ASN considers that the state of EDF installations is satisfactory and that the operating methods applied – both maintenance programmes and operating rules – are appropriate. In the fields of radiation protection and environmental protection, ASN considers that EDF obtained results in 2006 that were on the whole satisfactory. However, ASN expects to see further progress in operation and maintenance rigour and in surveillance of activities carried out by the subcontractors. Finally, ASN considers that the conditions on the worksites should be further improved.

Through conformity reviews, a permanent search for anomalies by its engineering departments and the tests and checks carried out during the ten-yearly outages, EDF is attentive to the possibility of generic risks, which are inherent in a standardised population of nuclear power plants. EDF takes advantage of this standardisation in making experience feedback between the reactors more efficient and effective.

It is also important for EDF to continue to take steps to improve safety still further. To do this, the periodic safety reviews are key opportunities for working with ASN. Integration of the changes resulting from the 900 MWe reactors second periodic safety review continued in 2006 and will be completed in 2010. Furthermore, ASN declared itself to be in favour of continued operation of the 1300 MWe reactors following their second periodic safety review. Incorporation of the changes resulting from this review will continue until 2014, when these reactors will undergo their second ten-yearly outages. The periodic safety review of the 900 MWe reactors, to mark their thirtieth birthday, continued in 2006. The question of ageing was looked at particularly closely during this review and ASN asked EDF to present a precise summary of the state of ageing of each of the reactors concerned and to demonstrate that operation could be continued beyond thirty years. The third ten-yearly outages for the 900 MWe reactors are scheduled to start in 2009, and it is on the basis of the results of the checks and inspections carried out on this occasion that ASN will decide on whether or not they will be allowed to continue to operate.

2006 was marked by important events which will help guide ASN's regulatory work and actions in 2007.

The first is the May 2006 submission by EDF of an application for the authorisation decree concerning the EPR reactor on the Flamanville site. ASN started its review of the preliminary safety case in 2002 at the same time as drafting of this safety case began. It completed its review in 2006, in the light of the safety objectives and directives defined in 2004. The ASN Commission's opinion concerning the reactor project will be forwarded to the Prime Minister at the beginning of 2007. If the authorisation is granted, EDF will be able to begin building the reactor. ASN will for its part begin a review of the detailed engineering studies and initiate a programme of building reviews.

Since 2004, the EPR reactor project has been the subject of cooperation with STUK, the Finnish nuclear safety authority. Since the beginning of 2006, ASN has been involved in the MDEP (Multinational Design Evaluation Program), initiated by the American nuclear safety authority, NRC. This programme, which involves ten nuclear safety authorities, aims to achieve worldwide harmonisation of assessment of new reactors and pooling of resources and know-how, at a time when many new reactor projects are appearing. In 2007, ASN will be continuing its cooperative work, in particular with STUK and NRC, in order to add international points of view to its assessment of EPR reactor safety.

Secondly, at the beginning of 2006, "reference levels" produced by the WENRA association were published as part of its safety harmonisation work, particularly for power reactors. The "reference levels" defined were submitted to the various stakeholders for their comments, in particular the European nuclear power plant licensees. In 2007, ASN will continue to transcribe the "reference levels" consolidated following the consultation process, into regulatory or other official texts. The aim is to reach a harmonised European safety situation in 2010, in accordance with the undertaking made by nuclear safety authorities that are members of WENRA.

With regard to regulation of power reactors, ASN conducted inspections to check the correct working of the "internal authorisations" system put into place in 2005 and which, for operations which do not compromise the safety case, enables EDF to decide on execution without having to ask ASN for prior authorisation. This shifts the burden of responsibility more squarely onto EDF, thereby correcting a natural tendency to leave it up to ASN to check the quality of the files, a task which should above all be the responsibility of the licensee. This also enables ASN to concentrate its regulatory actions on those subjects with more important safety issues. For example, reactor restart after outages involving no maintenance is governed by the "internal authorisations" system. ASN considers that the systems in place are working correctly. However, for the time being, they only cover a very limited scope and could be broadened in 2007.