France: promulgation of the law merging ASN and IRSN for nuclear safety

The law merging the Autorité de sûreté nucléaire (ASN) and the Institut de radioprotection et de sûreté nucléaire (IRSN) into a new entity, the Autorité de sûreté nucléaire et de radioprotection (ASNR), has been promulgated, marking a crucial step in the governance of nuclear safety in France.

Share:

Réforme Sûreté Nucléaire France

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25€/month*

*billed annually at 99€/year for the first year then 149,00€/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2€/month*
then 14.90€ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

The promulgation of this law, passed by Parliament in early April, comes after a year of intense debate and contestation. The French Constitutional Council rejected a final appeal, paving the way for the creation of the ASNR in January 2025. The aim of this reform is to adapt nuclear governance to France’s new ambitions, in particular the construction of new reactors and the extension of existing reactors’ lifespans.

Merger and reorganization

The merger of ASN and IRSN, two bodies born of the lessons of the Chernobyl accident, is intended to “streamline” decision-making in the nuclear sector. The law stipulates that the ASNR’s internal regulations must organize this rapprochement precisely, with a clear distinction between those responsible for appraising dossiers and those responsible for making final decisions. This distinction is considered essential by experts to guarantee the safety of installations.

Means and resources

Faced with an unprecedented workload linked to new reactor projects and the extension of old ones, ASN and IRSN have been calling for additional resources for years. The law stipulates that by July 1, 2024, the government must submit to Parliament a report on the human, technical and financial resources required by ASNR and CEA by 2025. ASNR will also have to assess its needs for the next five years, by July 1, 2025.

Reactions and concerns

The reform has provoked strong reactions, both in Parliament and from trade unions and associations. IRSN’s trade unions, notably the CGT-CFDT-CFE CGC, are voicing their concerns about the tight timetable, and are calling for the rapid appointment of a “prefigurator” to arbitrate disagreements and ensure continuity of activities from January 2025.

Perspectives and challenges

The unification of safety and radiation protection structures aims to strengthen nuclear governance in France, by improving the coordination and efficiency of decision-making processes. However, the success of this reform will largely depend on the effective deployment of the necessary resources and on the ASNR’s ability to meet the growing challenges of the sector.
The creation of the ASNR marks an important turning point in the management of nuclear safety in France. By centralizing the skills of ASN and IRSN, this new entity will meet the country’s nuclear ambitions while guaranteeing safety and radiological protection.

NextEra Energy announces an agreement with Google to restart a nuclear plant in Iowa, with operations expected to resume as early as 2029 and full site ownership secured.
The environmental review of TerraPower’s Natrium project in Wyoming has been completed, paving the way for a construction permit for this advanced nuclear reactor.
Santee Cooper has selected Brookfield Asset Management to lead a feasibility study aimed at completing two unfinished AP1000 reactors, without relying on public funds or raising consumer rates.
Endesa, Iberdrola and Naturgy have officially requested the Spanish government to delay the closure of the Almaraz nuclear power plant, originally scheduled for 2028, reigniting the debate on nuclear power's role in the national energy mix.
The reactor vessel for Unit 1 at Egypt’s El Dabaa nuclear plant has been delivered following a 20-day maritime transport from Saint Petersburg, marking a critical milestone in the country’s energy project.
Ontario Power Generation secures CAD3bn ($2.1bn) in public equity financing to construct four modular reactors at Darlington, aiming to ease private sector entry into next-generation nuclear infrastructure.
French developer Newcleo launches a joint venture with Nextchem through a EUR70 mn contract to design the conventional island of its upcoming 200 MW modular nuclear reactors.
NANO Nuclear strengthens its North American strategy by acquiring Global First Power in Canada, securing regulatory rights for its KRONOS MMR™ project at Chalk River.
South Korea becomes the first country to submit a safeguards technical report to the IAEA for a small modular reactor, setting a precedent for early integration of non-proliferation requirements in nuclear design.
The Environmental Authority criticises the lack of key data on health risks, chemical discharges and construction safety for EDF's two upcoming EPR2 reactors in Seine-Maritime.
Brazil and China have concluded a three-year agreement to secure access to essential radioisotopes for the medical, industrial and scientific sectors, with no financial exchange between the parties.
US-based developer Last Energy will deploy its first domestic microreactor at Texas A&M-RELLIS, marking a strategic step in the advanced modular reactor race.
PGE acquires ZE PAK's stake in the joint venture responsible for developing Poland’s second nuclear site, consolidating a strategic asset within its energy portfolio.
Amazon unveils new visuals of its upcoming nuclear site, marking a key step in its partnership with X-energy to deploy up to 960 MW of modular nuclear capacity in Washington state.
Canadian uranium producer NexGen Energy has completed a A$1bn ($639mn) equity raise split between North American and Australian markets to support the development of its Rook I project.
Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings is examining the permanent closure of units 1 and 2 at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant, the oldest at the site, while continuing efforts to restart unit 6.
The formal expiration of the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran comes as international sanctions have already been reinstated and diplomatic negotiations remain stalled.
Oklo, newcleo and Blykalla partner to develop advanced nuclear fuel infrastructure in the United States, backed by a planned $2bn investment.
enCore Energy has identified three new uranium roll fronts at its Alta Mesa project, with ongoing drilling aimed at defining their extent and accelerating development work.
California-based Radiant will build its first microreactor production facility in Oak Ridge, on a former Manhattan Project site, with production targeted at 50 units per year by 2028.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25€/month*

*billed annually at 99€/year for the first year then 149,00€/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2€/month*
then 14.90€ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.