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Nuclear agencies: Who does what?
1 - In France
The French Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) is an independent administrative body that monitors civil nuclear activities in France. Each year it submits a report to Parliament on the state of nuclear safety and radiological protection in the country.
The Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN) is a public research organization on nuclear and radiological hazards. It evaluates the safety procedures implemented by nuclear power plant operators and proposes measures to protect the population in the case of an accident. This institute also contributes to raising public awareness and carries out studies and research projects on radiological and nuclear hazards. Finally, the IRSN is in charge of the radiological monitoring of the French territory and its populated areas.
The High Committee for Transparency and Information on Nuclear Safety (HCTISN) provides information and promotes exchanges and dialogue on the risks associated with nuclear activities.
Areva is a French industrial group (formed from the merger of Framatome, Cogema and Technicatome) in which the government owns a stake exceeding 80%. Its activities focus primarily on nuclear energy, including uranium mining, nuclear fuel production, reactor construction, spent fuel reprocessing, radioactive material transport, nuclear propulsion and nuclear site operation.
ANDRA (National Agency for the Management of Radioactive Wastes) is a government-funded industrial and commercial body entrusted with the long-term management of the radioactive waste produced in France. It operates independently from the waste producers, under the auspices of the government ministries in charge of industry, research and the environment.
The CEA (Atomic Energy and Alternative Energies Commission) is a state-funded industrial and commercial organization involved in four major fields: low-carbon energies (including nuclear power), information and health technologies, large-scale research infrastructures, as well as defense and general security. It is the majority shareholder in Areva.
CNRS (French National Center for Scientific Research) stepped up its involvement in nuclear energy issues after the “Bataille Law” on nuclear waste management was adopted in 1991. Today the organization’s NEEDS program (a French acronym for “Nuclear Energy, Environment, Waste, Society”) brings together the country’s leading academics in the field of nuclear energy, encompassing disciplines such as physics, geology, the humanities and chemistry.
EDF (Electricité de France) is France's main electricity producer and supplier, operating as a state-owned limited liability company. EDF also buys and sells energy in other countries depending on its needs and production levels. 77.71% of French electricity is generated by nuclear power (source: IAEA – 12 April 2012).
2 – International agencies
The NEA (Nuclear Energy Agency) is the nuclear agency of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Its mission is to help its 30 member countries to develop civil nuclear energy.
The IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) is an intergovernmental body under the auspices of the United Nations whose mission is to ensure compliance with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and foster cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
Euratom, also known as the EAEC (European Atomic Energy Community), is a European public body in charge of coordinating research programs on nuclear energy.