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The Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN), created by Nuclear Transparency and Security Act 2006-686 of 13 June 2006, is responsible for the regulation of nuclear safety and radiation protection in all fields using sources of ionising radiations or involving transport of radioactive materials. With regard to radiation protection, other organisations such as the conventional safety inspectorate, the inspectorate for installations classified on environmental protection grounds and the medical devices inspectorate also have specific regulatory roles.

Nuclear activities are defined by the Public Health Code as “activities involving a risk of human exposure to ionising radiations, emanating either from an artificial source – whether a material or device – or from a natural source when natural radionuclides are or have been processed for their fissile or fertile radioactive properties, as well as interventions designed to prevent or mitigate a radiological risk following an accident or contamination of the environment”. These nuclear activities include those conducted in basic nuclear installations (BNIs) and during transport of radioactive materials, as well as in all industrial and research facilities and hospitals where ionising radiations are used.

The common goal of nuclear safety and radiation protection is to protect people and property against hazards, detrimental effects or problems of whatever nature, arising from the operation of nuclear or radiological facilities, the transport, use and transformation of radioactive or fissile materials, and exposure to naturally-occurring radiation.

Nuclear safety is defined as encompassing all technical and organisational provisions relating to the design, construction, operation, shutdown and dismantling of facilities comprising a source of ionising radiations, as well as those relating to the transport of radioactive materials, and intended to prevent accidents and mitigate any consequences thereof.

Radiation protection is defined as the set of prevention and monitoring rules, procedures and means aimed at preventing or minimising the harmful effects of ionising radiations on individuals directly or indirectly exposed, including through environmental contamination.