Feedback from the IAEA TranSAS appraisal mission in France

In 2002, France requested the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to organise a mission to assess its organisation for the control of transport of radioactive materials and its implementation of international regulations. The TranSAS (Transport Safety Appraisal Service) mission was conducted in 2004 by a team composed of thirteen independent experts. The scope of the appraisal was broad and covered all aspects of the implementation of regulations for the safe transport of radioactive materials. The main conclusion is that the implementation of the Transport Regulations is performed in accordance with IAEA requirements. Still, this mission issued three recommendations and sixteen suggestions. It led France to strengthen its control of non-competent authority approved. Moreover, the findings include twelve good practices that can serve as a model for other competent authorities, in particular in the area of maritime transport. This paper presents the French Nuclear Safety Authority’s feedback from this mission, in order to reach a high safety level in the field of transports.