecole Centrale de Lyon and joined IRSN in 1998. Olivier Dubois, 47, a civil engineer from the Paris School of Mines who has served as head of the Incident and Accident Control Department, has been appointed deputy director of safety assessment.

Jean-Christophe Niel, Director General of IRSN: “The transition and succession will be well assured with this team, which guarantees continuity and the highest level of excellence. I would like to warmly thank Thierry Charles for the expertise he has shared over the years and I salute his ​entire career and his unfailing commitment to IRSN and nuclear safety.”

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Nuclear safety
Institutional

Marie-France Bellin is appointed Chair of the Board of Directors at IRSN

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Recommended by the Ministre d'État, Minister for the Ecological and Inclusive Transition and Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, and further to a resolution issued by the Council of Ministers held on the 21st of November 2018, Marie-France Bellin, MD, PhD, Professor of Radiology, has been appointed Chair of the Board of Directors at the Institute of Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety.

Recommended by the Ministre d'État, Minister for the Ecological and Inclusive Transition and Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, and further to a resolution issued by the Council of Ministers held on the 21st of November 2018, Marie-France Bellin, MD, PhD, Professor of Radiology, has been appointed Chair of the Board of Directors at the Institute of Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety.

Marie-France Bellin was auditioned, Wednesday 14 November 2018, by the relevant parliamentary committees to fulfill the duties as IRSN Chair of the Board of Directors, after being proposed by the IRSN Board of Directors as a result of the meeting held on the 6th of September 2018.

After the departure of Dominique Le Guludec, former Chair of IRSN Board of Directors and appointed President of the College of the High Authority of Health on December 2017, the interim of this function was provided by Laurent Moché, the Finance Committee Chairman of the IRSN Board of Directors.

Born in 1955, Marie-France Bellin is the Head of the Imaging and Nuclear Medicine Division of the Paris Sud University Hospitals since 2011.

From 2000 till 2008, she was Head of the Radiology Department at Paul Brousse Hospital. In 2008, she became Head of the Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Department of the Paul Brousse Hospital but also of the Bicêtre Hospital.

She was Professor of University-Hospital Practitioner at CHU Pitié Salpêtrière from 1996 to 2000. Since 2000, she is Professor of Universities-Hospital Practitioner at the Faculty of Medicine Paris-Sud.

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