Commission publishes its second report assessing implementation of Nuclear Safety Directive

The Commission adopted today its second progress report showing the progress achieved by EU countries in implementing the Nuclear Safety Directive, as amended in 2014. In broad terms, the Commission concludes that there is a good overall level of implementation of the Directive’s obligations, and highlights the significant progress made by Member States in the 10 years since the Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011. However, it notes that there is still room for improvement, and recommends further reporting by EU countries on the actions taken in the highlighted areas.

Accompanied by a detailed staff working document, the report provides a comprehensive overview of the governance of the safety of nuclear installations in the EU. It is based primarily on the national reports submitted by EU countries in 2020, but also takes into account findings from the assessment of the Directive’s transposition, results of the EU Stress Tests and of the first Topical Peer Review, conclusions of international reviews and issues raised by EU citizens and other EU institutions.

Based on best practices and previous evaluations, the Commission identifies several areas where action at EU level would be beneficial, encouraging EU countries to work together. This would contribute to enhancing the independence of the regulatory authorities, strengthening the capabilities of licence holders, consolidating safety culture and transparency, supporting the application of the nuclear safety objective and making the European peer-reviews more effective.

The Commission will support and facilitate the process of further improvements in nuclear safety, working closely with EU countries and their regulatory authorities, with the licensees and with other stakeholders, including civil society.

Background

In the aftermath of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident, the original 2009 Nuclear Safety Directive was amended in 2014 to strengthen the provisions on regulatory independence and introduce a high-level nuclear safety objective. It also enhanced transparency and public participation, required periodic safety reviews and arrangements for on-site emergency preparedness and response, promoted an effective nuclear safety culture, and set up a European system of regular peer reviews on safety topics.

Based on the first reporting cycle on national implementation, the Commission adopted its first progress report, accompanied by a staff working document in November 2015. Today’s report is the second and final report required under the Directive. 

Related links

• Report on the progress made with the implementation of Directive 2009/71/Euratom establishing a Community framework for the safety of nuclear installations amended by Directive 2014/87/Euratom (March 2022) | Staff working document
• Nuclear safety