Public information in France concerning the transport of radioactive materials

Year
2019
Author(s)
Bich Thuy Nguyen - IRSN (Radioprotection and Nuclear Safety Institute)
Benoit ECKERT - IRSN (Radioprotection and Nuclear Safety Institute)
Florence Gauthier - IRSN (Radioprotection and Nuclear Safety Institute)
Igor Le Bars - IRSN (Radioprotection and Nuclear Safety Institute)
Thierry Chrupek - ASN (Nuclear Safety Authority)
Anne-Cécile Jouve - IRSN (Radioprotection and Nuclear Safety Institute)
Karim Ben Oughrem - IRSN (Radioprotection and Nuclear Safety Institute)
File Attachment
a1206_1.pdf231.89 KB
Abstract
Nearly ten years after enacting the Act of 13th June 2006 relative to Transparency and Security in the Nuclear field (TSN Act), the Act of 17th August 2015 relative to Energy Transition for Green Growth (TECV Act) steps up and reinforces the legal provisions in terms of transparency and public information.The TECV Act explicitly sets out the role of ASN, French nuclear authority, and of IRSN, French public expert in the field of nuclear safety and radiation protection. Concerning the transport of radioactive materials, by the mean of websites and public meetings:•ASN and IRSN present general information about transport and the regulatory provisions. In addition, ASN publishes an annual report that presents the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France, which includes transport activities.•ASN includes public participation in the approval process for new package design or for renewal of certificate of compliance and later publishes theses certificates.•ASN publishes follow-up letters of the inspection.•ASN consults the public on the projects of guidelines and regulatory texts.•In case of an incident ranked at level 1 or more on the INES scale, ASN publishes an informative communication.•IRSN publishes all technical assessments performed for ASN on its website.•IRSN publishes every two years a technical review of all events involving a transport of radioactive materials.The TECV Act also promotes public participation by strengthening the role of Local Information Committees (CLI). In 2016, in cooperation with the national association of the Local information committees (ANCLI), IRSN organized a conference to exchange with public representatives and provide information about the transport of radioactive materials. During this conference, many subjects were discussed, including the regulatory context and package conceptions for the safe transport of radioactive materials, and also the preparedness and response for an emergency during the transport.