1. European harmonisation in safety is needed
Main reasons :
- an increasing common energetic economy within the EC
- creation of integrated transnational European utilities that compare safety requirements in different member states
- social and political wish to achieve the same safety level in all European countries
These reasons are particularly applicable to Europe.
The Joint Convention is needed (e.g. relations with Russia) but too general to achieve the level of European harmonisation needed.
Jérémie AVEROUS - department head, French nuclear safety authority
chairman of WENRA working group on waste and decommissioning
Euradwaste - March 2004

2. It is possible to produce quality harmonised safety levels
WENRA (Western European Nuclear Regulator ’s Association) is working on harmonisation :
- in the field of power reactor safety
( pilot study 2002, further publication due 2005)
- in the field of decommissioning & waste storage safety
( to be published end 2004)
The harmonised levels reflect the best regulatory practise available.
Are needed before any consultation of interested parties :
- Time for mutual undertanding
- Independance of technical discussions between regulators
Jérémie AVEROUS - department head, French nuclear safety authority
chairman of WENRA working group on waste and decommissioning
Euradwaste - March 2004

3. There is a need for harmonisation in the field of regulatory approach to disposal
France and Belgium will take an initiative to foster an European group on the regulatory approaches of waste disposal.
This will be based on the result of existing bilateral collaborations.
A first meeting on geological disposal is planed in November 2004.
A special case : for geological disposal, as no actual facility exists, participation of implementing agencies is crucial to the elaboration of applicable regulations.
Jérémie AVEROUS - department head, French nuclear safety authority
chairman of WENRA working group on waste and decommissioning
Euradwaste - March 2004