In undertaking the Generic Design Assessments, NII takes account of international good practice, the assessments of overseas nuclear regulators, and international standards. While NII has a legal duty to undertake reactor assessments specifically for the UK, we are not seeking to unnecessarily duplicate assessment work already done elsewhere. We have good relations with a wide range of overseas regulators, many of these relationships are underwritten by formal information exchange arrangements. During GDA we are particularly looking to make best use of our relationships with contacts with those regulators who are similarly engaged in assessments of the reactor designs which we are currently considering. The French, US, Finnish and Canadian regulators have all gained experience, to a greater or lesser degree in assessment of the type of designs being taken through GDA in the UK and we are engaged in discussions with each regarding the sharing of information and experience and the possibilities of joint working on particular design assessment topics.
The UK and French Governments announced on 27 March 2008 that the two countries would work together to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of nuclear development projects including in safety and pre-licensing (which is what we refer to as Generic Design Assessment). In that context, the NII Chief Inspector and the chair of the French safety regulator have issued a joint statement regarding their intent to work closely on matters relating to the regulatory assessment of the European Pressurised water Reactor (EPR) which is one of the designs undergoing GDA in the UK, and is under construction in France and Finland.
The UK regulators are currently undertaking GDA of 4 reactor designs, of which the EPR is one. The UK Government recently announced that in order to meet the UK's energy needs on time, a prioritisation would be undertaken to reduce the current four designs being assessed through the GDA process to a maximum of three. That prioritisation process is likely to be completed by the end of April 2008. It is not possible to say whether the EPR will be one of those selected to proceed through GDA, but if it is selected than the joint regulatory collaboration between the French and UK regulators will not negatively impact on the assessment of the other reactors which will be going through the GDA process.
Protecting people, the environment, and society
