EPRG 0709

Alexandre Bredimas, William Nuttall

A Comparison of International Regulatory Organizations and Licensing Procedures for New Nuclear Power Plants

EPRG 0709 Non-Technical Summary | PDF

Also published in:

• Nuttall, W.J. and Bredimas, A. (2008),”A Comparison of International Regulatory Organizations and Licensing Procedures for New Nuclear Power Plants”, Energy Policy, Volume 36, Issue 4, April, Pages 1344–1354
• A Bredimas and W J Nuttall, Les Systèmes Réglementaires pour les Nouveaux Projets de Centrales Nucléaires dans Sept Pays: une Analyse Comparée, Revue Générale Nucléaire, Volume 2007, No. 5, Septembre-Octobre, pp. 68-76

Abstract: The paper considers issues concerning the safety regulation and the licensing of new nuclear power plants. The paper considers both design safety approval and issues of site licensing. Advice from international organisations is summarised. Nuclear power plant approval is primarily a national responsibility and the procedures of seven countries (Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Switzerland, the UK and the USA) are considered and compared. In some cases historical approaches are discussed, either because of a current national policy against new nuclear build or because of recent changes to relevant policy. Four factors are given emphasis in the paper: regulatory independence, consultation, transparency of process and the complexity of the legislative framework. The paper concludes with summary recommendations for best practice.