Canada has a committed regulatory body that works for the continuous improvement of nuclear and radiation safety, an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) peer review mission has concluded. The team noted areas for further enhancement.

China's State Council Information Office has today issued a white paper outlining its approach to nuclear safety. The country, it says, has an effective nuclear safety system in place and is cooperating internationally to improve global nuclear safety.

The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has certified the Korean-designed Advanced Power Reactor 1400. The certificate states that the NRC finds the APR-1400 design fully meets US safety requirements.

The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has issued a revised schedule for its review of the first subsequent licence renewal for a US nuclear power plant because it is taking more staffing hours than originally expected. It still expects to complete the process within its original 18-month timescale.
 

Canadian and US nuclear regulators have signed a first-of-a-kind Memorandum of Cooperation that will see them collaborate on the technical reviews of advanced reactor and small modular reactor technologies. Meanwhile, the US Department of Energy has awarded funds to build SMR simulators at three US universities.

Holtec International's HI-STAR 100MB transport package has been certified by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The company says the cask is "destined to become America's workhorse for transporting used nuclear fuel".

The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has issued for public comment the draft supplemental environmental impact statement on Exelon Generation Company's application for an additional 20 years of operation for Peach Bottom units 2 and 3. This would be a second licence renewal for the Pennsylvania plant and, if granted, would enable it to operate for 80 years.

Peninsula Energy Ltd has completed the regulatory process for the use of low pH in-situ uranium recovery at the Lance uranium projects in Wyoming, becoming the only operator authorised to use the technique in the USA.

Tohoku Electric Power Company has applied to Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority for approval of its decommissioning plan for unit 1 of the Onagawa nuclear power plant in Miyagi Prefecture. The company announced in October 2018 its decision to scrap the unit as it said required safety upgrades would be too expensive and time-consuming.

Units 1 and 2 of Belgium's Doel nuclear power plant can continue operating, even though a law extending their operation was adopted without the required environmental assessments or public consultation being carried out first, the European Court of Justice ruled today.

The Nuclear Regulation Authority of Japan is considering changes that would make the clearance of radioactive material about ten times stricter than international standards, creating unnecessary confusion and cost, writes Dr Charlotta Sanders, senior project manager at World Nuclear Association.

The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has proposed a reduction in the frequency and scope of inspections at the country's more than 90 nuclear power units to help reduce costs and improve efficiency. In response, the Nuclear Energy Institute said "smarter regulations" can help nuclear plant owners and operators allocate time and resources to areas that most impact safety.