ITER The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor – ITER (BNI 174), under construction on the Cadarache site since 2010 and adjacent to the CEA facilities, will be a fusion experimental reactor used for the scientific and technical demonstration of the control of thermonuclear fusion energy obtained by magnetic containment of a deuterium-tritium plasma during long-duration experiments with a significant power level (500 MW developed for 400 seconds). This international project enjoys financial support from China, South Korea, the United States, India, Japan, Russia and the European Union, who make in-kind contributions by providing equipment for the project. The large quantities of tritium that will be brought into play in this installation, the intense neutron flux and the resulting activation of materials have serious implications regarding radiation protection and will represent true challenges for the safe management of waste during the operation and decommissioning of the installation. Following the presentation by the ITER Organization (IO) in 2024 of a new reference scenario for the project, discussions were initiated to define the regulatory changes resulting from this change of strategy. As a reminder, this new reference scenario provides for operation in several phases, corresponding to the main sequences of the experimental programme, and includes changes to certain facility design choices. Given the difficulties the licensee has identified in providing a conclusive safety case covering the entire lifetime of the project, IO proposes the principle of producing a staged safety case, following the successive phases of commissioning and operation. This approach will be based on a strategy of progressive acquisition of knowledge, with the knowledge acquired in one phase being used in the safety case for the next phase. Additional information to provide an overall view of the changes decided on and their impact on the various components of the project is expected, as part of the application to amend resolution 2013-DC0379, which should be submitted in 2026. IO must identify and analyse the impact of the planned or ongoing modifications on nuclear safety and radiation protection issues, both on the safety case and on the environment and, more broadly, on the protected interests. Work on the site and equipment manufacturing continued, notably including the continuation of repairs to the first sectors of the tokamak to correct the dimensional anomalies and to resolve the problem of stress corrosion affecting the heat shield cooling systems. By the end of 2025, three of the nine sectors of the vacuum vessel had been positioned in the pit of the Tokamak building. With regard to the assembly of the vacuum vessel, which may only begin after authorisation from ASNR, in accordance with BNI requirement 174-07 of ASN resolution 2013-DC-0379 of 12 November 2013, as amended, IO plans to submit an application in 2026. In 2025, ASNR continued the technical review of the new authorisation application for water intakes and discharges of non–radioactive effluents for the facility construction phase. As a result of this investigation, IO requested that the perimeter of the BNI be modified to include all the facilities and equipment affected by these discharges. Five inspections were carried out at the site in 2025, covering a range of organisational and technical issues. Checks were carried out on the new organisation adopted by IO concerning safety and responsibility for supervising outside contractors within the project teams. They also covered changes to contracts, the handling of deviations and the implementation of specified requirements, as well as the traceability of monitoring, control and supervision documentation. The inspections also made it possible to check activities, including qualification, on vacuum vessel equipment, cooling and vacuum systems, as well as heating and fuel management systems. On the basis of the inspections carried out, ASNR notes that the changes to the organisation of safety and supervision have not yet been finalised, and that efforts still need to be made to ensure the traceability of activities that are important for the protection of interests. This applies in particular to the quality of deviation handling and the volume of verification actions. More generally, the impact of the many technical developments and changes underway is not being adequately taken into account, and requires greater attention. Gammaster Irradiator Since 2008, the company Steris has been operating an industrial irradiator called “Gammaster”, situated on the land of the municipality of Marseille. Gammaster treats products by ionisation (emission of gamma radiation) with the aim of sanitising, sterilising or improving the performance of materials. The facility is made up of an industrial bunker and houses high-activity cobalt-60 sealed sources which produce the radiation necessary for the facility’s operations. In 2025, the licensee renovated the bunker’s ventilation system, which was oxidised by ozone. The old ducts have been replaced by stainless steel ducts. The licensee submitted its Safety Review Guidance File (DOR) to ASNR in December 2025, and the report concluding the periodic safety review of the installation is expected in 2027. ASNR considers that the level of safety and radiation protection is quite satisfactory in 2025. ASNR carried out two inspections in 2025. The first dealt in particular with source management and fire-fighting arrangements, which were carried out in a fairly satisfactory manner. The methods for managing fire loads have yet to be established. The second inspection looked at the condition of the systems and equipment. Improvements are expected in particular with regard to periodic inspections and tests, following maintenance operations on an element important for protection and technical inspection of protection important activities. Progress is also expected in the management of baseline safety requirements and updates to these. Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur 96 ABSTRACTS – ASNR Report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2025
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