LES ACTIVITÉS NUCLÉAIRES : RAYONNEMENTS IONISANTS ET RISQUES POUR LA SANTÉ ET L’ENVIRONNEMENT 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 potentially jeopardising 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 Authority for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection (ASNR) helps to manage these situations by carrying out the following tasks: • check the steps taken by the licensee and ensure that they are pertinent; • advise the authorities on measures to protect the population by assessing the nature and severity of the event, its evolution and possible developments, as well as the actual or potential radiological consequences of the situation; • take part in the dissemination of information to the population and media, and guarantee its reliability; • act as Competent Authority within the framework of the international Conventions on Early Notification and Assistance; • define the strategy for environmental and human measurements and deploy resources in the field to supplement those already available. In 2005, at the request of the Prime Minister, ASN (now ASNR since 1 January 2025) 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 situation, preparations can be made for the post-accident phase. This pluralistic Committee notably comprises experts, representatives of the State’s services, local elected officials, Local Information Committees (CLIs), associations, etc. In 2022, this Committee published its latest recommendations to the Government. These aim notably to integrate the lessons learned from the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (NPP – Japan) and from the national emergency exercises in the national strategy for post-accident management of the consequences of a nuclear accident. 178 ASNR Report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2025
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