LES ACTIVITÉS NUCLÉAIRES : RAYONNEMENTS IONISANTS ET RISQUES POUR LA SANTÉ ET L’ENVIRONNEMENT 3 – Implementation of a framework of incremental technical exchanges with ASNR In order to optimise preparations for any creation authorisation applications for these innovative reactor projects, and in order to mobilise resources proportionate to the level of maturity of each project, a four-phase framework of incremental technical exchanges was set up. PHASE 1 Prospective follow-up During an initial meeting, the project developer is asked to present the following to ASNR: ∙the main characteristics of its reactor project (technology, power, form of energy output, front and back ends of the “fuel cycle”, etc.), ∙the state of progress of the reactor design and its safety case, ∙the development schedule of its project, ∙the current technical and financial capacity of the company developing the project, along with its growth plan (calls for funds and staffing). At the end of this prospective contact, ASNR assesses the maturity of the project as a whole, with regard to the following three elements: ∙Minimum technical project maturity: the project developer has an initial complete and stabilised conceptual design of its project. ∙The project developer’s ability to engage in technical discussions: the project developer has a sufficient in-house technical team to be able to carry out technical exchanges with ASNR on all the technical topics associated with the safety case of its reactor. ∙Minimum financial sustainability of the project developer: the company developing the project has sufficient financial guarantees for medium-term development. If the overall maturity of the project does not appear sufficient to initiate a preparatory review, the project developer is asked to continue with development before contacting ASNR again. PHASE 2 Project preparatory review Once project maturity is considered to be sufficient with respect to the three above-mentioned criteria, a cycle of thematic technical meetings is scheduled. This aim of this cycle of meetings is to enable ASNR to obtain a clear overview of the project, through presentations and technical dialogue, to understand the design choices, to take stock of the state of knowledge available or to be acquired, and to understand the main safety guidelines the project developer intends to follow in order to establish and justify its safety case. A summary seminar may be organised to close this cycle of meetings. This phase is simply an exchange of information in preparation for future assessments. No opinion or decision is expressed on the project at this stage by ASNR. PHASE 3 Pre-licensing of the fundamental safety options of the project Before finalising the detailed design of its reactor, the project developer then has the option of applying to ASNR, under Article R. 593-14 of the Environmental Code, for an official and public opinion on some of the structural elements of its project prior to initiating the process to obtain a creation authorisation decree. With regard to these innovative reactor projects, ASNR recommends that the project developers take advantage of this pre-licensing step. This step enables initial technical assessments to be started and enables the positions of the regulator to be obtained on a jointly agreed list of identified high-stakes subjects highlighted during the preparatory review phase. PHASE 4 Licensing of the creation authorisation application Finally, once the detailed design of the reactor project is ready, submission of a creation authorisation application can be envisaged. This phase represents a new step in the increasing commitment of resources by ASNR. Following the complete technical evaluation of the project, there will also be an evaluation of the characteristics of the planned site and a programme of inspections of the applicant, who acquires the de facto status of licensee, notably with the aim of checking its management system and its ability to manage subcontracting. * The information in this table is dated 1 March 2026, but may have changed since then. For the latest news on this subject, please refer to the page dedicated to SMRs on ASNR’s website. Company Prospective follow-up Preparatory Review Pre-licensing (safety options) Authorisation application licensing Nuward ● Calogena ● Otrera ● Hexana ● Jimmy ● Blue Capsule ● Newcleo ● Stellaria ● Thorizon ● TABLE 2 Status of technical exchanges between SMR project developers and ASNR on 1 March 2026(*) 314 ASNR Report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2025
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