ASNR also ensures the labour inspection duties on the Flamanville EPR reactor. In 2025, ASNR mainly monitored companies’ compliance with labour law provisions relating to safety on the sites. This year also provided an opportunity to examine the conditions under which workers could intervene inside the chamber while the reactor core was loaded (“two-rooms” system). ASNR considers that the risk prevention organisation is broadly appropriate, and the results are in line with those for the fleet in operation. Manche waste repository The Manche waste repository (CSM), which was commissioned in 1969, was the first radioactive waste repository operated in France. 527,225 m3 of waste packages are emplaced in it. The last waste packages to enter this facility were accepted in July 1994. From the regulatory aspect, the CSM is in the decommissioning phase (operations prior to its closure) until the installation of the long-term cover is completed. An ASNR resolution shall specify the date of closure of the repository (entry into monitoring and surveillance phase) and the minimum duration of the monitoring and surveillance phase. On 29 April 2024, after completing its assessment of the periodic safety review report submitted by Andra in 2019, ASN authorised the continued operation of the repository. It has nevertheless issued requirements aiming to continue the studies on the behaviour of the existing cover and the long-term cover, and on the preservation of the site memory. One requirement also concerns the continuation of the studies into the retrieval of packages containing long-lived radionuclides. Furthermore, for the year 2025, ASNR considers that the organisation defined and implemented for the operation of the CSM facilities is generally satisfactory in terms of safety, radiation protection and environmental monitoring. However, the licensee will have to finalise the consistency of the baseline safety requirements as part of the periodic safety review of the installation, and more specifically re-examine the organisation implemented to ensure compliance with the fire risk control provisions. National Large Heavy Ion Accelerator The National Large Heavy Ion Accelerator (Ganil) economic interest group was authorised in 1980 to create an ion accelerator in Caen (BNI 113). This research facility produces, accelerates and distributes ion beams in testing rooms with various energy levels to study the structure of the atom. The high-energy beams produce strong fields of ionising radiation, activating the materials in contact, which then emit radiation even after the beams have stopped. Irradiation thus constitutes the main risk created by Ganil. Following its authorisation by the Decree of 7 March 2025, the “DESIR” project, which stands for “Disintegration, Excitation and Storage of Radioactive Ions”, is currently being carried out on the site. Its primary function will be to create new experimental areas using radioactive ion beams from existing facilities. Its commissioning is subject to authorisation from ASNR. Examination of the second periodic safety review of the facility is also in progress in 2025. Following the submission of the report concluding the second periodic safety review on 18 May 2021 and the additions made by Ganil, the review inspection on 20 December 2023 and the responses provided, the conclusions of this review were issued on 12 June 2025. ASNR has authorised continued operation of the facilities. However, ASNR has asked Ganil to strengthen its policy for taking account of human and organisational factors. ASNR considers that Ganil’s management of nuclear safety and radiation protection is generally satisfactory. The inspections carried out by ASNR in 2025 focused on the management of maintenance and pressure equipment. Although maintenance management is satisfactory and Ganil has an effective organisation for monitoring pressure equipment in service, the application of certain aspects of the regulations concerning this equipment needs to be improved. In 2024, the licensee presented a modification to its organisation, which was authorised by ASNR in 2025 and should be effective at the beginning of 2026. ASNR will be attentive to ensuring that the nuclear safety and radiation protection risks are duly taken into account when it is implemented. Normandie 74 ABSTRACTS – ASNR Report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2025
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