Autorité de sûreté nucléaire
Encyclopedia
The Autorité de sûreté nucléaire (Nuclear Safety Authority, ASN) is an independent French administrative authority set up by law 2006-686 of 13 June 2006 concerning nuclear transparency and safety
. Its task, on behalf of the State, is to regulate nuclear safety and radiation protection in order to protect workers, patients, the public and the environment from the risks involved in nuclear activities. It also contributes to informing the citizens.
The president of the ASN is André-Claude Lacoste who is also a founding member and has been chairman of the International Nuclear Regulators’ Association (INRA) and the Western European Nuclear Regulators’ Association
(WENRA). He is also the chairman of the Commission on Safety Standards (CSS) of the IAEA
.
During the events regarding the Fukushima I nuclear power plant, the ASN stated that they believed the events unfolding should be rated a 5 or even a 6 on the International Nuclear Event Scale
when the Japan Atomic Energy Agency
had listed them a day before as a level 4 event. Later on they said they believed the situation had surpassed that of a level 5 event and moved to a level 6. Their opinion was shared by the Finnish nuclear authorities.
Nuclear safety
Nuclear safety covers the actions taken to prevent nuclear and radiation accidents or to limit their consequences. This covers nuclear power plants as well as all other nuclear facilities, the transportation of nuclear materials, and the use and storage of nuclear materials for medical, power,...
. Its task, on behalf of the State, is to regulate nuclear safety and radiation protection in order to protect workers, patients, the public and the environment from the risks involved in nuclear activities. It also contributes to informing the citizens.
The president of the ASN is André-Claude Lacoste who is also a founding member and has been chairman of the International Nuclear Regulators’ Association (INRA) and the Western European Nuclear Regulators’ Association
Western European Nuclear Regulators’ Association
The Association of Regulators of Western Europe , created February 4, 1999, is a association of agencies or regulatory agencies in the field of nuclear countries of Western Europe ....
(WENRA). He is also the chairman of the Commission on Safety Standards (CSS) of the IAEA
International Atomic Energy Agency
The International Atomic Energy Agency is an international organization that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and to inhibit its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons. The IAEA was established as an autonomous organization on 29 July 1957...
.
During the events regarding the Fukushima I nuclear power plant, the ASN stated that they believed the events unfolding should be rated a 5 or even a 6 on the International Nuclear Event Scale
International Nuclear Event Scale
The International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale was introduced in 1990 by the International Atomic Energy Agency in order to enable prompt communication of safety significance information in case of nuclear accidents....
when the Japan Atomic Energy Agency
Japan Atomic Energy Agency
The was formed October 1, 2005 by a merger of two previous semi-governmental organizations. While it inherited the activities of both PNC and JAERI, it also inherited the nickname of JAERI, "Genken" 原研, an abbreviated word for "nuclear research"....
had listed them a day before as a level 4 event. Later on they said they believed the situation had surpassed that of a level 5 event and moved to a level 6. Their opinion was shared by the Finnish nuclear authorities.