Speaker
Mr
Jacques Repussard
(Institut de radioprotection et de sûreté nucléaire (IRSN))
Description
As a follow up to the conclusions of the first Conference held in France, the second TSO Conference in Tokyo in 2010 sought to achieve such objectives as: to develop a common understanding of the responsibilities, needs and opportunities of TSOs; to promote International Cooperation and Networking between TSOs; to foster capacity building and the work of TSOs in countries embarking in nuclear program, or in those with limited as well as extensive experience.
To address those issues, the Tokyo Conference recognized the importance for the global safety community to maintain and continuously develop TSO functions, which should be adequately recognized in national regulatory systems. In this context, it was highlighted that TSOs have to rely on the following sources and capabilities: adequate human and financial resources; scientific risk-oriented research; relevant operating experience analysis; capacity building, professional educational and training courses; knowledge management.
Those elements still remain keys in ensuring nuclear safety on sound scientific bases. However, six months after the second Conference, the Fukushima accident in March 2011 brought further challenges and generated a global mobilization to enhance safety and radiation protection worldwide. Many new initiatives have emerged, such as the IAEA Action Plan on Nuclear Safety, worldwide stress tests, enhanced legislation and regulation, notably in Europe. Lessons learned also pointed out to the key importance of emergency preparedness and response and of improved communication to the public. Experience showed that all those aspects rely largely on scientific and technical support and highlighted further the critical importance of TSO functions.
Moreover, further to the recommendations of the Conference in Tokyo, the ‘TSO Forum’ was established, with a view to cooperating more effectively and on a regular basis, addressing common challenges and sharing experiences with respect to nuclear safety and security. In addition, synergies between nuclear safety and security were developed, following the principles set out by the IAEA.
Four years after the Tokyo Conference, substantial progress has been achieved on many of its recommendations as well as on other challenges.
Nevertheless, the implementation of several recommendations still needs efforts, for instance with respect to the development of IAEA documents to define a framework and provide sufficient guidance on the roles and functions of TSOs in ensuring nuclear safety, including its interface with nuclear security, or regarding the implementation of the necessary capability building process in embarking countries to develop required TSO functions, in particular through knowledge and experience transfer by the international community.
The paper will elaborate on progress achieved and remaining challenges, illustrating the analysis with concrete examples taken from different countries and from Europe as an entity with its specific regional nuclear safety approach.
| Country or International Organisation | France |
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Primary author
Mr
Jacques Repussard
(Institut de radioprotection et de sûreté nucléaire (IRSN))
