Case study: Multi-nation regulation

Background

The nature of nuclear new build, requiring a multi-billion pound financial outlay, means that there is a small pool of engineering companies in the market place.  

Issue

This means that organisations such as EDF/Arreva and Westinghouse are constructing the same design of power station in other countries at the same time, which presents opportunities for co-operation.

The Generic Design Assessment (GDA) is a process through which organisations wishing to build nuclear power stations in the UK can engage with the regulators, HSE Nuclear Directorate and the Environment Agency, at design stage in order to minimise project risk.

Although GDA is unique to the UK, the safety issues of interest to the regulators are the same, the world over," according to GDA inspector, Bob Yates. "This presents an opportunity for sharing of experience and knowledge on important safety issues when, for example, we know that the Finns and the French are both actually building the same nuclear power station that we are assessing the designs for."
The European Pressurised Water Reactor (EPR) from EDF and Arreva is one of two proposed power station designs being assessed by the GDA team for build in the UK.

What we did

"We have some very helpful working arrangements with our counterpart regulators in a number of countries, including France and Finland, through various bilateral arrangements with these countries and through the Multinational Design Evaluation Programme."

"For example, in our various interactions with STUK and the ASN, the Finn and French regulators, we were able to share with them issues to do with ‘control and instrumentation’ on the EPR that we found were broadly similar to theirs," explained Bob. "From this, we were able to work together closely to apply international standards and achieve a commitment from EDF and Areva to address the issue with an appropriate degree of importance."

Outcomes and benefits

"The international co-operation is helpful to everyone concerned. For regulators, because three sets of expertise are better than one, to the builders, because they can address the issue in three countries at the same time and ultimately, to the public around these power stations, which will have added assurance that the regulator is working on their behalf to ensure the safety of these nuclear installations."