SMR deployment, is unrealistic given the specific context of each country. On the other hand, ASNR considers that joint review of the design options for a single project by several safety authorities, upstream of licensing processes, can facilitate project development. This is the case for the joint assessment by six European safety authorities, at the initiative of ASNR, of the NUWARD reactor project led by EDF. The conflict in Ukraine remains a source of concern and vigilance. Firstly, there are constant threats to all Ukrainian nuclear power plants, whether they are in operation, shut down (Zaporizhzhia) or being decommissioned (Chernobyl). As a result, ASNR continuously monitors radioactivity levels in Ukraine and neighbouring countries, and assesses the risks posed by Ukrainian facilities in the event of an accident resulting in radioactive releases. Secondly, at European level, ASNR is heavily involved in WENRA, HERCA and ENSREG initiatives to support the Ukrainian Safety Authority. Finally, at IAEA level, this conflict has considerable significance on a day-to-day basis, and makes multilateral discussions on many subjects challenging, as shown by the difficulties encountered in reaching an international consensus on the concluding document of the 8th Joint Convention review meeting. A POLICY OF DIALOGUE WITH STAKEHOLDERS ASNR attaches great importance to technical dialogue, consultation and engagement with all stakeholders within the scope of its research and expert assessment activities, and in preparing its decision-making activities. Following its creation on 1 January 2025, ASNR reaffirmed its commitment to this approach and launched a strategic review aimed at developing its “dialogue roadmap”. In addition to its own review, ASNR has asked the High Committee for Transparency and Information on Nuclear Safety (HCTISN) to submit recommendations in early 2026. Life extension of the nuclear fleet, new nuclear projects, continued operation of “fuel cycle” facilities, new back-end facilities, decommissioning, nuclear waste management, SMRs, new uses of ionising radiation for medical applications, the use of artificial intelligence in nuclear activities, and climate change are all areas where discussions with stakeholders are essential. In this particular area, it is important to address local issues; ASNR will rely on its network of regional divisions to achieve this. In 2026, ASNR will set up a Scientific Council. Collecting stakeholders’ expectations regarding research and maintaining regular exchanges with HCTISN will enable it to identify priority areas for dialogue. 1. Extravasation is the accidental passage of an intravenously injected product, in this case a radiopharmaceutical, into the surrounding subcutaneous tissue. RADIATION PROTECTION IN THE MEDICAL FIELD In 2025, the level of radiation protection in the medical field was satisfactory, but the persistence of weaknesses and the occurrence of significant radiation protection events reflecting a lack of radiation protection culture led to a more nuanced assessment. This sector continues to face significant resource and staffing constraints, in a context of increasing activities and growing complexity of working organisations, which may lead to a dilution of responsibilities. Insufficient understanding and uptake of radiation protection issues and inadequate resources dedicated to quality and risk management were noted during inspections or identified as contributing to the occurrence of significant radiation protection events. ASNR stresses that the increasing use of external services since 2023 for the functions of radiation protection advisor or medical physicist must not be to the detriment of in-house skills or the focus on radiation protection issues, at the risk of a lasting decline in radiation protection culture. The teleradiology study confirms the importance of human and organisational factors in risk management. In brachytherapy, maintaining the activity itself represents a major challenge due to a shortage of qualified professionals. In the field of fluoroscopy-guided interventional practices, although the situation is improving slightly in operating theatres, failings that compromise patient radiation protection, combined with inadequate management of medical physics, which is often outsourced, have led to enforcement actions. In radiotherapy, despite the profession’s growing awareness of the importance of maintaining a radiation protection culture, target errors remained at the same level as in previous years. With the increase in the number of patients receiving multiple radiotherapy treatments, these target errors can occur in the context of re-irradiation, which exposes patients to greater risks of secondary side-effects. In nuclear medicine, the development of targeted internal radiotherapy is a source of risks specific to unsealed sources, such as those linked to extravasation(1) or the management of radioactively contaminated waste. In its opinion on the 6th French National Radioactive Material and Waste Management Plan, ASNR stressed the importance of a specific reflection, as part of the public debate, on developments in the management of waste and effluent from medical activities. 4 ABSTRACTS – ASNR Report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2025
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