The UK's Office for Nuclear Regulation, along with the environment regulators for England and Wales, have been asked by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to begin a Generic Design Assessment for Holtec International's SMR-300 small modular reactor design.

The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved Orano's TN Eagle nuclear packaging model for the transport and dry storage of used fuel.

The World Association of Nuclear Operators says its New Unit Assistance missions have helped the safe start-up of 53 new nuclear units over the past eight years - and it wants new entrants such as those developing small modular reactors to become members in the years before launch to benefit from the industry's experience.

Romania is committed to maintaining and strengthening its regulatory framework for nuclear and radiation safety, an International Atomic Energy Agency team of experts has concluded. However, the Integrated Regulatory Review Service mission team recommended improving the coordination among government agencies concerned with radiation source facilities and activities.

France's nuclear safety regulator, the Autorité de Sûreté Nucléaire, has said it is prepared to give EDF more time in order to implement safety upgrades required at its fleet of 900 MWe nuclear power reactors.

The UK's Office for Nuclear Regulation and the Environment Agency have completed a project piloting a nuclear regulatory sandbox process, using artificial intelligence as the test case. This project, which has reported its conclusions, will help inform the development of a regulatory approach to AI.

Saskatchewan's Ministry of Environment has given its approval for NexGen Energy to proceed with the development of its Rook I uranium project. NexGen is the first company in more than 20 years to receive full Provincial Environmental Assessment approval for a uranium project in Saskatchewan.

Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority has approved the operation of units 1 and 2 at Kyushu Electric Power Company's Sendai nuclear power plant beyond 40 years. Under incoming legislation, the units may be able to operate beyond 60 years.

The large increase in proposed new nuclear energy projects has led the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine to establish a pre-licensing system based on the approach used by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.

Southern Nuclear has announced it has received authorisation from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission to use advanced nuclear fuel enriched up to 6% uranium-235 at Vogtle unit 2. This is the first time a US commercial reactor has been authorised to use fuel with over 5% enrichment.

The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved the transfer of the licences for three operating nuclear power plants and their associated used fuel storage facilities from Energy Harbor Nuclear Corporation to Vistra Operations Company LLC.

Romania's National Commission for Nuclear Activities Control has approved the Licensing Basis Document for the NuScale VOYGR-6 small modular reactor power plant.