ASN Report 2020

1. Anticipating Four main principles underpin the protection of the general public against Basic Nuclear Installation (BNI) risks: ∙ risk reduction at source, wherein the licensee must take all steps to reduce the risks to a level that is as low as reasonably achievable in acceptable economic conditions; ∙ the emergency and contingency plans, designed to prevent and mitigate the consequences of an accident; ∙ controlling urban development around BNIs; ∙ informing the general public. 1.1 Looking ahead and planning 1.1.1 The Basic Nuclear Installation emergency and contingency plans The emergency and contingency plans relative to accidents occurring at a BNI define the measures necessary to protect the site personnel, the general public and the environment, and to control the accident. a) Major Nuclear or Radiological Accident National Response Plan ASN took part in drafting the Major Nuclear or Radiological Accident National Response Plan (PNRANRM), which was published by the Government in February 2014. The Plan incorporates the lessons learned from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) accident and the post-accident doctrine drawn up by Codirpa in 2012. It specifies the national response to a nuclear accident, the strategy to be applied and the main actions to be taken. It includes the international nature of emergencies and the mutual assistance possibilities in the case of an event. Nuclear activities are carried out within a framework which aims to prevent accidents but also to mitigate their consequences. Despite all the precautions taken, an accident can never be completely ruled out and the necessary provisions for managing a radiological emergency situation must be planned for and regularly tested and revised. Radiological emergency situations, resulting from an incident or accident liable to lead to an emission of radioactive substances or to a level of radioactivity liable to compromise public health, include: ∙ emergency situations arising on Basic Nuclear Installations (BNIs); ∙ accidents involving the transport of radioactive substances; ∙ emergency situations occurring in the field of small-scale nuclear activities. Emergency situations affecting nuclear activities can also comprise non‑radiological risks, such as fire, explosion or the release of toxic substances. These emergency situations are covered by specific material and organisational arrangements, which include the contingency plans and involve both the licensee or party responsible for the activity and the public authorities. The French Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) is involved in managing these situations, with regard to questions concerning the regulation of nuclear safety and radiation protection and, backed more particularly by the expertise of its technical support organisation, the Institute for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN), it has the following four key duties: ∙ check the steps taken by the licensee and ensure that they are pertinent; ∙ advise the authorities on population protection measures; ∙ take part in the dissemination of information to the population and media; ∙ act as Competent Authority within the framework of the international Conventions on Early Notification and Assistance. In 2005, at the request of the Prime Minister, ASN also set up a Steering Committee for the Management of the Post-Accident Phase (Codirpa) so that, following on from the management of a radiological emergency, preparations can be made for the post‑accident phase. This Committee proposed aspects of doctrine to the Government for the emergency phase exit, transitional and long-term periods, published in November 2012. Since then, the Codirpa has been giving thought to new aspects of doctrine based notably on the lessons learned from the accident which struck the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in Japan in March 2011 and the national exercises carried out on this subject. This work has led to new proposals for the population protection zoning strategy, in order to set up a system that is simpler and more operational. Radiological emergency and post-accident situations 04 174 ASN Report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2020