Annual
Rapportreportannuel 2018

ENHANCING

NUCLEAR SAFETY, IN FRANCE
AND ABROAD

Further to Act No. 2015-992 of August 17, 2015 on energy transition for green growth, thelegislative part of the French Environment Code defines the missions of the French Institutefor Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN), the public expert in nuclear andradiological risks, together with those of the French Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN), and of
the local information commissions (CLI). Decree No 2016-283 of March 10, 2016 on IRSN, which
implements the Act, places the organization under the joint supervision of the Ministers for
Ecology, Defense, Energy, Research and Health. IRSN is the national public expert in nuclear
and radiological risks, and its activities cover all the related scientific and technical issues inFrance and in the international arena. Its work therefore concerns a wide range of fields,
including environmental monitoring, radiological emergency response, radiation protection andhuman health in normal and accident situations, prevention of major accidents, and safety andsecurity of nuclear reactors, plants, laboratories, transportation, and waste. It also carries out
assessments in the nuclear defense field. In addition, IRSN contributes to government policy onhealth, nuclear safety, the environment and emergency response. Within this context, it interacts
with all the organizations concerned including public authorities, in particular the nuclear safety
and security authorities, members of the French parliament and local elected officials, researchorganizations, and stakeholder associations. IRSN also contributes to training and providing
public information about nuclear and radiological risks.

HUMAN RESOURCESBUDGET

1,777*€ 274 m(1, 800 in 2017)(€ 280 m in 2017)

employees

revenue76**

doctoral students

49

Doctors or persons
qualified to direct
research(47 in 2017)(81 in 2017)10**

post-doctorate students(6 in 2017)39.1 %of budget devoted
to research (excluding
Feurs project)(39.8 % in 2017)51 %of budget allocated to technicalsupport and public service
missions (excluding Feurs project)(50.7 % in 2017)* This workforce consists of 1,636 persons on permanent contracts and 141 on fixed-term contracts (including 56 persons assigned to other organizations, but excluding 22 temporary assignments)** Expressed in full-time equivalent terms (FTE worked)

CONTENTS

CONTENTSCONTENTS
Foreword 6
Governance 12
Strategic challenges 1401

04

CIVIL NUCLEAR
FACILITIESRESEARCH AND
KN OWLEDGE

20

31

06

09

ENVIRONMENTINFORMING

38

48

03

08

SECURITYAND N ONPROLIFERATIONEMERGENCYRESPONSE AND
POS T-ACCID ENTMANAGEMENT

28

45

02

05

07

FUT UREFACILITIESINTERNATIONALCOLLA BORATIONPUBLICHEALTH

24

35

41

10

E FFICIENCY
50

Governing bodies 54
Glossary 57

4

IR SN - Annual report 20 18

IR SN - Annual report 20 18

5FOREWORD

FOREWORDMARIE-FRANCE BELLIN
Ch a i r p e rs on o f the B o ard o f D i re c t o rs

A rise in the number of radiology
IRSN’s Board of Directors was re-elected
procedures, particularly CT scans, hasin 2018, and I had the honor of being
increased the population’s exposure to
appointed chairperson. I took up theionizing radiation at low doses despite
position and the responsibilities it entails
uncertainty about its harmful long-term
several months ago, and I now haveeffects. The use of CT scans is becoming
a clear vision of the broad scope andincreasingly common, especially incomplexity of the nuclear safety andemergency medicine and for assessing
radiation protection challenges to be
the spread of many diseases, including
tackled by IRSN.
cancers. Advances in treatments prolong
IRSN must be prepared for the major chalpatients’ life expectancy and therefore
lenges to come in the short and medium
increase the number of examinations.
term. The first is research, which has
The rapid development of interventional
been receiving a diminishing share ofradiology to guide surgery or replace
the total budget in the last few years.
it can also cause irradiation of patients
The challenge here will be to develop an
IRSN must be preparedand operators. Improvements to radiambitious research policy to ensure thefor the major challenges
otherapy equipment mean that very
credibility and independence of IRSN’s
to come in the short anddense radiation can be delivered to very
judgment, and thus to maintain its highprecise areas, and this demands trained,
level of expertise. The recent recommedium term.
careful staff.
mendations made by The High Council
The fourth challenge is mainfor Evaluation of Research and Higher
taining
IRSN’sattractivenessEducation (Hcéres) should help to reinto new recruits, especially young engiforce IRSN’s research strategy. An imporneers, in a highly competitive context of economic recovery.
tant element of this will be the development of partnerships,
To do this, IRSN must make its expertise shine and promote theparticularly with the academic world.
excellence of its research in France and abroad.
The second area is expert assessment, where there are major
The fifth challenge is dialog with civil society to respond tochallenges in terms of nuclear safety and security, particularly
the public’s growing demand for information and involvementwith the new EPR plants, follow-up on the experience feedback
in decision-making. A deliberate policy of sharing informationfrom Fukushima and the measures taken at French nuclear power
and knowledge with a variety of audiences (communities living
plants, extension of the operating life of nuclear power plants,
near nuclear power plants, doctors, associations) is essential.
and the Cigeo project. The same applies to the new security
This permanent interaction with civil society is an important
challenges for facilities and for the transportation of radioaccomponent of being alert to risks. It helps to ensure that assesstive materials, particularly cybersecurity and protection against
ment of nuclear and radiological risks is as robust as possible, so
malicious acts. Finally, the disposal of medium- and high-levelthat these risks can be managed appropriately and transparently
long-lived waste is a major challenge, with multiple needs forin view of the challenges and expectations of different sectors
nuclear but also geological and ethical expertise, given the longof society.
life of this waste.
The third challenge is medical radiation protection and theincrease in uses of ionizing radiation for both diagnosis
and treatment.

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IR SN - Annual report 20 18

In view of this context, I am particularly focused on ensuring thatIRSN has sufficient resources to remain innovative and agile,and to develop research that reflects the scale of its ambitions,because this is necessary to maintain high levels of safety andradiation protection. I am also focused on preserving IRSN’s
human resources, which are vital to maintaining its role as adriving force in the governance of nuclear and radiological risk.

I find that IRSN’s values
reflect the values I have held
throughout my career in
hospitals.

With the signature of the Performance Target Agreement 20192023, IRSN’s objectives and resources have been reaffirmed;
they enable IRSN to consolidate its commitment to the governance of nuclear and radiological risk.
On a more general level, I find that IRSN’s values reflect the values
I have held throughout my career in hospitals, values that we will
be working on with the Director General:the value of collective expertise, which progresses throughthe work and commitment of people from many different
horizons. I have a firm belief in transversality and multidisciplinarity, which are essential in hospitals and are also in place
at IRSN;
the importance of research, which safeguards progress andopens up new avenues to explore. It is our collective responsibility to boost research and particularly to increase the numberof partnerships;
the value of teamwork, using teams to deliver excellence forpatients in hospitals and for the public in IRSN’s case, andeducation for the young;transparency and openness to society, towards patients andtheir families in hospitals, and towards the public in IRSN’s
sphere of activity, where there is a high level of demand for
information and explanation;
international openness in order to showcase the expertise ofFrench institutions, benefit from different experiences andforge potentially useful links.

As chairperson of IRSN’s Board of Directors, I am keen towork with the supervising ministries and the Director General,
Jean-Christophe Niel, to accompany the changes required at
IRSN that will enable it to cope with these new challenges, andto meet the need for information expressed by the public andfor technological transformation as digital technologies develop.
We need to give particular attention to education and to sharing
information with the general public, as IRSN has done since its
creation. In a context of rapid change in modes of communication, particularly due to social networks, we must be attentive
to IRSN’s duty to provide information laid down by the decreeof March 10, 2016. This decree also provides for the creation of a research policy committee to advise IRSN’s Board of
Directors on the objectives and priorities for IRSN’s research into
nuclear safety and radiation protection. This multidisciplinarycommittee, created in 2009, now has an official mandate, andI will take care to ensure it plays its role fully and contributes tothe excellence of IRSN’s research.
As a public expert in nuclear and radiological risks, excellence,
anticipation, independence and sharing will be IRSN’s guiding
principles for the coming years; it will be an honor for me tofollow them and they will guide everything I do.

IR SN - Annual report 20 18

7

FOREWORD

FOREWORD

JEAN-CHRISTOPHE NIEL
D i re c t o r G e n e ra lIionizing radiation or cause public exposureand the monitoring of these activities are
therefore vital.
In parallel, there is growing demand for
public involvement in decisions regarding
the management of risks to health or theenvironment. From a legislative and regulatory point of view, the national system forthe governance of nuclear and radiologicalrisks has been significantly strengthened in
the last few years with the Act on energy
transition for green growth, the transposition of the European directive on basic
safety standards for radiation protection,and the reinforcement of security measures for nuclear facilities and transport and,I want to start by mentioning someon a broader scale, the Sapin II Law andkey elements of the context to
the requirements it introduces regarding
The Performance Target
which IRSN’s expertise andtransparency, combating corruption andresearch responds.
Agreement, signed
modernization of economic life.
on January 10, 2019,
In research, as well as universities and
The multiyear program for energy will
sets IRSN’s strategic
research organizations pooling their sciencause changes in the nuclear faciliorientations and reflects
tific forces and strengthening their partties landscape with the arrival of newnerships, which are the key to scientificprojects (EPR, Cigeo, RJH, central
its commitments for the
excellence, the government has begun
storage pool, etc.), the manageperiod 2019-2023, meeting
work on a proposal for a multiannual
ment of the existing fleet (continued
the expectations of theresearch orientation and programming law.
operation of reactors beyond 40 years,
government and society.
In this changing and demanding context,
follow-up of the Fukushima accident,
IRSN’s Performance Target Agreement
safety reviews), and issues related tofor 2019-2023, signed on January 10 by
the dismantling and cleanup of decomour supervising ministers, is an important milestone in IRSN’s
missioned civil and military facilities and to radioactive waste
governance. This Agreement enables us to share IRSN’s strategic
management.
orientations and main objectives with our supervisors and the
The goals of the National Health Strategy 2018-2022 as regards
other institutions we have regular contact with, particularly theionizing radiation are to improve the quality and relevance ofsafety and security authorities. The four chosen strategic areas
healthcare procedures, reduce public exposure to substancesreflect the various tasks we do: expert assessment, research,harmful to health, and assess their combined effects.
monitoring and functional tasks. They enable us to establish a
Another feature of the current context is the increasing level of
picture of the challenges to be addressed by IRSN in the short
expectation from society, particularly in terms of the environment,
and medium term.
health and safety, as shown by IRSN’s annual Barometer. An accurate knowledge of the environmental impact of activities that use
n a context of current andfuture challenges for energy,
health, research and security,and demands from the public
for transparency and environmental democracy, the Performance
Target Agreement signed on January 10,2019 sets IRSN’s strategic orientations and reflects its commitments forthe 2019-2023 period to exhaustively
fulfill its missions of nuclear safety andsecurity and protection of human healthand the environment from ionizing radiation
by meeting the expectations of the government and society.

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IR SN - Annual report 20 18

Providing the government and other public authorities
with effective assessments and expertise to prevent
nuclear and radiological risks.
IRSN supports the civil nuclear safety authority, ASN, and thenuclear safety authority for defense, DSND, the Senior Defense
and Security Officials of the Ministries for Energy and Industry,
and more generally, any government departments dealing with
nuclear or radiological risks. This support usually takes the formof technical notices and reports (more than 800 in 2018), andsometimes field visits to carry out radiological surveys of sites orenvironmental characterizations. We demand that these activities
are carried out to a high standard, are technically relevant, areproportional to the issues at stake and are performed promptly,
whether they are scheduled or impromptu, e.g. in response to an
incident. One of IRSN’s particular characteristics is its ability tooffer scientific expert assessments performed collectively. These
rely on the knowledge, skills and know-how of its experts andon feedback from experience. These assessments are conductedin a wide variety of technical fields, so IRSN needs high levelsof transversality and a strong multidisciplinary culture. Theseexpert assessments require innovation in terms of methods andknowledge, so that new problems and situations can be handled.
For this reason IRSN investigates new fields such as multicriteria
analysis methods and research into augmented expertise and theuse of artificial intelligence.
Nationally, IRSN makes a technical contribution to various
government policies and national plans related to radiologicaland nuclear risk management. On this basis it contributes to
the National Health Strategy, the Health and Environment Plan,
the Radon Plan, the Occupational Health Plan, the Radioactive
Materials and Waste Management Plan, and the Cancer Plan.
At European and international level, regulatory requirements areusually developed by dedicated bodies such as Euratom, the IAEA,UNSCEAR and the ICRP. The definition of common objectives andthe harmonization of expert assessment practices help to ensurea uniform approach is taken by national systems for the governance of nuclear and radiological risks. Among these organizations,
I would particularly like to mention the European ETSON network(European Technical Safety Organisations Network), the networkof IRSN’s European counterparts engaged in this harmonization
process. More generally, IRSN participates in the disseminationand promotion of French approaches to safety and radiation
protection with in these international bodies.

Deploying the scientific strategy and conducting
high-level research by promoting the development of
national, European and international networks to meetthe challenges of expert assessment.
The research conducted by IRSN is designed to make available
the knowledge IRSN needs to conduct expert assessments aspart of its appraisal of nuclear and radiological risks.
It receives effective support from its Scientific Committee,
Inspection Committee and Research Policy Committee.
It meets the requirements for scientific excellence and thesharing and dissemination of knowledge, as shown by theconclusions of the Hcéres audit in 2018. In a context ofsustained demand for expert assessments, one of IRSN’s challenges is to make sure it maintains a balance between expert
assessment and research.
Research partnerships, which guarantee scientific quality andefficiency, can be a means of enhancing capacity and streamlining resources. It is therefore vital for IRSN to play a leading rolein structuring and programming research activities nationally,at European level and internationally. IRSN actively participatesin the creation of consortia for research projects bringing
together French organizations and their foreign counterparts,
global academic players and, where appropriate, industry.
To support these research projects, we have the benefit of firstclass experimental facilities that contribute to the productionof the data needed to achieve advances in knowledge. Thesefacilities also lead to the development of partnerships.
In the radiation protection field, IRSN has platforms for radiation measurement, irradiation and microscopy. In the nuclear
safety field, the platforms cover a wide spectrum of topics suchas fire, containment, material aging, thermal hydraulics andradiochemistry.
I would like to pay tribute to the work done in 2018 to complete
the first test on the pressurized water loop in the Cabri reactor,
a CEA facility made available to IRSN. This reactor is used todevelop programs to study the behavior of nuclear fuel in
accident situations.

IR SN - Annual report 20 18

9FOREWORD

FOREWORDLOUIS-MICHEL GUILLAUME
D e p u t y D i re c t o r G e n e ra l i n c h a rg e o f
D e fe n s e - re l a t e d mi s s i o n s

Contributing to transparency and dialog on nuclear
safety and radiation protection.
Since its creation, IRSN has developed a policy of openness tosociety, which has been written into successive performancetarget agreements with the government. This policy consistsof sharing the scientific and technical knowledge resulting from
IRSN’s work and encouraging society to make a contribution to
our research and expert assessment activities.
In the context of the Act on Transparency on Nuclear Safety,
IRSN is already in contact with key players such as the local information commissions (CLI), their national association (Anccli)
and France’s High Committee for Transparency and Information
on Nuclear Safety (HCTISN). Stakeholders’ expectations andquestions are changing; IRSN must therefore continue working
to make scientific information, and knowledge more generally,
available and to share that information and knowledge. For
example, it is helping to bring clarity to the public debate on
France’s National Radioactive Materials and Waste Management
Plan by making available its scientific and technical assessments
and its know-how on dialog with society and on the developmentof a radiation protection culture within populations affectedby measures to prevent radon exposure in homes.
In the last few years, IRSN has begun to involve civil society
representatives in the review of files with major safety implications, particularly in the context of the fourth periodic reviews of
the 900 MW reactors and the defects found in the steel used forthe closure head domes of the EPR reactor at Flamanville.
To ensure this technical dialog on nuclear and radiologicalrisks becomes a regular event, IRSN intends to set up a diverse
representation body, a committee for dialog between elected
officials, stakeholder representatives, industry, government
representatives and IRSN’s experts. This body will complement
the work of the Research Policy Committee, which was set up
to make recommendations to guide IRSN’s research, taking
society’s expectations into account.

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IR SN - Annual report 20 18

Adapting IRSN’s support for authorities andgovernment departments to cope with the changing
nature of nuclear and radiological emergencies.
Nuclear and radiological emergencies require an all-encompassing
response from the government that covers. They need strong
coordination between the different national and regional agencies
involved, and also with European and international authorities.
IRSN provides operational support to the government and otherpublic authorities in this context, by mobilizing its expert
assessment capabilities and by activating its Emergency
Response Center and its monitoring and response capabilities.
IRSN is identified in the national emergency response plan for
major nuclear or radiological accidents, and is therefore called
upon to contribute to improvements in the national response
system for radiological emergencies and post-accident situations. In liaison with the public authorities, it also does the samefor the NRBC plan.
Running IRSN responsibly.
IRSN is covered by the government’s policy of modernizationand public spending control. As part of this, we have to improverisk management and performance without jeopardizing safety,
and to promote the financial sustainability and efficiency of theInstitute’s activities. More generally, I want to pursue a policyof social and environmental responsibility by increasing IRSN’s
everyday actions on social and environmental matters, ethics,transparency, etc. In particular, a new Ethics Commission was
appointed in 2018.
The Performance Target Agreement sets out the ambitions for
IRSN, in response to the expectations of the government andsociety.
I am determined to follow this road map, working closely with
the Board of Directors and its Chairperson, Marie-France Bellin.
The women and men at IRSN, whose commitment and professionalism in what they do are widely recognized, will also be
committed to its deployment.

In the field of defense, security
and non-proliferation, the signature of the Performance Target
Agreement 2019-2023 in January
reaffirmed the challenges for
IRSN. In particular it set two objectives:
to conduct expert assessments concerning
the security of nuclear materials, facilities
and transport and to undertake theassociated operational missions.
to contribute, in support of the authorities
responsible for them, to France’s compliance with its commitments regarding
nuclear non-proliferation and the ban on
chemical weapons.
These objectives illustrate the diversity of
IRSN’s missions and its commitment toadvancing nuclear safety and security inthe defense arena, and nuclear security forcivil facilities and transport.

As part of its activities for the Senior Defense
and Security Official (HFDS) at the Ministryof Energy, IRSN assessed the files related
to the implementation by nuclear facility
operators of the draft decree on the protection and control of nuclear materials, facilities and transport (decree No 2009-1120 of
September 17, 2009) which aims to tighten
requirements for the protection of existing
facilities from malicious acts and terrorism.
Recurrent technical support and assistancehas been provided, particularly under theinspection program for facilities and transport
defined by the HFDS’ departments.
Finally, in 2018 IRSN continued to provide
technical support and assistance for France’s
application of international treaties on nuclear
non-proliferation (Euratom Treaty, IAEA
In the field of defense,
Safeguards Agreement, bilateral agreements)
security and nonand banning chemical weapons (Chemical
proliferation, theWeapons Convention). To do this it collected
and forwarded the licensees’ declarations to
In 2018, as part of its technical support to thesignature of thethe inspection bodies and accompanied interRepresentative in charge of Nuclear Safety
Performance Target
national inspections carried out by the IAEA
and Radiation Protection for DefenseAgreement 2019-2023
and Euratom for nuclear non-proliferation
related Activities and Facilities (DSND),
reaffirmed the challenges and the OPCW for chemical weapons.
IRSN examined the measures associfor IRSN.
This sustained activity continues in 2019ated with the return to operation of thewith, in the case of naval propulsion, theCharles de Gaulle aircraft carrier following
start of work on the future nuclear-powereda major technical shutdown, reviewed theballistic missile submarine, the first tests on
preparations for the core embarkation and
the Suffren nuclear-powered attack submarine in Cherbourg,
criticality of the Suffren, the Barracuda program’s first
and the withdrawal from service of the Saphir. In parallel, thenuclear-powered attack submarine, including its support infrastructure in Cherbourg, Brest and Toulon, conducted a review
review of protection measures against malicious acts at French
prior to the commissioning of the RES reactor at Cadarache,
operators’ industrial sites will continue, in particular looking atand continued to work on the safety review of nuclear-powered
the future central storage pool, currently at the design stage.
ballistic missile submarines in service and their support facilities
Finally, IRSN will provide technical support to administraon land. For the facilities run by the CEA and Orano on behalf oftions involved in major international events such as the review
the DSND, IRSN examined the chosen strategy for the dismanconference of the non-proliferation treaty and the Internationaltling and cleanup of facilities and for managing the associatedAtomic Energy Agency’s international conference on nuclear
waste and effluent.
security.

IR SN - Annual report 20 18

11

GOVERNANCE

GOVERNANCESENIOR MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AS OF FEBRUARY 1, 2019

GOVERNANCELouis-Michel GUILLAUME
Deputy Director General,in charge of Defense-related missions

ORGANIZATION CHART AS OF FEBRUARY 1, 2019

Executive Director for
Scientific Assessment
François BRÉCHIGNAC

Deputy Director General,in charge of Nuclear Safety
Thierry CHARLES

Knowledge Management
Director
Martial JOREL

François BRÉCHIGNAC
Executive Director for Scientific Assessment
Martial JOREL
Knowledge Management Director

Jean-Bernard CHÉRIÉDeputy Director General,in charge of administrative affairs

Patrice BUESO
Director of Strategy, Development
and Partnerships

Thierry CHARLES
Deputy Director Generalin charge of Nuclear Safety

Director General
Jean-Christophe NIEL

Deputy Director General,in charge of Defense-related
missions
Louis-Michel GUILLAUME

Jean-Marc PÉRES
Deputy Director Generalin charge of Health and Environment

Jean-Christophe NIEL
Director General

Deputy Director General,in charge of Healthand Environment
Jean-Marc PÉRES

Executive Director
for Emergency Response
Jean-Marc PÉRES (i.t.c.*)

Deputy Director General,in charge of administrative affairs
Jean-Bernard CHÉRIÉInspector General
and Quality Officer
Sylvie SUPERVIL

Marie-Pierre BIGOT
Director of Communications
Cyril PINEL
Director of International Affairs
Michel ENAULT
Director of Human Resources
Jérôme JOLY
Senior Advisor
Sylvie SUPERVIL
Inspector General and Quality Officer

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEEAS OF FEBRUARY 1, 2019

Senior Advisor
Jérôme JOLYFUNCTIONAL AND SUPPORT DIVISIONSStrategy, Development
and Partnerships
Patrice BUESOInternational affairs
Cyril PINEL

Financial, Businessand Legal Affairs
Didier DEMEILLERS

Communications
Marie-Pierre BIGOT

Security, Assets
and Information Systems
Jean BATTISTON

Human resources
Michel ENAULT

Jean-Marie MATTÉI Didier LOUVAT* Patrice BUESO
Martial JOREL Pierre PIQUEMAL-LAGORRE

Accounting Office
Pierre PIQUEMAL-LAGORRELouis-Michel GUILLAUME Sylvie SUPERVIL Jean-Christophe NIEL
Cyril PINEL Frédéric MÉNAGEOPERATIONAL DIVISIONSDefense, Security
and Non-proliferation
Louis-Michel GUILLAUME

Nuclear safety
Thierry CHARLES

Health and Environment
Jean-Marc PÉRES

Nuclear Defense Expertise
Laurent MANDARD

Nuclear Safety Expertise
Frédéric MÉNAGE

HealthJean-Christophe GARIEL

Safety Research
Véronique ROUYER

Environment
François BESNUS

Systems, New Reactors
and Safety Initiatives
Karine HERVIOU* in temporary capacity
12

IR SN - Annual report 20 18International Business
Development
Jean-Marie MATTÉIMarie-Pierre BIGOT Thierry CHARLES Jean BATTISTON
Jean-Marc PÉRESJean-Christophe GARIEL Didier DEMEILLERS
Karine HERVIOU Jérôme JOLY François BESNUS* ENSTTI** Riskaudit

Jean-Bernard CHÉRIÉMichel CHOUHA**

Michel ENAULT Véronique ROUYER François BRÉCHIGNAC
Laurent MANDARD
IR SN - Annual report 20 18

13

S TRATEGIC CHALLENGESS TRATEGIC CHALLENGESSTRATEGICORIENTATIONSA NEW ROAD MAP FOR THE COMING YEARS

A year of evaluating past achievements and looking ahead,2018 was the last year of the Performance Target Agreement
2014-2018 between the French state and IRSN, and the year
in which its implementation during that period was assessed.
2018 also saw the preparation and approval of a new
Agreement for the period 2019-2023. This important taskof reflection on the governance documents benefited fromthe assessment of IRSN by the High Council for Evaluationof Research and Higher Education (Hcéres) and the internal
IRSN 2030 initiative, and involved many of the Institute’s staff
and its institutional partners.

REPORT ON THE PERFORMANCETARGET AGREEMENT 2014-2018
The Performance Target Agreement 20142018 between the French state and IRSN
came to an end in 2018, and was evaluatedin a report in preparation for the next agreement. A key element of IRSN’s governance,
the Performance Target Agreement 20142018 focused on three main areas: aintaining world-class research to advancemnuclear safety and prepare the expert
assessment capability of tomorrow;e ffectively deploying the know-how and
resources necessary to assess and prevent
nuclear and radiological risks;
increasing openness towards a societyincreasingly concerned about nuclear andradiological risks.
These strategic areas serve as the basis fordefining operational targets in IRSN’s fieldsof activity, i.e. safety, nuclear security andnon-proliferation, human and environmental
radiation protection, emergency response andaspects related to post-accident situations.
In the 2014-2018 period, expert assessments
by IRSN played a key role in the managementof major national issues, including:t
he review of the operating license
application for the Flamanville EPR;

14

IR SN - Annual report 20 18the safety assessment of the future
geological disposal facility for nuclear
waste;
the review of the compliance of nuclear
facilities with the new requirements forthe protection and control of nuclear
materials;
e fforts to improve the performance of theradiation protection system and, in particular, to enhance knowledge of humanand environmental exposure to ionizing
radiation, including in the field of medical
applications;d evelopment of policies and improvementof national organizations responsible
for radiological or nuclear emergency
response.
In parallel, IRSN also performed expert
assessments in a large number unscheduled cases with major safety implications,requiring a high degree of responsivenessfrom IRSN’s teams, e.g. on carbon segregation in the closure head domes of the EPR
reactor at Flamanville and in the steam
generators of reactors in operation, andon the strength of the dike at the Tricastin
nuclear power plant.
IRSN’s research activity was sustained,with the development in 2015 of the scientific strategy for the next 10 years andIn brief
Appointment of IRSN’s new
Ethics Commission
IRSN’s new Ethics Commission, which
now has seven members, met for the firsttime on October 5, 2018.
Working alongside the Board of Directors,
the Ethics Commission is a consultative
body responsible for advising IRSN on
drafting codes of ethics applicable toits various activities and for monitoring
their application. In particular it monitors
the separation maintained within IRSN
between its expert assessments performed
for government departments and those
performed as a commercial service.
A review is planned in 2019-2020 of
IRSN’s implementation of its Code of
Ethics and Professional Conduct adopted
in 2013 and its Charter on Openness toSociety signed in 2009.

participation in European (Euratom H2020)and national projects (Investments for the
Future program). These projects in particularenabled the research identified following the
Fukushima-Daiichi accident to be pursued ingreater depth. IRSN’s commitment to research
was highlighted by Hcéres in its evaluation.
Having the ability to conduct experiments,
whether analytical or integral, is vital to guarantee the standard of the targeted researchcarried out by IRSN. Consequently, for the 20142018 period, IRSN focused on the deploymentof large experimental infrastructure, particularly in the field of radiation protection, with
the Mircom facility, which can perform irradiation at subcellular level, the MICADO-LAB
irradiator for studying the effects of ionizing
radiation on plant and animal species, and
the PARISII platform for studying the effects
of chronic exposure through internal contamination with various different radionuclides,
including uranium, cesium and strontium.

As regards openness to society, IRSN was
active in three main areas:the transparency of its expert assessment
work, which became a requirement in 2015
with the energy transition act for green
growth, through the publication of IRSN’sopinions where these are not related todefense;building skills within society, leadingto technical discussions on technicallycomplex subjects: continued operation of
the 900 MW reactors beyond their 40-year
life, carbon segregation problems in theclosure head domes of the EPR reactor,
waste disposal, etc;
taking account of stakeholders’ concerns inresearch programs, with the work of IRSN’s
Research Policy Committee, stakeholder
involvement in putting together European
projects, etc.

Finally, in line with the government’s modernization policies, IRSN is continuing to work on
improving its governance and management,in particular by managing changes in its skills
pool, managing its technical resources, andimproving its procurement performance andbudgetary management.

MAIN ORIENTATIONS OF THE
PERFORMANCE TARGET AGREEMENT
2019-2023
The draft Performance Target Agreement
for the 2019-2023 period was approved by
the Board of Directors on December 4, 2018
and signed by the supervising ministries on
January 10, 2019. It was based on discussions
held from February 2018 onwards with representatives from the supervisory ministries, safety
and security authorities and the administrations to which IRSN provides technical support.

ZOOM
DRAFTING OF THE MEDIUM-TERM PLAN
Alongside the preparation of the Performance Target Agreement 20192023 and in response to the themes and objectives set out in it, IRSN has
drawn up the Medium-Term Plan 2019-2023. This document explains
the activities and resources planned by IRSN for research and expert
assessment, and for its functional and support missions.
It is based in particular on documents describing the expert assessment
challenges in the next 10 years for reactors, laboratories and plants,
and on research approaches breaking down IRSN’s scientific strategy bytheme. These approaches, which were finalized in 2018, were based onrecommendations made by the Scientific Council and the Research Policy
Committee. Contextual information such as the results of scientificassessments, preparation for the ninth European framework programfor research, and the closure of France’s national ‘Nuclear Safety andRadiation Protection Research’ program were also taken into accountwhen planning the research actions.
With regard to expert assessment, IRSN will be involved in dealing withthe major national nuclear safety and security and radiation protection
issues: the central spent fuel pool project; the Cigeo disposal facility;
extension of the life of 900 MW reactors; the EPR reactor; the ITER
project; the new generation nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine;
dismantling decommissioned facilities; nuclear facility security and thefight against cybercrime; and preparation for radiological and nuclear
emergencies.

The draft contains the following objectives:maintaining the quality of IRSN’s expert
assessment by providing operational support
to the public authorities, contributing to
public policy development and deployment
and to the promotion of French approaches
to safety and radiation protection among
our foreign counterparts, particularly within
the ETSON network;d eploying the scientific strategy andconducting high-level research, by encouraging the emergence of partnerships, promoting IRSN’s experimental platforms, andstrengthening ties with the academic world;
permanently establishing and developing
the policy of transparency and openness tosociety, by supporting the building of skills
within civil society, contributing to a regulardialog with stakeholders and taking accountof their expectations in IRSN’s researchorientations;adapting the support it gives to the authorities and government departments to copewith changes in the nature of nuclear andradiological emergency situations, bydeveloping a response capability for NRBC
emergencies and by reinforcing its action on
post-accident situations;running IRSN responsibly, by ensuring its
governance and management is consistent
with government modernization policies,
by reinforcing its technical and financial
management, by managing knowledge anddeveloping skills, and by pursuing a sociallyand environmentally responsible policy inrelation to the management of its humanand financial resources and its assets.
The objectives set out in the Performance
Target Agreement reflect the French state’s
expectations of IRSN and also IRSN’s desire
for excellence, independence, anticipationand sharing, pursued by the IRSN 2030
initiative.

Based on the assumption that public funding will be maintained at 2018
levels for the next five years, achieving a balance between research andexpert assessment activities will require a more efficient use of funds,
which means controlling the way they are structured and spent, pooling
resources, and making the most efficient use of IRSN’s platforms in thecontext of structuring and strategic partnerships.

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15

S TRATEGIC CHALLENGESS TRATEGIC CHALLENGESZOOMSCIENTIFICEXCELLENCE
For its research, IRSN is developing a strategy based on acquiring anddeveloping knowledge, and on comparison with other practices. Its
participation in national, European and international networks enables
it to make best use of the practices and work of other organizations
it collaborates with and to promote its priorities for the orientationof research programs. By sharing its experience and methods anddisseminating the results of its research, IRSN also opens up opportunities
to promote its platforms more widely within the scientific community.

A STRONGER SCIENTIFIC ANDTECHNICAL PARTNERSHIP WITH
THE CEA
Based on the research needs expressed by IRSN
and the CEA in safety and radiation protection,
the desire expressed in 2017 to strengthen thescientific partnership between the two bodies
aims to broaden the scope of their knowledge
acquisition by leveraging the complementary
aspects of their teams and sharing their existingand planned research resources and infrastructure more extensively. The first exchanges,
which took place in 2018 with the joint organization of two science days, also reflect their
desire to jointly promote their research teams
within the European radiation protection andenvironmental research arena. A radiobiology
colloquium at the end of January 2018 brought
together 150 participants from the CEA and
IRSN to discuss the main research programs
being run in this field. The colloquium was run
under the aegis of France’s High Commissioner
for Atomic Energy and the Director General of
IRSN, and followed an internal CEA/IRSN callfor proposals aimed at increasing collaboration and supporting joint project development.
Two collaborative projects received special
funding as a result of this and are helping toboost partnerships between teams at the
Fontenay-aux-Roses site, which hosts the mainradiobiology teams of the CEA and IRSN.
The first will analyze the mechanisms that cause
the persistence of breaks in the two strands of
DNA subject to ionizing radiation. The second
should characterize the contribution of a
recently identified type of mesenchymal stem
cell, known as a MUSE cell, to the treatment ofa gastrointestinal syndrome caused by intense
irradiation of the intestinal area, for which noeffective treatment is available.
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A second science day was organized in
September on the impact of radionuclides inthe environment. It gave teams working in
the field of environmental science, including
radioecology and radiotoxicology, the opportunity to gain a clearer picture of the areasof common interest and the complementaryknowledge, know-how and tools held by thetwo bodies. A closer relationship between theteams should raise the profile of their workwithin Europe, looking ahead to the transition
to the ninth European research and innovation framework program.

EVALUATION OF IRSN BY HCERESThe High Council for Evaluation of Researchand Higher Education (Hcéres) published
its evaluation report on IRSN as a researchestablishment. This evaluation looked at
IRSN’s strategy, organization and governanceof its research.

Two new projects involving IRSN
were awarded funding by the ANR in
2018. The DISRUPT project aims to
improve the analysis of ruptures offaults observed on the Earth’s surface
following an earthquake, in orderto detect a link with the earthquake
characteristics, which would open up
new perspectives in terms of seismic
hazard. The IXBONE project aims tofind strategies for bone regenerationin cases of facial bone hyperplasia
following radiotherapy treatmentof cancer of the upper airways ordigestive tract.

71

70

3 months later63

60

6 months later

50
40

46 43
33

30

1 year later

44
33

31
23

2 years later37

3 years later

24
17

20

8

10

2 2

0

Fixed-term
contracts

Permanent
contractsseeking
employment

4 6 3

1

4

other
situations

80
70

30

37

1 year later (110 doctors)

41 43

37

33
26

26
16

20
10
0

6 months later (110 doctors)

53

50
40

3 months later (110 doctors)

61

60

Employment situation (by time elapsed since defending thesis)

39

2 years later (83 doctors)
3 years later (61 doctors)

28
11
3 5

Fixed-term
contracts

Permanent
contractsseeking
employment

5 5 6

8 7

other
situations

Employment situation (by time elapsed since defending thesis)

Employment outcomes for doctors leaving IRSN, 2007 to 2015 cohorts, by type of contract and situation (%). The key on the right shows in color the time elapsed since
they defended their thesis and specifies the number of doctors (always 115 in the 2007 to 2011 cohorts). The 2 to 4% ‘lost’ are not represented separately but are includedin the figures.

In brief

In particular Hcéres highlighted IRSN’s
identity, which is strong both internally andexternally, its high profile and internationalrecognition, and its active participation ins truct uring Euro pean research. It alsomentioned IRSN’s policy of openness to society,which creates a climate of trust with its partners. The report also made recommendations,such as strengthening its partnerships with theacademic world, developing a more assertive
institutional profile in the national and international research arena, and achieving better
governance of IRSN’s activities in this area.
These conclusions are an endorsement of
IRSN’s commitment to research but also thechanges it has begun to make to its strategicorientations, organizational structure and theway it works. Important actions in recent years,
particularly the release of its scientific strategy
and the development of documents settingout its approach to research by theme, havebegun to bear fruit. Although the ‘Upgrading
functional and support services’ project naturally takes into consideration the evaluation’s
structural recommendations, further targeted
action has also been agreed. Accordingly, IRSN
is stepping up its policy of promoting its infrastructure through structural partnerships, and atrial of the use of project mode for research has
begun, with the implementation of initiatives
resulting from the IRSN 2030 call for proposals.

ASSESSMENT OF TRAINING
THROUGH RESEARCHIRSN takes on and trains doctoral students andpost-doctoral researchers ‘in and for research’ aspart of its normal research activities. In addition,
IRSN’s commitment to its doctoral students
includes a special internal training curriculum, theorganization of annual ‘Thesis Days’ specificallyfor these students, where they present the

progress of their research, and preparation forthe period after they complete their thesis.
The hundred or so doctoral students and postdocs present at any time of year represent a thirdof IRSN’s researchers (full time equivalent).
IRSN’s policy of training in and throughresearch also helps to build important links
with the academic world. Almost half of thedoctoral research is conducted with partner
research organizations.
IRSN also aims to maintain a high levelof employability and therefore tracks theemployment outcomes of its former doctoral
students and post-docs. Since 2007, out of
225 young doctors leaving IRSN, 90 to 95%
had found a job three years later. Of these, 61
to 71% were in permanent employment, whichmatches the national average according toministerial surveys (MESRI/SIES and CEREQ).

Exploratory research
to encourage innovation
Three new exploratory
research projects began in 2018,
and two projects launched 12 to
18 months earlier were completed
or were coming to an end. One
aims to develop digital tools formodeling microstructural changes
in a MOX fuel matrix and also formodeling the release of fission
products; the other is looking at
the development of new dosimetry
approaches suitable for accident
situations involving large-scale
external exposure.
In the last 12 years IRSN
has supported more than 30
exploratory research projects
in addition to its programmed
research, in order to harness
its researchers’ innovation andcreativity.

ZOOM

In brief
Boost for ANR
and PIA projects

80

Employment outcomes for IRSN doctoral students after
defending their thesis (2012 to 2015 cohorts)
Proportions (% of the 110 to 61 doctors)

Proportions (% of the 115 doctors)

Employment outcomes for IRSN doctoral students after
defending their thesis (2007 to 2011 cohorts)

KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT:AN OPERATIONAL ACTIVITY FOR THE CIVIL SECTORAt the same time, three of theseven ‘Nuclear safety and radiation
protection research’ projects run
by IRSN as part of the national
Investments for the Future program(PIA) supported by the General
Commission for Investment received
further support in 2018 for extensions
with an industrial focus: MITHYGÈNE,aimed at improving knowledge ofhydrogen risk and its management insevere accidents; MIRE, which aims
to reduce the radioactive releases
that can occur as a result of a severe
accident; and PRIODAC, whichaims to determine the procedures
for administering stable iodine topeople in areas affected by repeated
accidental radioactive releases.

IRSN has launched a knowledge management initiative
to give it an overview of the key knowledge it needs
currently and in future in order to fulfill its missions.
In 2018 its operational network of knowledge
management coordinators (CMCs) was completed.
The coordinators (there are 26) are responsible fororganizing and leading knowledge management activities
in their respective units in areas related to safety, healthand the environment.
To complement previous work, strategic knowledge
analyses have continued in the areas of safety of facilities
other than pressurized water reactors, and R&D insafety. A review of the strategic knowledge analysis has
been launched in the area of the environment.
Analysis of the way knowledge is structured means that
information databases can be created, to be used forreference. These assets constitute IRSN’s store ofknowledge. The database containing information related
to the production of safety assessments over morethan 40 years has now been supplemented with similar
information for health and the environment. The earliest
documents are now being added.
Capitalization on the knowledge of critical ‘knowledgeholders’ has led to the production of new ‘booksof knowledge’, notably on the following subjects:‘Non-destructive testing of metals: controls for theirsimulation’; ‘Issues, methods and applications of level 2
probabilistic safety assessments’.
All this information has been made accessible internallythrough the ‘knowledge portal’, which is the single pointof access to all the knowledge produced by IRSN in any
subject area. To make it easier to find knowledge withinthese documentary databases, a special tool has beendeveloped and deployed.

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17

S TRATEGIC CHALLENGESS TRATEGIC CHALLENGES

OPENNESSTO SOCIETY
Listening to public concerns is an essential component of the
public debate about risks. In application of its Charter on
Openness to Society and its Performance Target Agreement,
IRSN is continuing its technical dialog with multiple partners.
The aim of IRSN’s approach of transparency about its workand sharing of its expertise through a regular dialog withsociety is to help members of the public to forge their own
opinions. Openness initiatives, which have historicallyconcerned the subjects of expert assessments, are now
expanding into the field of research. They enable IRSN’s
experts and researchers to better understand society’s
questions and concerns, and to take account of them in theirexpert assessments and research.

SAFETY ISSUES: INITIATIVES TOGATHER QUESTIONS FROM CIVIL
SOCIETY
Joint ANCCLI/IRSN initiatives concerning
safety reviews continued to be run nationallyin 2018. The fourth periodic reviews of
900 MW reactors pose a particular issue
for society because of plans to extend theoperating life of these reactors and becauseof the need to take account of experience
feedback from the Fukushima accident. In
2018, Anccli, ASN and IRSN continued theirtechnical dialog, begun in 2017, on the fourth
periodic reviews. The main objective of thisprocess is to gather questions from civilsociety while the three partners examine thethemes in question, so that these issues canbe addressed as a priority in the dialog. Afteran initial meeting in 2017 on compliance andaging, two further meetings were held in Juneon internal and external hazards and on severe
accidents and the post-Fukushima hardened
safety core.
The 460 questions asked at these meetings
were collected and categorized by theme(review process, aging, severe accidents,
hazards, compliance, pools, vessels, fuel cycle,
containments, objectives, security, transport,
human and organizational factors, subcontracting, post-Fukushima, PSAs, etc.).
Since September 2018, this process of gathering stakeholders’ questions has continued
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IR SN - Annual report 20 18

as part of the public consultation organizedunder the HCTISN’s supervision by EDF,
ASN, Anccli and IRSN in the presence of two
observers from the French National Public
Debate Commission (CNDP).
As part of this public consultation, IRSN istaking part in meetings organized with the local
information commissions (press conferences,
general information meetings, themed workshops). The first few meetings (the commissions at Dampierre, Bugey, Tricastin, Cruas,Saint-Laurent-des-Eaux and Le Blayais) werevery well attended. IRSN aims to answer
questions on technical subjects within thescope of its expertise, in its opinions or on thewebsite set up for the public consultation.

FURTHER DIALOG WITH LOCALINFORMATION COMMISSIONSIRSN continues to make its teams and its
knowledge available to the local information commissions. In 2018 IRSN received a
total of around 50 information requests fromthe local information commissions, of whicharound 15 prompted contributions to public
meetings or special training courses. IRSN also
expanded its network of representatives in thecommissions as a result of requests from theFlamanville and Chinon local informationcommissions, bringing to 10 the number ofcommissions that have requested permanent
support from IRSN.

In brief
Involvement in Alliss
IRSN has joined a collaborative
project run by the Alliss association,
which promotes links between scienceand society, to start research on chronic
exposure and multiple exposure
situations. Following a discussion
seminar held on May 31 and June 1,
research actions are currently being
defined. IRSN’s participation ininitiatives of this kind enables it to try
out new forms of research involving
stakeholders, and to benefit fromtheir experience feedback so that it
can respond more effectively to thechallenges facing society.

LOCAL AND REGIONAL ACTIONSRELATED TO RADON
To develop a closer relationship with civilsociety, IRSN is developing local and regional
actions in Franche-Comté and Haute-Vienne,
to complement the national radon management policy, with the aim of demonstrating
the effectiveness of action to help residents
manage the risk. On the basis of this initiative, IRSN organized a local seminar with all
the partners involved, to share experiencesfrom this local radon initiative. Experiences
regarding knowledge of the levels of exposure
to radon in homes, implementation of appropriate remedial action, and lessons learned inother European countries were explained anddiscussed to enrich the reflection process for
those dealing with the increase in interest in
this problem.

EUROPEAN TERRITORIES PROJECT:
A REFLECTION WORKSHOP ON
POST-ACCIDENT ISSUES
As part of its international action, IRSN helda themed workshop on managing land after
a nuclear accident, organized in conjunction with the Blayais local nuclear information commission and the Nuclear Protection
Assessment Center (CEPN). The workshop washeld in Bordeaux in December as part of workfor the European TERRITORIES research project
run by IRSN. This program involving eight
European countries aims to develop a graduated, integrated method of reducing uncertainties during decision-making regarding
the management of long-term contaminatedlands, while taking into account the involvement of all stakeholders. The workshop tiedin with one of the themes of the TERRITORIES
project to engage stakeholders and takeaccount of their expectations in decisionmaking processes concerning different situations of long-term exposure to radionuclides.
It was one a set of three events organizedin parallel, in France, Spain and Belgium, toachieve the objective of comparison between
Member States.
Personal testimonies from Japanese andBelorussian speakers involved in restoring
living conditions after the Fukushima-Daiichi
and Chernobyl accidents enabled Frenchattendees to grasp the scale of the difficulties
and challenges for agriculture when faced witha long-term post-accident situation. Having
heard these experiences, a panel of local
stakeholders met to research the mediumand long-term challenges and socioeconomic
uncertainties that they would face, in light of
their knowledge of the characteristics of theirlocal area.

INVOLVING SOCIETY IN ISSUESRELATED TO THE EFFECTS OF
RADIOACTIVITY ON HEALTH
As part of its dialog with civil society, in March2018 IRSN organized a joint discussion seminarwith Anccli on the subject of ‘Radioactivity and50

requests for IRSN involvement
received from local informationcommissions

Public meeting on December 13, 2018 at Saint-Laurent-Nouan (Loir-et-Cher) as part of the consultation
with civil society on the fourth ten-yearly outage inspections of 900 MW reactors.

health: where are we at?’. This meeting followedon from a seminar in November 2015 on radioactivity in the environment and its effects on health.
It aimed to pass on to stakeholders knowledge
gained through expert assessments and research,
mainly conducted by IRSN, so they could form
their own opinions about the risks related toradioactivity. In particular the seminar provided
an opportunity to discuss the link between radiation exposure and health. It was also a chance
to review the results of studies of populations
living near nuclear sites and personnel working
at these facilities, and to discuss the questionof accident and post-accident situations. Tworound table discussions enriched the debate:‘Certainties and controversies’, and ‘Healthmonitoring: how can it be improved?’. They
provided an opportunity for questions about
the definition of a dose and its calculation, andabout the situation for contractors.

PREPARATION FOR THE PUBLIC
DEBATE ON RADIOACTIVE WASTE
MANAGEMENT
Assistance was sought from IRSN as part ofpreparations for the public debate organizedby the CNDP with a view to the drafting of
the fifth National Radioactive Materials andWaste Management Plan (PNGMDR). The
public debate is scheduled for 2019. IRSN’s
Director General presented to the chair of theSpecial Committee for Public Debates (CPDP)
the subjects that he felt should be discussed
as a priority in this debate. IRSN also contributed to the reflection process initiated by theCommittee, explaining the options in the
PNGMDR that are a matter of scientific ortechnical debate.

ZOOM
WORK DONE BY THE RESEARCH POLICYCOMMITTEE ON POST-ACCIDENT SITUATIONSIRSN’s Research Policy Committee mandated a working group of
its own members to examine in more depth questions related tothe aftermath of a nuclear accident, in light of experience feedback
from the Chernobyl and Fukushima-Daiichi accidents. The working
group looked at the medium and long-term consequences, after
the emergency phase, and examined all aspects related to theprotection of populations, their movements, and living conditions incontaminated lands. Recommendations were made as a result of thework, including making greater use of research, particularly throughthe presentation of an overall strategy for the research done at IRSN
on post-accident situations, and public involvement well before thestart of research on post-accident management.

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19

CIVIL NUCLEAR FACILITIES01
IRSN’s role as an assessor in the field of nuclear safety concerns
nuclear reactors, fuel cycle facilities, research facilities and thetransport of radioactive material. IRSN issues an assessment of thesafety of these facilities and transport, which it submits to publicauthorities. IRSN also seeks to foster discussion on fundamental
issues with civil society.

ASSESSMENT OF SPENT FUELSTORAGEASSESSMENT OF THE “IMPACT
OF THE FUEL CYCLE 2016” FILE

At the request of the French Parliamentary
Committee of Inquiry into the Safety andSecurity of Nuclear Facilities, IRSN produced
a summary report on dry and pool storageof spent fuel assemblies and the associatedsafety issues in France and around the world.
IRSN concludes in this report that the two
types of storage do not meet exactly the samerequirements: pool storage is required for fuelthat has hardly cooled whereas dry storage issuitable for fuel that has cooled significantly.
Residual heat must be taken into consideration in the choice of storage type and constitutes the deciding factor from the perspectiveof safety and the intended storage time, which
depends on the chosen fuel cycle. Moreover,storage in pools, generally containing
hotter fuel, requires more substantial safetymeasures than dry storage, for which morepassive measures can be implemented. In dry
storage, however, cladding (the first containment barrier) is subject to greater thermal
stress and is more difficult to inspect.

In May 2018, IRSN presented to ASN theconclusions of its assessment of the Impact of
the Fuel Cycle 2016 file (Impact Cycle 2016)
submitted by EDF and written alongsideothers involved in the nuclear fuel cycle.
For each stage of the cycle, the file presents
the consequences of EDF’s strategy of using
different types of fuel in its reactors over the next
10 years.
In its assessment of the file, IRSN noted that,in terms of safety and radiation protection,
the impact of current management solutions
for reactor fuel and those planned up until
2030 on French fuel cycle facilities and transport does not indicate any major technicalissues over this period. However, the measuresplanned by operators to address the saturation of certain storage facilities (for depleted
uranium, spent fuel assemblies, etc.) must
be implemented in accordance with forecast schedules. For this file, EDF conducted astudy into the risk of fuel cycle facility failure(unavailability for several months). IRSN
considered this initial assessment of theserisks to the fuel cycle to be satisfactory on thewhole, but noted that it needs to be developed further. Furthermore, IRSN highlights
the importance of analyzing the consequencesof reactor shutdown, in accordance with theenergy transition act for green growth, on theoperation of the whole cycle, given that theconsequences are different depending on thefuel used in the reactors that are shut down.

DEVELOPING AN EXPERT SYSTEMIN THE FIELD OF FIRE RISKFOURTH PERIODIC REVIEW OF 900 MWE REACTORSIn 2018, the assessments conducted for thesafety review of 900 Mwe series reactors associated with the fourth ten-yearly inspections (VD4900) required extensive use of the Institute’s
assessment capabilities (66 full-time equivalents
worked).
In particular, IRSN assessed the measures implemented by EDF to successfully manage the ageingof these reactors and presented its report to theAdvisory Committee for Reactors (GPR) andthe Advisory Committee for Nuclear Pressure
Equipment (GPESPN). It also continued toassess design-basis accident studies, level 1 and
2 probabilistic safety assessments and studies
of internal and external hazards as well as severe
accident studies, with a view to presenting its
conclusions to the GPR in 2019 at the four dedicated meetings. In addition, the in-service performance of 900 MWe reactor vessels between the
two ten-yearly inspections was subject to a firstreview, which was presented to the GPESPN andwill be concluded in 2019 by a second assessment.
This generally entails assessing the relevance anddemonstrative nature of the studies submitted by
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IR SN - Annual report 20 18

EDF, evaluating the adequacy of the changes
proposed by EDF with regard to the objectivesof the VD4 900 safety review (in particular
working towards the safety objectives definedfor third-generation reactors), and ensuringthat the reactors can continue to be operated
over the coming decade.
In 2018, IRSN continued the round of technical dialogue with civil society undertaken in 2017 in partnership with ASN and
ANCCLI. This follows on from the work carriedout since 2014 on the safety objectives
involved in periodic reactor safety reviews.
This technical dialogue provides discussions
with stakeholders while the technical review isbeing conducted and before any decisions are
made, in order to apprehend the expectations
and concerns of members of the local information commission (CLI), associations andnon-institutional experts, and support efforts
to build their skills in particularly complex
areas. After an initial meeting at the end of2017 on the subject of compliance control
and reactor ageing, a second meeting was heldon June 11, 2018 on internal and external
hazards. A third meeting took place onJune 26, 2018 on severe accidents andthe implementation of a hardened safety
core following the Fukushima-Daiichi
accident.
These discussions are held in parallel withthe public consultation on the generalphase of the safety review, organized from
September 2018 to March 2019 under theaegis of the French High Committee forTransparency and Information on Nuclear
Safety (HCTISN), with the support of IRSN.

66

FTE (full time equivalent) employees
assigned to the fourth periodic reviewof 900 MW reactors in 2018

IRSN has developed a Bayesian networkbased expert system (ES) to study the effectsof gas pressure as a result of fire in nuclear
facilities. Expert systems are computer
systems that use artificial intelligence toemulate the decision-making ability of anexpert. Expert systems are composed of aknowledge base containing the general information that constitutes its field of application
and an observation base that gathers contingent information, based on which new information can be deduced. An inference engine,composed of a set of algorithms, conveys dataflows from the observation base through theknowledge base.
The ES developed relies on simulations
provided by the SYLVIA software, used tomodel facility fires and ventilation systems,
coupled with the statistical tool SUNSET,
which offers a set of data processing methods
for risk analysis. Both programs were developed by IRSN. The SE means that extensive
databases can be processed almost instantaneously and that a decision-making tool isfinally available for assessing fire risk.

P²REMICS, A NEW SOFTWAREPROGRAM TO ASSESS EXPLOSIONRISKS
In order to assess risks linked to hydrogen
during a nuclear reactor severe accident, IRSN
has developed a software called P²REMICS. For
this purpose, IRSN has formed a cooperative
network, largely associating French universities
and National Center for Scientific Research(CNRS) laboratories. P²REMICS simulates
the formation of explosive atmospheres,
then the deflagration of the reactive mixtureof hydrogen and oxygen. Moreover, it canalso be used to calculate dust deposition andaerosol transfer, to simulate the interaction ofa spray safety system with the containment
atmosphere, and to take into account theeffect of hydrogen recombiners.

The P2REMICS v1.0 code has been put througha verification process consisting of 16 test
cases and a validation process using 25 experimental tests. It has already been used in intercomparison exercises carried out nationally,such as the MITHYGENE project supportedby the Investment in the Future Program, andinternationally, such as in projects run by theOECD Nuclear Energy Agency (OECD NEA).

In brief
Periodic safety review
IRSN examined the periodic safety
review report on Framatome’s plantin Romans-sur-Isère intended fornuclear fuel fabrication for research
reactors (INB 63). It concluded
that the measures chosen for thecontinued operation of this facility
were satisfactory, given the safety
improvements implemented or definedin the licensee’s action plan andon condition that the actions identified
as priorities are carried out on time.
IRSN’s review also revealed thatthe analysis laboratory at this
INB does not comply with current
safety standards. IRSN considers
that operation of this laboratory
may continue for a limited time
considering the improvements madeby the licensee – provided that theradioactive inventory is significantly
reduced – but that a new laboratory
will need to be built in the long run.

11

technical reviews performed
to support ASN Advisory
Committee meetings
regarding safety

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21

CIVIL NUCLEAR FACILITIESINTERNATIONAL SEMINAR
ON CHEMICAL RISKS IN FUELCYCLE FACILITIESThe international seminar on the safety offuel cycle facilities, organized by IRSN andthe OECD NEA in April 2018, focused on
the theme of chemical risks. The main topic
for discussion was the safety of processes
involving chemicals, particularly the measurestaken against criticality risks and risks linked
to corrosion, fire or explosion.
The seminar held as part of the NEA working
group activities on fuel cycle safety provided
an opportunity for in-depth discussions
between safety authorities, technical safety
organizations (TSOs) and operators based in
NEA member countries. IRSN presented its
R&D programs on four major subjects relatingto spent fuel reprocessing: the risks generated by the formation of red oils; corrosion
phenomena in certain industrial systems; radiolysis phenomena; and ruthenium behavior inhigh-level liquid waste.
Based on these discussions, a series of generalrecommendations were issued particularly
concerning risk assessment (integration of
feedback on chemical release; design of a
graduated approach to chemical risks bynational regulatory organizations; etc.) andmeasures for managing accident situations(consideration of all the chemicals likely to bereleased on a site in emergency plans; suitability of detection measures for thesesubstances; etc.).

MANAGING DISMANTLING WASTE
At the request of ASN and ASND, IRSN
reviewed Orano and CEA’s strategies for thedismantling of shut down nuclear facilities,
including the recovery of legacy waste andmanagement of radioactive waste. Given thelarge number of operations involved in facility
dismantling, Orano and CEA have determinedpriorities for addressing aspects of safety andradiation protection.
The operations prioritized and the objectives chosen for these strategies (final state,etc.) were reviewed by IRSN, who recommended certain modifications. Furthermore,
the Institute looked into the availability ofresources required to support these operations (transport containers, waste treatment
facilities, etc.). It identified the resources thatare critical for prioritized operations.

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IR SN - Annual report 20 18

CIVIL NUCLEAR FACILITIESIn particular, IRSN’s review of radioactive
waste management strategies brought tolight issues related to the availability of waste
management solutions and the sharing ofrelated resources (waste processing facility at
CEA Cadarache (INB 37); liquid effluent treatment station at CEA Marcoule; type B transport containers for solid or liquid waste; etc.).
Finally, the review of organizational systems
set up by Orano and CEA to successfully
dismantle their facilities and manage waste
concluded that they are appropriate overall.

IAEA JOINT CONVENTION
ON THE SAFETY OF SPENT FUEL
AND WASTE MANAGEMENT
As part of its support to ASN, IRSN participatedin the review process planned under the
Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent FuelManagement and on the Safety of Radioactive
Waste Management. The objective of theconvention, of which France is a signatory, isto achieve and maintain a high level of safety
in this field worldwide.
IRSN contributed to preparations for the Sixth
Joint Convention Review Meeting, which washeld at the IAEA from May 21 to June 1, 2018.
To this end, the Institute analyzed 43 reports
submitted by the contracting parties to the
Joint Convention, and its experts participatedin the debates. IRSN also chaired a group in
charge of reviewing the reports of ten of thesignatory states.
The meeting highlighted the need for many
countries to make progress in implementing
disposal programs for spent fuel and high-level
waste as well as for sealed sources.

CRITICALITY SIMULATION: CRISTALMADE AVAILABLE TO THE NEA

SEISMIC FAILURE OF EMERGENCY
GENERATORSThe CRISTAL V2.0.2 computational package,used for assessing criticality risks in nuclear
fuel cycle facilities and in packages used totransport fissile materials, has now been
made available to the OECD NEA.
Fruit of a partnership between CEA, Framatome,
IRSN and Orano, the CRISTAL package draws
on a large experimental validation database containing the results of nearly 3,000
experiments conducted under various
research programs.
By making it available to the NEA, member
country organizations will be able tostrengthen their collaborative work on thesubject of criticality. It also gives industrial
operators the chance to use a benchmark tool
to support the criticality studies that they are
required to conduct as part of their projects inOECD member countries.

On June 20, 2017, EDF declared a significant
safety event, classed Level 2 on the INES
scale, due to the possible unavailability ofthe emergency diesel generators for all 1,300
MWe series reactors. Following inspections by
EDF, the declaration was updated to extend
it to all of the nuclear reactors at Bugey andFessenheim power plants in 2017, and to theSaint-Laurent B reactors and reactor 2 at the
Chinon B nuclear power plant in 2018.
Given the nonconformities identified, which
related to the anchoring of equipment
required for correct emergency generator
operation, resistance of the generators to a“seismic margin earthquake” (SME) or even a“maximum historically probable earthquake”(MHPE) could not be ensured. In the event ofan earthquake, this could have resulted in aninterruption in the power supply to the equip-

ment used to cool fuel, as well of a loss ofcooling function in spent fuel pools.
IRSN also emphasized the importancewith regard to safety of regular monitoring
combined with preventive maintenanceprograms, which should enable such deviations to be detected.
The nonconformities were addressed for all of
the reactors affected.

551

technical notices and reports
submitted to ASN (excluding
defense-related activities)

General view of Saint-Laurent-des-Eaux nuclear power plant (Loir et Cher).

In brief
IRSN’s review of
Orano and CEA’s
strategies forradioactive waste
management brought
to light issues related
to the availability of
waste management
solutions and thesharing of relatedresources.

International cooperation
An IRSN expert participatedin the international group
appointed by the Swiss Federal
Nuclear Safety Inspectorate
to assess the consequencesof indicated defects resulting
from the inclusion of aluminumoxide clusters in the reactor
1 vessel at the Beznau nuclear
power plant (Swiss Canton of
Aargau). The group concluded
that the clusters identified haveno negative impact on toughness
and mechanical strength undernormal or accident conditions.

IR SN - Annual report 20 18

23

FUT URE FACILITIESMONITORINGPROGRESS OF
THE EPR WORKSITE

02

In July 2018, IRSN presented its conclusions
to the ASN Advisory Committee for Reactors
on safety analysis report submitted by EDF
in 2015, in support of its operating license
application for the EPR reactor at Flamanvillein Normandy.
This review focused notably on organization and control resources, severe accident
management, safety of fuel handling andstorage, accident studies and systems design
as well as the provisions made to protect thefacility against external hazards. In its review,
IRSN did not find any major issues likely tojeopardize reactor commissioning, althoughadditional information is required from EDF, inparticular concerning the control of fire risks,
the water filtration function in the event of abreak in the reactor coolant system and pressurizer safety relief valves.
IRSN also assisted with commissioning tests
set up by EDF in order to ensure that the EPR
reactor complies with the requirements set up
in the safety analysis report. For this purpose,an IRSN expert was present on site during thetest phases from March 2017 to January 2018,
then occasionally in spring and summer 2018.
In particular, IRSN analyzed the test results
and the consequences of any deviations likely
to affect safety. Discussions on the subject areheld with the site on a weekly basis.
Furthermore, following deviations observedon the welds of the main steam lines, various
discussions were held with EDF and ASN aspart of the analysis of the upgrade program
presented by EDF (weld repairs and conductingof tests).

23

FTE (full time equivalent) employees
assigned by IRSN to the Flamanville 3
EPR assessment.

EPR Flamanville: IRSN follows the on site commissioning tests (above: positioning of the fuelling machinein the reactor vessel)

REVIEW OF SAFETY OPTIONS FOR THE NEW MODEL EPR
IRSN reviewed the safety options report for the third-generation new-model EPR
reactor (EPR NM) project submitted by EDF. At this stage, the choices made by EDF
do not call for comment, except for the increase in power: a choice not supported by
IRSN insofar as it would result in a reduction in safety margins. IRSN considers that amore in-depth analysis of technological breakthroughs could have been conducted,
taking into account experience feedback from EPR reactors. The Institute foundthat, at this stage in the development of the project, the design options retainedby EDF are likely to ensure a safety level for the EPR NM that is at least equivalent
to that of Flamanville EPR. It also pointed out that the simplified design makes thefacility more constructible and facilitates safe reactor operation. Finally, IRSN has
determined several areas that need to be reviewed upstream of any construction
license application: design methods for equipment and structures following “severe”
earthquakes; protection provisions against fires or explosions, etc.

IRSN examines the files and general orientations submitted by licensees for new
facilities or new transport containers.

24

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25

FUT URE FACILITIESA FIRST REFERENCE DOCUMENT
FOR NUCLEAR FUSION REACTORPROJECTSIRSN has published a new work in its reference
documents series entitled Nuclear Fusion
Reactors // Safety and Radiation Protection
Considerations for Demonstration Reactorsthat Follow the ITER Facility. Drawing on
IRSN’s expertise in safety and radiation protection, and the experience obtained during the
ITER safety analysis, this work constitutes afirst reference base for or projects to develop
nuclear fusion reactors.

DEFENSE SAFETY

In the report, IRSN details the measuresthat should be taken into consideration with regard to safety and radiation
protection when designing demonstration fusion reactors to be built after
the completion of the experimental
International Thermonuclear Experimental
Reactor (ITER) facility. It was presented at
the IAEA general conference.

SAFETY ASSESSMENTS OF DEFENSERELATED ACTIVITIES AND FACILITIES.

IRSN provides technical support
to the Representative in chargeof Nuclear Safety and Radiation
Protection for Defense-related
Activities and Facilities (DSND).
In the context of this work, IRSN
assesses the safety and radiation
protection of nuclear facilities andtransport within the DSND’s scopeof activity.

EDF CENTRALIZED STORAGE POOL
At the request of the ASN, IRSN reviewed thesafety options report for a centralized storage
pool for spent fuel assemblies submitted by
EDF in April 2017. In particular, IRSN analyzed the design choices, the safety approachto design and consideration of EDF’s objective of operating the facility for around one
hundred years.
In this respect, EDF presented measures toreduce the risks associated with hazards (APC
shell, semi-buried location, etc.) and loss ofcooling. Moreover, the operating life of the
facility is one of the criteria used to define thedesign options.
Given that the storage pool seal system issafety-sensitive area, IRSN considers that EDF
should develop its research on this topic in
the next stages of the project. Furthermore,as part of defense-in-depth, IRSN has recommended that EDF study the assumption ofa leak in a storage pool or a fuel assemblytransfer channel that cannot be offset inorder to further improve the safety level ofthe facility.

26

IR SN - Annual report 20 18

In May, the Reactor Safety Commission (CSR)
met for the seventh and last time as part of theoperating license procedure for the RES test
reactor. The meeting concluded the reviewof the intermediate safety analysis report for
the RES reactor that IRSN began in 2008. By
reproducing the operation of naval nuclear
propulsion systems on French submarines andthe Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier, the newreactor will contribute to the qualification ofequipment, fuel and computer codes in orderto improve their performance and safety level.
IRSN’s assessment, which explored 45
different subject areas, determined the
behavior of three containment barriers in an
accident situation and facility resistance tothe specific seismic risks at the Cadarache site.
Based on this assessment, the Representativein charge of Nuclear Safety and Radiation
Protection for Defense-related Activities andFacilities (DSND) granted the divergenceauthorization for the RES reactor.
© Philippe Dureuil/Médiathèque IRSN

Storage pool for spent
fuel assemblies at theSaint‑Laurent-des-Eauxnuclear power plant.

ASSESSMENT OF THE SAFETYREPORT COMPLETED ON
DIVERGENCE AUTHORIZATIONFOR THE RES REACTORASSESSMENT OF THE DISMANTLINGAND CLEANUP STRATEGY FOR
THE MORONVILLIERS SITE
Following the shutdown of activities at thePEM experiment center in Moronvilliers (nearReims), classed as a “defense-related nuclear
experimental facility and site” (SIENID), CEA
initiated a program to dismantle and cleanup
its site.

General view of the Marcoule site (Gard).

Managing the site is complex due to its
history: it has been classed as a Zone Rouge(Red Zone) since 1919 on account of the highrisk of explosion due to the innumerable
unexploded shells in the ground from the FirstWorld War.
Responsible for assessing CEA’s proposed
strategy, IRSN presented its report to the
Laboratory, Plant and Waste Management
Safety Commission (CSLUD) in March.
The assessment of this file with a high social
impact should enable the DSND to reach adecision on whether to issue the necessary
licenses for the operations planned by CEA.
Its conclusions will serve to create a reference
base for future cleanup files for French nuclear
sites at the end of their life cycle.

SAFETY REVIEW OF BITUMINIZEDWASTE DRUM STORAGE AT THE
MARCOULE INBS AND STUDIESFOR THE COMMISSIONING OF NEW
MODULESThe chemical treatment of liquid radioactive
waste produced by operations at the CEA
Marcoule center generates muds which areconcentrated in radionuclides. During the firstfew decades of site operation, these muds
were mixed with bitumen and then poured
into bituminized waste drums, which weremainly stored in rooms known as bunkers.
The oldest drums were gradually recondi-

tioned into stainless steel overdrums andtransported to newer storage facilities pending
a final disposal solution. Alongside the safety
review of these legacy waste management
operations, IRSN contributed to assessing
the facilities planned by CEA to replace thismud conditioning method with an embedding
process using cementation.

71

technical notices andreports submitted to
ASND

SECURITY AND N ON-PROLIFERATION

104

technical notices submitted to
the MTES Senior Defense andSecurity Official

03

97

In parallel with its examination of the Safety
Options Report, IRSN reviewed, on behalfof the Senior Defense and Security Official(HFDS) of the Ministry for Ecological andInclusive Transition, the security review preparation file (DOSec) submitted by EDF for the
Gen III EPR NM reactor. IRSN also examined
the security design approach and the protection options chosen to address the various
design basis threats listed in the national
security directive.

49

CONTRIBUTION TO WORKON THE SECURITY OF SOURCES

technical notices sent to the
CTE and the economic andfinance ministries responsible
for non-proliferation

missions to escort inspections
involving international nuclear
material control (including
complementary access visits)

In line with the missions assigned to it, IRSN provides support and assistanceto the public authorities responsible for checking compliance with regulations
on the protection and control of nuclear materials, nuclear facilities and nuclear
material transport, and to the public authorities responsible for ensuring
compliance with the international commitments made by France on nonproliferation of nuclear and chemical weapons.

NEW PARTNERSHIP IN THE PHYSICS
OF EXPLOSIVES

PLATFORM FOR MONITORINGNUCLEAR MATERIALS TRANSPORT

As part of its nuclear security research, IRSN
has been conducting test campaigns since2006 on blast waves and on explosions insemi-confined environments and their effects
on structures. A scientific collaboration agreement concluded with the French-German
Research Institute of Saint-Louis (ISL) will
enable it to take this work further, increase its
knowledge and raise its international profile in
explosives science.
The ISL, an expert body in explosives science andballistic protection, has major experimental
facilities dedicated to protection technologies. Cooperation between IRSN and the ISL
is already reflected in joint experiments andpresentations at specialist conferences.

IRSN Transport Operations is responsible formanaging and processing applications for
authorization to transport nuclear materials,
monitoring shipments, and sending therelevant authorities any notifications of such
shipments. To meet the French nuclear safety
authority’s requirements, IRSN Transport
Operations has developed an application
named SATURNE for sending information
securely to various emergency response
centers run by the public authorities andfor viewing the transportation of nuclear
materials within France on a map.

114

national inspections related toprotection and control of nuclear
materials

47

inspections of organizations inpossession of nuclear materials

45

technical checks on approved
equipment for transportation of
nuclear materials

22transportation inspections

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REVIEW OF THE SECURITY OPTIONSFOR THE EPR NM

9missions to escort international
inspections involving thechemical weapons ban

In brief
COMUHREX 2
At the request of the
Senior Defense and Security
Official (HFDS) of the Ministryof Ecological and Inclusive
Transition, IRSN analyzed theassessment of vulnerability tomalicious attack for the “Philippe
Coste” Comurhex 2 uranium
conversion plant. As a result of
this analysis, the HFDS authorized
the possession and use of thenuclear materials required tostart up the Philippe Coste plantat the end of 2018, for the benefitof the George Besse 2 uranium
enrichment plant.

Regarding the security of radioactive sources,
as part of the transposition of Directive
2013/59/Euratom by the HFDS of the Ministryof Ecological and Inclusive Transition and theASN, IRSN provided technical support for thedrafting of the orders implementing the transposition decree. These orders introduce newtechnical and organizational requirements toimprove the protection of radioactive sources
against malicious acts and to combat illicit
trafficking of sources.
For the European ITRAP+10 program (Illicit
Trafficking Radiation Assessment Program),
IRSN assessed the performance of equipment
for detecting and identifying radioactive
materials, to be used for checks at borders
and when entering and leaving buildings.
To do this, IRSN developed two test benches
and, under normal and degraded conditions, conducted more than 3,000 tests witharound thirty sources. The results will guidethe changes to requirements that may berecommended by the EU.

ENHANCED SKILLSIN CYBERSECURITY
Nuclear facilities increasingly use computerized systems for their control, safety andprotection from malicious acts. Assessmentof their cybersecurity is therefore vital. IRSN
contributes to this by giving technical support
in this area to the HFDS of the Ministry of
Ecological and Inclusive Transition (MTES)
when it examines the files submitted by licensees. Expert assessment of the files of manylicensees helps to consolidate IRSN’s skills.
IRSN also develops its expertise and improves
the quality of support it gives to the publicauthorities through practical case studies.

For this purpose, IRSN began the first tests on
certain communication protocols with vulnerabilities that could be exploited by a cyberattacker. IRSN also met industry representatives
and potential partners for future collaborations, particularly with a view to setting up aplatform to simulate complex IT systems at
IRSN, integrating information systems used inindustry (HYDRA project).

SUSTAINEDINVOLVEMENT IN
THE IAEA’S ACTIVITIESAs nuclear expert and technical support provider on the Euratom Technical Committee(CTE), IRSN contributes to the IAEA’s activities
in the area of Safeguards. The IAEA is tasked
by the 189 signatory States to the Treaty on
the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons(NPT) with controlling nuclear materials, activities and facilities throughout the world,
and works to ensure they are not diverted formilitary purposes. To this end, the IAEA concludes legally binding Safeguards Agreementswith the States, often accompanied by an additional protocol giving it enhanced powers ofinspection.
IRSN’s involvement in this enabled France toplay a particularly active role in 2018 with the
IAEA, which sees cooperation from the States
as a means of enhancing the effectiveness of
its action.
In keeping with its participation in the additional protocol signed between Euratom
and France and transcribed into French law
in 2016, IRSN contributed on an interministerial basis to the drafting of the implementing decree issued in October. This decree
sets out the obligations placed on Frenchindustry and the access conditions for the
IAEA in France during “complementary”
access visits where only 24 hours’ notice isgiven.
As part of its technical support role for theCTE, IRSN was involved in accompanying
IAEA inspectors during the two complementary access inspections carried out for
the first time in France by the IAEA, one
in March at the Cadarache Center for the
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29

SECURITY AND N ON-PROLIFERATIONCABRI program, and the other in October at
the Saclay Center for the ASTRID program.
In both cases, IRSN was able to ensureboth that national interests were protected
and that France met its international
commitments.
IRSN also gave four talks at the IAEA’s Safeguards Symposium, held every four years.
In particular, IRSN presented the latest
progress with tools developed for the additional protocol and for tracking imports andexports of nuclear materials. These tools enable France to meet its obligations towards
the IAEA in these areas.
Lastly, IRSN assisted industries affected by
the implementation of a small quantities
protocol at French sites in the Caribbean.
This means that France will be able to send
the IAEA the required data as soon as the
protocol comes into force, which is expected to be in early 2019.

04
IRSN participates in the work of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

In 2018 IRSN contributed to the IAEA’s activities on
Safeguards

SUPPORT FOR THE OPCWFrance is heavily involved with the organizations working to combat the proliferation of
weapons of mass destruction, in particular
the OPCW, which is responsible for enforcing
the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).
By virtue of its duties, IRSN provides technicalsupport to the French authorities responsiblefor implementing the CWC in the civil sector
nationwide.
In 2018 IRSN offered special support to the
OPCW under the mentorship program, an
initiative launched by the OPCW within its
assistance activity to developing Members
States. Designed primarily to support developing countries, the program enables States
Parties to provide support on implementing
the CWC to other States Parties that request it.
IRSN’s assistance will take the form ofdesigning and delivering a training program
based on courses and presentations of tools
designed by IRSN or developed by the OPCW,
particularly related to preparing and submitting
declarations, and to inspections. The program
will also include case studies and site visits.

IRSN’s research activities, conducted to improve the knowledge supporting
its expert assessments, aim to increase knowledge related to nuclear
and radiological risks. The work done by IRSN’s teams relies on national
and international collaborations and on increasingly powerful experimental
equipment.

SUCCESS OF THE FIRST TEST IN THE CABRIEXPERIMENTAL REACTOR FOR THE CIP PROGRAM
On April 16, 2018 IRSN and the CEA successfully conducted the first test in the CABRI
research reactor, which has a water loop
representative of pressurized water reactors(PWR). The experiment is an important stepin IRSN’s CABRI International Program (CIP),
run under the auspices of the OECD/NEA toimprove knowledge of nuclear fuel behavior inreactivity accidents.
The test was run to check that the pressurized water loop, for studying fuel behavior ina thermo-hydraulic configuration representative of a pressurized water reactor, is working
correctly.

It also collected the first data for a studyof the behavior of an irradiated mixed
uranium-plutonium oxide (MOX) fuel subject
to a sudden massive heat injection in a pressurized water loop. The signals registered by
the many sensors during the test showed thefailure of the test rod. They are now undergoingdetailed analysis.
The success of this test paves the way for the
program’s continuation* with different fueland cladding types. It is the result of hard
work by all partners in the program, which has
united the scientific community around theuse of large-scale experimental instruments.

The first test was
successfully performedin the Cabri research
reactor. It collected thefirst data for a studyof fuel behavior in an
accident situation.

*(IRSN’s partners in the CIP program are: CSN (Spain), SKI (Sweden), HSE (UK), US-NRC and EPRI (USA), HSK (Switzerland),VTT Energy (Finland), GRS (Germany), USV (Czech Republic), VUJE (Slovakia), KINS (Korea), EDF and CEA (France).

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31

RESEARCH AND KN OWLEDGE

FIRST TEST CAMPAIGN
OF THE PRISME 3 PROJECTThe PRISME 3 program’s first test campaign,
conducted under the auspices of theOECD (NEA), ran from October 2017
to March 2018 at IRSN’s DIVA facility,
which since 2017 has had a renovatedventilation system for better measurementof extracted combustion products andexhaust flow rate. The campaign, entitled S3
for “smoke, stratification and spread”, uses
experiments to study the spread of smoke
in different configurations representative of
possible fire scenarios at nuclear facilities.
The five tests carried out will be used tomake further improvements to IRSN’s SYLVIA
and ISIS simulation tools used for studies
to support expert assessments. The tests
provided an opportunity to expose electricalequipment such as electric switch gears to areal fire, and provided data on malfunctions
under representative conditions, particularly
in terms of soot concentration and critical
exposure temperature.

PARTICIPATION IN POSTFUKUSHIMA-DAIICHI RESEARCH
PROJECTSIRSN has agreed to take part in three new
projects run by the OECD’s Nuclear Energy
Agency (NEA) to prepare for the dismantlingof the damaged Fukushima-Daiichi reactors.
The first project concerns preparation for therecovery and analysis of fuel debris (PreADES);
the second is a more detailed analysis of
the state of the damaged reactors (ARC-F);
the last will undertake the thermodynamic
characterization of the fuel debris and fission
products (TCOFF).
IRSN’s involvement will enable it to contributeto the syntheses of knowledge acquired on
the Fukushima-Daiichi accident, to provide

32

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RESEARCH AND KN OWLEDGE

its expertise to the programs analyzing debris
samples from the damaged reactors, and to
improve its databases of thermodynamic
data. The project will also provide an opportunity to better identify the limitations of tools
and methods developed during IRSN’s workon severe accidents by comparing them withthe reality of an accident in which all phases
have been analyzed.

39.1 %of budget allocated toresearch (excluding the
Feurs project)262

publications listed in the
JCR (Journal Citation
Reports)

STUDYING MODES OF
GOVERNANCE OF NUCLEAR RISKS
The second conference of the AGORAS
project (a French project to improve thegovernance of the organizations and networks
involved in nuclear safety) was held inMontrouge on December 13 and 14, 2018
on the theme “Lessons learned? Studying
learning devices and processes in relation totechnological accidents”. The purpose of theconference was to gain a better understandingof the way in which the entities responsible
for nuclear safety understand and address
the phenomena linked to the occurrence ofaccidents. It also aimed to encourage debate

around the methods used by researchers toanalyze learning processes and the social andmaterial conditions that make these processes
possible.
IRSN is a participant in the AGORAS project,supported by the ANR as part of the Investmentin the Future Program/Nuclear Safety andRadiation Protection Research, which aims
to study changes in the modes of governance of nuclear risks after the FukushimaDaiichi accident.

View of the Fukushima-Daiichi power plant and the temporary enclosure covering the damaged reactors.

In brief
Scientific conference
IRSN organized the first Neutron
Science Days jointly with the CEA
on September 24 and 25, 2018 at
Cadarache. Aimed at teams whose
work is concerned with neutrons
and their applications, these events
provided an opportunity to shareknowledge about the facility andthe development of neutron sources,industrial and R&D applications,detectors and spectrometers,
nuclear instrumentation, etc.

Seismic hazard
The second workshop of theFrench seismological and geodetic
network (RESIF), focusing on seismic
hazard, was held in Montpellier fromJanuary 29 to 31. IRSN was heavily
involved in organizing this meeting,which brought together engineers
and researchers working on seismic
hazard in France (IRSN, BRGM, EDF,
CEA, etc.).

28

theses defended442

scientific lectures atconferences

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33

RESEARCH AND KN OWLEDGE

IMPROVING THE MANAGEMENT OF A SEVERE ACCIDENT
AT A REACTOR
Launched in late 2017 and coordinated by IRSN, the international SAMHYCO-NET
project aims to provide more detailed knowledge of the production of flammablegases in the later phases of a severe accident in order to improve the effectiveness ofequipment, particularly catalytic recombiners, deployed to prevent explosion risks.
This three-year research project run by NUGENIA will include complex tests of
explosion and recombination of H2-CO mixtures at temperatures and pressures
representative of those encountered in the later phases of a severe accident (post coriumconcrete interaction).
The first safety assessment software intercomparison exercise was launched for an
accident situation at a KONVOI pressurized water reactor to confirm the remaining
uncertainties on which the R&D effort will focus.

In brief
Research
The research and teaching
chair for the study of interorganizational relations inhigh-risk industries, throughout
the life of facilities (RESOH
chair), has been extended for five
years. The aim is to strengthen
the formation and organizationof this community of academic
researchers, industrialists
and institutions in order
to increase discussion
on the topic of nuclear safety.

05

Collaboration with the
NRA
IRSN’s research teams have developed a nanoemulsion effective in thedecontamination of wounds. The transfer of this technology to an industrial partner
was completed in 2018.

In February 2018,
the Japanese safety authority,
NRA, expressed its interestin part in IRSN’s “Glove Box
Fire Research Collaboration
Program”, which aims to improveknowledge and modeling of the
combustion process of solid
panels inside a glove box.
The program will run until 2023.

In an international context where safety, security and radiation protection
are a significant challenge, IRSN plays a driving role, particularly because of thediversity of its missions and its wealth of technical platforms. It receives numerous
assistance requests. Its international cooperation enables it to enrich its expertiseand knowledge and improve its research facilities. This engagement is therefore
in the public interest. Multilaterally, the construction of a “common European area”
for the TSOs remains a major priority, to benefit European harmonization. Bilaterally,
IRSN aims to share its vision of the major nuclear safety and radiation protection
challenges with its main partners.

CLOSE COOPERATION WITH THE IAEAZOOMSUCCESSFUL TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
WITH THE CEVIDRA LABORATORYIRSN has developed a nanoemulsion that is effectivein the emergency treatment of radioactive contaminationof the skin, which, with inhalation, is one of the main methodsof contamination of nuclear industry workers. The work has led
to the publication of nine papers and to the filing of a patent.
The knowledge-sharing has continued, moving from a research
partnership to an industrial partnership with the transferof the technology under license to the Cevidra Laboratory.
This new collaboration demonstrated the safety of the productand resulted in its release on the market in 2018.

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IRSN is heavily involved in promoting theaction and role of the TSOs (technical safety
organizations, which support the authorities)
in improving nuclear safety, and played a keyrole in developing TECDOC 1835 (Technicaland Scientific Support Organizations Providing
Support to Regulatory Functions), the IAEA’s
first document specifically on the action androle of the TSOs, published in 2018.
IRSN also played an active part in the IAEA’s
organization of the fourth conference on“Challenges Faced by Technical and ScientificSupport Organizations (TSOs) in Enhancing
Nuclear Safety and Security”, held in Brussels in
October 2018. The conference was an opportunity to take stock and identify action to betaken by the IAEA to develop and deploy scientific and technical expertise in support of thegovernance of nuclear and radiological risks.
The discussions at the conference gave theopportunity to promote TECDOC 1835 but
also to prepare for further action by the IAEA:to take better account of the TSOs’ contributions in the IAEA’s audit tools (e.g. IRRS);to continue its support for the TSO initiative aimed at setting up a national TSO in
countries developing a nuclear program,by providing independent expertise;to recognize the importance of the TSOs’
contributions to the independence andeffectiveness of national regulatory systems
and to openness to society and transparency;
to embark on the development of long-term
strategic research plans to embed safety
expertise.
IRSN was also heavily involved with the
IAEA’s center responsible for preparing forand responding to radiological emergencies,
providing experts to the center to help with
developing an approach to the assessment ofaccident situations.

In brief
Contribution to a Bel V
expert assessment
In late 2018, IRSN
contributed to an expert
assessment by Bel V, its
Belgian counterpart, of thestructural deterioration ofa bunkered building at theDoel nuclear power plantcontaining level 2 safety
equipment. The approach,which consisted of crosschecking and verifying
the results of the expert
assessments done by the
two TSOs, reinforced Bel V’s
position and provided backing
to the AFCN, Belgium’s safety
authority, in its authorizationof the restart of the reactor
in question.

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35

INTERNATIONAL COLLA BORATIONINTERNATIONAL COLLA BORATIONZOOMA VERY ACTIVE CONTRIBUTION TO THE ETSON NETWORKAs one of the initiators of the
ETSON network, IRSN plays
an active role in its development
and action to enhance nuclear
safety and standardize practices
across Europe. In 2018 ETSON
consolidated its close relationshipwith the European Commission;an ETSON consortium of ten
members of the network won
a call for projects launched by theEuropean Commission in late 2017.
The project aims to assess thepractical implementation of Articles
8a to 8c of Directive 2014/87/
Euratom, which set an ambitious
safety objective for nuclear facilities
in the EU Member States andintroduce assessment procedures
for achieving this. In accordancewith its Performance Target
Agreement, IRSN makes an active
contribution to this project;
it is responsible for coordinating
the assessment of the approaches
and methods introduced nationally

ENHANCED COOPERATION WITH
THE USA ON NUCLEAR SAFETY AND
SECURITYAt the annual Regulatory Information
Conference (RIC) organized in March by theAmerican nuclear safety authority, the US
NRC, IRSN strengthened its cooperation withits main transatlantic partners.
A cooperation agreement on flood risk assessment at nuclear facilities and various collaborative projects were begun on experiments
related to concrete degradation and spent fuelpool uncovery.
With the US Department of Energy (DoE),
which operates a research reactor known as
TREAT with functions that complement thoseof CABRI, different tests will be carried out
on the behavior of innovative nuclear fuels.
Cooperation between the two organizations
on criticality risks will also continue.
Finally, discussions with the National Nuclear
Safety Administration (NNSA) moved forward,
especially on the problems of security andsafeguards, and preparing for radiologicalemergencies.

36

IR SN - Annual report 20 18

in implementation of the Directive.
ETSON also made a major
contribution to organizing
the IAEA TSO conference inBrussels in October 2018.
Work on the technical guides
related to safety assessments was
also completed with the publicationof a guide on the comparison ofregulations for assessing vessels
containing pressurized water inreactors and a guide to assessing
the environmental qualificationof equipment. A new expert groupwas set up within the Technical
Board on Reactor Safety to lookat how to take account of external
naturally-occurring or man-madehazards. The first discussions
were held in early 2018 at aworkshop on how to take accountof accidental aircraft crashes on
nuclear facilities. These discussions
were considered by IRSN in its
reflections on the safety approachto new facilities.

EXTENSION OF THE PARTNERSHIPWITH CHINA
As part of a series of contracts under theEuropean Commission’s Instrument for Nuclear
Safety Cooperation (INSC), IRSN assisted
the Chinese TSO, NSC, and China’s safety
authority, the NNSA, in the fields of designbasis accidents and severe accidents at powerreactors. Through these collaborations, IRSN
promotes its experience and its computercodes designed specifically for steam explosions (MC3D) and severe accidents (ASTEC).
In October 2018, at a three-day workshop
organized in Beijing by IRSN and the Chinese
TSO, NSC, Chinese users and guest organizations (NSC, CNNC/CNPE, CGN/CNPRI,SNPTC/SPIC, universities) were able to share
their experience of using the ASTEC codeand to submit their development ideas
to IRSN’s experts who, in turn, presented
the code’s latest features. The desire of all
the participants to hold similar discussions
on a regular basis in future was formallyrecorded.

In brief

In brief

Waste

Research

The SITEX_Network association
was set up in January 2018 tocontinue the scientific cooperation
begun during the SITEX and SITEX
II research projects supportedby the European Commission.
With IRSN holding the presidency,
SITEX_Network set itself theobjective of developing international
cooperation on radioactive waste
management, in order to provide
high-level expertise, independentof the industrial operators, to support
the safety authorities and act as a linkwith civil society.

IRSN took part in a PIRT
(Phenomena Identification Ranking
Table) exercise organized by theOECD, the purpose of which was
to define research programs to
be launched into loss of coolant
accidents affecting spent fuel pools.
The task involved 22 organizations
from 15 countries. It identified
the most important phenomena,
selected those for which there
was insufficient knowledge andrecommended priority actionsin terms of experimental programs,
development of models anddevelopment of simulation tools.

COOPERATION WITH
THE RUSSIAN TSOINTENSIFICATION
OF COOPERATION WITHSINGAPORE

In 2018 IRSN renewed its cooperationagreement with the Russian TSO, SEC NRS,
for 10 years in the fields of nuclear safety
and security. SEC NRS has been an associate
member of ETSON since 2012.
The areas of cooperation include hydrogensafety and the methodology for assessing
risks associated with the chemical processes
used at fuel cycle facilities. New areas ofcooperation have been defined concerning
waste management and dismantling strategies,
as well as the validation and quantificationof uncertainties in the codes used for safety
studies.

In the context of the cooperation agreement(memorandum of understanding) on nuclear
safety, cooperation between IRSN and the
National University of Singapore (NUS) was
strengthened with the creation at the NUS ofa nuclear safety research unit (SNRSI). Several
Singaporean researchers came to IRSN andENSTTI (European Nuclear Safety Training
and Tutoring Institute) for training on theenvironment (radiochemistry), the effectsof radiation (radiobiology) and safety analysis,
especially in accidents. Regional training
courses in nuclear safety, organized jointly by
SNRSI, IRSN and ENSTTI, were also run on aregular basis at NUS.

NEA
On September 25, the DirectorGeneral of the OECD’s Nuclear
Energy Agency (NEA) visited IRSN’s
main experimental platforms on the
Cadarache site. The visit took placein the context of longstanding andclose cooperation between IRSN
and the NEA.

IRSN is also a partner of the Chinese nuclear
engineering firm CNPE, which awarded it acontract in 2018 for services on 17 nuclear
safety-related themes.
In the area of radiation protection, several
areas of cooperation were identified with
NSC and the Chinese radiation protection
institute (CIRP).

General view of the
Viktoria loop used to
conduct experiments
under conditions
representative of thoselikely to be encounteredin different types ofnuclear reactor during
a loss-of-coolant
accident.

205

ZOOM

ENHANCED COOPERATIONWITH JAPANTHE VIKTORIA LOOP, AN EXEMPLARY TOOL FOR COOPERATIONIN NUCLEAR SAFETY

2018 was marked by an increase indiscussions on radiation protection andstudy of the health effects of ionizing
radiation between IRSN and its Japanesecounterparts: Nagasaki University, theRadiation Effects Research Foundation,and the National Institutes for Quantum
and Radiological Science and Technology.
In particular, these discussions resulted in
the signature of an agreement with Nagasaki
University in October 2018.

Seventeen years after IRSN and the
Slovakian engineering firm Vúez launcheda nuclear safety research program,a delegation from IRSN visited Levice,
Slovakia, in July 2018 to take stock of
the achievements and consider the next
phases of the program.
The program has contributed not only
to improving the filter components usedin many reactors, especially outside theEuropean Union, but also to identifying
certain physical or chemical phenomenathat can affect reactor safety. Beyond
the Franco-Slovakian partnership, thisenhanced understanding has already beenshared with the international community,
particularly through the Committee on
the Safety of Nuclear Installations of theOECD’s Nuclear Energy Agency.

The program was based in particular on
tests conducted at the VIKTORIA facility,
including a test carried out in 2018 related
to a severe accident scenario. Since
2012, VIKTORIA has contributed mostnotably to qualifying the filters used in
the containment sumps of various typesof nuclear reactor.
The VIKTORIA facility is exemplary inmore than one respect: a genuine joint
effort with costs shared between Vúez
and IRSN, its design, construction andoperation could be used as a model for
future cooperation projects between IRSN
and its international partners, to equip
itself with vital tools for tomorrow’s
research into nuclear safety and radiation
protection, in a context of researchresource optimization and sharing.

bilateral cooperationagreements in force withresearch and assessment
organizations

47

international projects inprogress under the aegis
of OECD-NEA,
the European Commission
or ANR48

countries involvedin these agreements

IR SN - Annual report 20 18

37

ENVIRONMENTWORK ON CONTAMINATED SITES
Because of its technical expertise andoperational radiation protection skills,
IRSN carries out planned or emergency tasks
at the authorities’ request, to eliminate
doubt when exposure to radiation issuspected in public or private places.
During this work, IRSN characterizes
the radioactive source or contaminatedsite by taking in situ measurements,
where necessary secures any radioactive
objects pending their removal by Andra,
assesses and explains the associated risks,
and advises stakeholders. In 2018 IRSN
was called to the apartment in Orléans(Loiret) of a deceased collector who
owned various minerals, some of whichwere highly radioactive.

06
Alongside its research to discover and understand what happens
to radioactive substances in the environment, IRSN also carries out
permanent environmental radiation monitoring, which is vital to detect
abnormalities. Because of its vast expertise in the radiation protectionof humans and ecosystems, IRSN is also called upon by the authorities
to help with individual planned or emergency tasks in potentiallycontaminated public and private places or former industrial sites.

38

IR SN - Annual report 20 18

During the summer, it also responded urgently
to make the watchmaking workshop at
Edgar Faure high school in Morteau (Doubs)
safe before the start of the academic year.
The workshop contained old watches andclocks with hands covered in radioactive paint.
Multiple interfaces (authorities, fire service,members of the public, etc.) are involvedin these operations, which are conductedin a variety of contexts with widely varying
radiological risks.
IRSN also supports the public authorities withmanaging construction on sites contaminatedby historic industrial activities or the use ofnaturally-occurring radioactive materials.
This support may consist of giving opinions
on the monitoring protocols used or checking
compliance with site cleanup requirements.

IRSN carries out plannedor emergency tasks at
the authorities’ request,
to eliminate doubt when
exposure to radiation issuspected in public or private
places.

In 2018 IRSN took measurements
following the cleanup of two sites in Piriacsur-Mer and Guérande (Loire-Atlantique)where uranium-bearing tailings had beenfound. IRSN also issued an opinion on
the monitoring methods planned for theemptying of a body of water downstreamof the uranium mining site at Saint-Pierre(Cantal).

REPORT ON ASSESSING THE TOXICITY
OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS AND WASTE
In brief
Report on monitoringin French Polynesia
IRSN published a reporton radiation monitoring in
French Polynesia carried out
by its laboratory in Tahiti,
and presented it to the local
authorities. The radioactivity
levels measured remain very
low, as in previous years.
They confirm the absenceof any detectable impact
in Polynesian waters fromcontamination of the marine
environment caused by theaccident at the Fukushima
facility in Japan.

IRSN submitted a report to the DirectorateGeneral for Energy and Climate (DGEC)
and the ASN on the toxicity of radioactive materials and waste, in response toa request in France’s National Radioactive
Materials and Waste Management Plan.
The report describes the methodology
and criteria proposed by IRSN to assess
the hazard level associated with different
categories of radioactive materials or
waste. The approach used by IRSN is basedon a set of indicators that cover the chemical and radiological components of thetoxi-city, that take account of their effects
on humans and the environment, and that
also cover the main exposure pathways anda variety of contexts.

For each situation, the report describes
in detail the assumptions and parametersproposed by IRSN for calculating the exposure associated with the radioactive materials
or chemical elements present in a “package”.
These choices are designed in particular toensure assumptions are realistic while making
the scenarios generic and standardized innature.
The report also gives an example of theapplication of the method to several types ofwaste package and makes proposals with aview to wider deployment so that ultimately
information is held about the toxicity ofeach of the waste families defined in Andra’s
national inventory. With this prospect in mind,
it identifies points that could be exploredfurther.

IR SN - Annual report 20 18

39

ENVIRONMENTA NEW TYPE OF INTERCOMPARISON
To validate the reliability of the equipment used by laboratories measuring radioactivity in the environment, the ASN gives
IRSN responsibility for organizing interlaboratory tests (EIL). Among the four to six
tests it organizes each year, IRSN introduced
a new type of exercise this year to test thedetectors of remote monitoring networks
near nuclear facilities. This test, whichbrought together on the Le Vésinet site all the
stakeholders involved in this type of monitoring, with their own equipment, revealed
the quality of the systems installed in France.

TOURNEMIRE:
30 YEARS OF RESEARCH
The underground laboratory at Tournemire(Aveyron) is one of four research laboratories in Europe in a clay medium. Built ina former railway tunnel dating from the 19th
century, it has housed experiments since 1989
and was acquired by IRSN in 1992. Its purpose
is to acquire methodological and phenomenological knowledge about clay in order to
identify, understand and prevent the risks
associated with the deep geological disposalof radioactive waste. The research done thereby IRSN, entirely independently of Andra,
contributes to the quality of IRSN’s expert
assessments carried out at the public authorities’ request for the safety assessment ofAndra’s Cigeo disposal facility project in Meuse/
Haute Marne.
This year, as part of its public information
mission, IRSN’s laboratory opened to the
public, giving a guided tour on the topic of“The mysteries of water in clay”. During thisopen day, visitors could take part in educational events and experiments and could talkto experts and researchers.

40

IR SN - Annual report 20 18

CONTRIBUTION TO THE EUROPEAN
METRORADON PROJECT
Working in support of the public authorities
and local stakeholders to prevent the risks
associated with radon in homes, IRSN also
contributes to the development of knowledge
on the subject. On this basis IRSN is involvedin the European MetroRadon research project
launched by 15 partners as part of the European
Metrology Programme for Innovation andResearch (EMPIR). The project aims to improvethe measurement of low radon concentrationsin the air and to study the impact of thoron(a radon isotope) on radon measurements, aswell as solutions for overcoming it.
MetroRadon has two further objectives: tocompare measurement methods and to study
approaches to identifying priority areas for
managing the risk posed by radon in buildings. In addition to developing knowledge, thework is contributing to the standardization andimprovement of Member States’ practices, inline with the new requirements of the European
directive on health protection against the risk
associated with radon.

479

monitors including 425 fixed
Teleray stations form thenational remote monitoring
network

139

ambient dose rate measurement
points505

sampling points for radioactivity
monitoring throughout France

07

4,465

environmental samples taken
for radiological measurements

An IRSN expert presents research in progress in the West-2008 drift of the Tournemire tunnel.

As part of its radiation protection missions, IRSN divides its
action to protect the public, workers and patients into threeareas: monitoring, assessment and research. It thus plays a rolein public health through its work on radiological risks, to which
it takes a multidisciplinary approach and which is the subjectof national, European and international cooperation.

REPORT ON SCANNERS AND RADIATION PROTECTION
IN MEDICAL IMAGING
At the request of the Directorate-General for
Health and the Directorate for Social Security,
IRSN studied the state of France’s fleet of medical scanners, its evolution and the effect of scanner age on the doses received by patients. To dothis, IRSN used two databases that it manages
on a regulatory basis: SIGIS, the system for information and management of sources of ionizing
radiation, and the NRD database for managing
diagnostic reference levels. The results of its
analysis were accompanied by recommendations designed to improve the radiation protection of patients during medical imaging.
The study shows that, in 2017, the average ageof the 1,175 scanners in service in France was
3.6 years and their average operating life was
6.1 years.

It revealed a reduction of around 25% in
the doses delivered by scanners installed
in 2015 compared to those dating frombefore 2010, and that the vast majority ofscanners that are more than 10 years old arein public establishments. IRSN therefore
recommended, as a priority, the replacement of any scanners that are more than 10
years old, or more than 7 years old in pediatrics or, failing that, the introduction of an
incentive for upgrading scanners when the
upgrades proposed have a beneficial effecton their performance.
Discussions with health professionals andthe analysis carried out for this report identified an increase in the number of scans
and in practices with an impact on theradiation protection of patients, which could
be caused by the current reimbursement
system. IRSN recommended the introductionof a more stringent justification system forscans through easier access to imaging techniques that do not involve radiation, continuing training of requesting physicians, better
patient information, and changes to the reimbursement system. The introduction of medical record sharing and regulatory obligations
related to quality assurance, and the regular
involvement of physicians in imaging services,
should also improve the radiation protectionof patients (dose and image quality).

IR SN - Annual report 20 18

41

PUBLIC HEALTH

PUBLIC HEALTHZOOMHEIR 2018 CONFERENCE
As lead bodies in radiotoxicology and radiobiology research, IRSN
and the CEA jointly organized the twelfth international conference on the
Health Effects of Incorporated Radionuclides, at Fontenay-aux-Roses (Hautsde-Seine). For four days, 140 participants discussed the latest advancesin the various fields related to the study of incorporated radionuclides(biokinetics, radionuclide chemistry, dosimetry of internal contamination,
radiotoxicology, radiobiology, etc.) and the applications that use
radionuclides in nuclear medicine (medical imaging, therapy).

PARISII brings together the necessary infrastructures to study the biological effects of an internal
contamination by radionuclides.

PARISII: A RESEARCH PLATFORM
ON THE INCORPORATIONOF RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCESIRSN carried out its first experiments using the
PARISII platform, the only one of its kind inEurope, which it built to study the effect of thechronic incorporation through ingestion andinhalation of different radioactive substancesby rodents (uranium, cesium, strontium).
These experiments aim to gain a better understanding of the biological effects of thisinternal contamination and the body’s adaptive
response.
PARISII consists of two technical platforms forin vivo and in vitro experiments. The PARISII
platform, which is open to national and international scientific collaborations, is designed tohost teams of researchers. Collaborations will besupported by IRSN’s multidisciplinary researchteams, which include toxicologists, radiobiologists, chemists, veterinarians, and physiology
and animal experiment technicians.

EXTENSION OF THE PRIODAC
PROJECT
Launched in 2014 for 5 years, the PRIODAC
project (repeated stable iodine prophylaxis
in accident situations) will be extended
for 3 years. The PRIODAC project, coordinated by IRSN, uses experiments to study
whether stable iodine tablets should betaken repeatedly in the event of repeatedor prolonged exposure to radioactive iodine
during a nuclear accident. The aim is to
identify the best dosage and administration rates and evaluate potential side effects
for different categories of the population.
Financially supported by the ANR as part ofits Investment in the Future Program/Nuclear
Safety and Radiation Protection Research, theproject involves IRSN, the CEA, Pharmacie
Centrale des Armées, the Universityof Aix-Marseille and the University of Nice.

In brief
Dosimetric assessment
In response to a request
by Le Mans University Hospital,
IRSN carried out a dosimetricassessment of the doses received
by a pregnant patient and her
fetus during a scan of the patient’s
lumbar spine when larger thannormal doses were accidentallydelivered. IRSN provided technicalsupport as part of action by thehealth authorities in responseto this event: a reactive inspection
at the hospital, a rapid alert
message to establishments
in France, a hearing with the
manufacturer of the scanners
in question, an “imaging experience
feedback” working group.

ZOOM

556

whole-body countings for theindividual monitoringof workers

341

includingwith mobile facilities

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IR SN - Annual report 20 18

NEW PORTAL FOR IRSN’S RADIATION PROTECTIONTRAINING
In accordance with its decree of March 10, 2016, IRSN must
“contribute to the radiation protection training of healthprofessionals and people subject to occupational exposure”.
To share its knowledge and expertise, ensure the greatest number
benefit, and thereby contribute to better prevention and protection
against the risks related to ionizing radiation, IRSN offers
numerous training courses presented in a catalog managed
by ENSTTI (European Nuclear Safety Training and Tutoring
Institute). It is aimed at anyone who uses ionizing radiation
at work: radiologists, radiographers, occupational physicians,
people working in industry, engineers in nuclear safety, radiation
protection or the environment, etc. IRSN’s training offer can beaccessed at formation.irsn.fr, where professionals can sign up,
find course materials and communicate direct with the trainers.

FIRST RESULTS OF THE ÉPICE STUDY LAUNCHED
IN THE WAKE OF THE CHERNOBYL ACCIDENTThe ÉPICE program (evaluation of diseases
potentially induced by chronic cesium
contamination) aims to provide answers
to a scientific but also societal question:
what have the health consequences of theChernobyl nuclear accident been for children exposed to its fallout? It aims to collectscientific information about non-cancerous
effects potentially caused by chronic exposure
to low doses of ionizing radiation, by looking
into the existence of a relationship between
that exposure and cardiovascular disease risk.
The first results were published in the British
Medical Journal Open.
Following a pilot phase, the first part of the
ÉPICE study involved systematic screening of
more than 18,000 children aged between 2
and 18 years for cardiac arrhythmias. Half of thechildren live in areas contaminated by cesium137 and half in non-contaminated areasin the Bryansk region (Russia), northeast of
the Chernobyl power plant.
All children had three medical examinations:an ECG, a cardiac ultrasound and a cesium137 whole-body activity measurement. Somewere also given 24-hour Holter monitoring
and blood tests.

The examinations did not identify a relationship between cardiac arrhythmias and thecesium-137 deposits in the Bryansk region.
1,172 children living in the contaminated areasand 1,354 children living in the non-contaminated areas were diagnosed with a cardiac
arrhythmia, indicating that this disease is lessprevalent in contaminated areas (13.3%) thanin non-contaminated areas (15.2%).
The second part of the ÉPICE study shouldlook at the incidence of ionizing radiation on
the development of lens opacity.

In brief
Treatment of radiation
victims
After four years’ research,
the ANR-GIPSIS project (blood
stem cell generation frominduced pluripotent stem cells(iPSCs)) has reached a crucial
stage for the treatment ofradiation victims. Launched incooperation with Saint-Antoine
hospital and coordinated by
IRSN, the project has succeededin obtaining bone marrowtransplants from iPSCs froma human skin biopsy. The
efficacy of these transplants
has been demonstrated in mice
whose bone marrow was totally
destroyed by irradiation.

EURADOSIn July 2018, IRSN publisheda summary of the results of anintercomparison exercise thatit ran in 2016 for the EURADOS
network, on assessing lifetime
doses received by nuclear
workers exposed to uranium.

IRSN’s SPICE program aims to gather scientific information on non-cancer effects possibly induced by chronic
exposure to low doses of ionizing radiation, looking into the existence of a relationship between the risk ofcardiovascular disease and this exposure.

IR SN - Annual report 20 18

43

PUBLIC HEALTH

OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE REPORT:NEW METHODOLOGY
Every year IRSN publishes a report on occupational exposure to ionizing radiation. For the first time ever,the 2018 report was based solely on individual personnel monitoring data recorded in the SISERI systemrather than aggregate data supplied by the dosimetry organizations. This approach reduces errors causedby the distribution of personnel between different occupational activities and means better targetingof workers with the highest exposure levels.
The survey of the 384,198 workers monitored in France as part of their occupational activity involving ionizing
radiation shows that exposure levels are stable. Average individual external exposure is stable overall.
The study shows that contractors account for a third of the nuclear workforce but receive more than two thirdsof the total collective dose recorded in this sector. The average individual dose for contractors (1.68 mSv)
is higher than that of nuclear industry workers (1.28 mSv). The annual regulatory effective dose limit (20 mSv)
was exceeded in the case of two workers, one in the medical and veterinary sector and the other in a nonnuclear industry. Internal exposure was limited. In 2017, three workers received a committed dose of morethan 1 mSv, the highest being 4 mSv.

In case of an incident or accident, IRSN is responsible for putting forward
proposals to the safety authorities on technical, health and medical measures
to protect the public and the environment in the area concerned and for supporting
the public authorities. As a member of the national response system for nuclear
and radiological emergencies, its teams take part in national and international
exercises and IRSN contributes to updates to France’s policy for post-accident
management. As part of this, it studies the experience feedback from the postaccident management of the Fukushima-Daiichi accident.

THE REPORT IN FIGURESEXPOSURE BY SECTORSTEADY INCREASE IN THE NUMBER
OF WORKERS MONITORED

384,198

workers monitored in 2017(up 1.6% on 2016)

0.72

0.21

0.29

0.89

RESEARCH

MEDICAL

INDUSTRY

millisievert (mSv) on average in individual
external exposure for the exposed workforce(excluding workers exposed to enhanced
naturally-occurring radioactivity)

2

1.28

2.10

0.67

NUCLEARAVIATION

OTHERS

Average individual dose by field (mSv)

workers exceeded the regulatory
limit of 20 mSv

SHORT-TERM REDUCTION IN COLLECTIVE DOSE
Reduction of

20 %in the collective dose (53.5 man-Sv compared to 66.7 man-Sv in 2016)
mainly due to a reduction in activity in the nuclear field.

44

IR SN - Annual report 20 1808

DETECTION IN OCTOBER 2017
OF RUTHENIUM-106 IN EUROPE:RESULTS OF IRSN’S INVESTIGATIONSIRSN published a summary of the investigations
it carried out following the detection ofruthenium-106 in the atmosphere over Franceand Europe in October 2017. Its report was
submitted on January 31, 2018 at the firstmeeting of the international committee ofexperts set up by the Russian authorities to findthe source of the ruthenium-106.
Ruthenium-106 was detected by a number ofEuropean atmospheric radioactivity monitoring
networks, including IRSN’s, at levels of around a
few millibecquerels per cubic meter of air, whichhave no health or environmental impact inFrance. Using the available data, IRSN performed
simulations to locate the source of the releases
and evaluate the quantity of ruthenium released
and the release period and duration. Its knowledge of fuel cycle processes enabled it to determine the type of facility that might have been
the source of a ruthenium-106 release.

Its report concludes that the hypothesisthat best explains the recorded activities isof a release of a large amount of ruthenium
between Volga and Ural in late September
2017. Given the ratio of ruthenium-103 toruthenium-106 detected in some samples,
the release is likely to be linked to anindustrial activity using spent fuel unloaded
from a nuclear reactor approximately two
years earlier. IRSN’s conclusions are inagreement with those of the committee
as regards the size of the release, theimpossibility of the origin being a medical
source or a satellite, and the hypothesisof an incident during the reprocessing of
irradiated spent fuel cooled for around two
years. However, the experts did not reach aconsensus as to the precise location of therelease.

INCIDENT AT NOGENT NUCLEAR
POWER PLANT: IRSN ACTIVATESITS EMERGENCY RESPONSE
IRSN activated its Emergency Response
Center overnight on July 17 to 18, 2018 due
to an incident at the nuclear power plantin Nogent-sur-Seine (Aube). In the eveningof July 17, a fire broke out in a transformer
supplying power to the two reactors on
the nuclear site. The loss of power mainly
affected reactor 2, which was shut downat the time. All the fuel from this reactor
had been unloaded into the spent fuel pooland maintenance was under way, limiting
the number of available electricity sources.
However, cooling of the pool was maintained throughout the incident. The power
supply in question was restored and IRSN’s
Emergency Response Center was deactivated in the morning of July 18.

IR SN - Annual report 20 1845

EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND POS T-ACCID ENT MANAGEMENTEMERGENCY RESPONSE AND POS T-ACCID ENT MANAGEMENTPREPARATION FOR NRBC
EMERGENCY RESPONSE

NEW CONTRIBUTIONS TO CODIRPA’S WORK
Since the publication in 2012 of thenational policy for pos t-accid ent
management, numerous lessons havebeen learned from the reflection process
begun following the Fukushima-Daiichi
disaster in 2011. These lessons have led
to significant improvements in knowledge of how to manage the consequences of an accident situation andto the development of modeling tools
and equipment for measuring environmental contamination.
The regulatory context has also changed
significantly with the publication in2013 of France’s national emergency
response plan for major nuclear or radiological accidents and the transposition
into French law in 2018 of Directive
2013/59/Euratom laying down basic
safety standards for protection against
the dangers arising from exposure toionizing radiation.

In this context, IRSN identified issues to be
discussed during CODIRPA’s work on updating
the post-accident management policy.
These include, for example, achieving
greater consistency between measures taken
during an emergency and measures takenin the post-accident phase, improving theaccount taken of the results of environmental
contamination measurements when defining
post-accident zoning, and taking a timebased approach to zoning so that changes canbe anticipated more effectively.
IRSN also contributed to the working groupon the involvement of local stakeholders in
preparing for post-accident management,by drafting answers to questions asked byhealth professionals and preparing a guidedesigned for the population. IRSN also
designated a number of experts (emergency
response, dispersion, radioecology, economy)
to participate in a new working group on
post-accident problems associated with themarine environment.

ZOOM
EURATOM DIRECTIVE: SUPPORT FOR TRANSPOSITIONREGARDING THE ASPECTS RELATED TO
EMERGENCIESIRSN was heavily involved in the finalization of the decrees
transposing European Directive 2013/59/Euratom into French law,in support of the public authorities. This Directive updates the “basic
safety standards for radiation protection”, designed to protect the
public, patients and workers from ionizing radiation. These newtexts modify the French radiation protection system establishedparticularly by provisions of the Public Health Code and the Labor
Code on protection from ionizing radiation. IRSN made a particular
contribution to the drafting of the provisions on protecting the public
in radiological emergencies and long-term post-accident exposure
situations.

1action taken by
the emergency
response center,
CNPE Nogent

46

IR SN - Annual report 20 18

8national nuclear
emergency exercises
excluding defenserelated activities

1

national nuclear
emergency exercise
involving defense-related
facilities

In brief
WHO
In 2018 IRSN was
designated for the second
time as a World HealthOrganization collaborating
center to provide support onradiological risks. The support
provided by IRSN concerns
preparation for radiologicalemergencies, internal andexternal dosimetry, medical
radiation protection and thehealth impact of radon.

The government’s response plan for an NRBC
(nuclear, radiological, biological, chemical)
emergency gives IRSN a supporting role
towards the public authorities responsible forhandling the situation. To provide the right
operational support, IRSN has identified
initial actions to be taken in all situations
covered by the plan. The aim is to develop
and strengthen its expert assessment
capabilities and to improve its response
skills on the ground and its technicalmeasurement equipment. IRSN’s teams
also took part in several local exercises on
this theme during 2018.

DISCUSSIONS ON FASTNETPROJECT TOOLSREPORT ON SURVEYS CONDUCTEDAT FUKUSHIMA FOR THE SHINRAIPROJECTIRSN wrote a report presenting the results ofthree case studies carried out in the Fukushima
prefecture for the SHINRAI (which means“trust” in Japanese) project. Coordinated by
IRSN with the involvement of Sciences Po
Paris and Tokyo Tech University, the project isstudying the social and political consequencesof the Fukushima-Daiichi accident. In particular
it is interested in changes in citizens’ trust in
institutions following a nuclear accident.
The report, based on a large survey, analyzes
the issues of returning or not returning toevacuated villages, categorizing residents on
the basis of their decision. It discusses therole of government officials, physicians andradiation protection experts, looking particularly at the dilemmas facing the mayorsof the evacuated towns. The report concludes with possible ideas for updating postaccident policies

As coordinator of the European FASTNET(Fast Nuclear Emergency Tools) project,
IRSN organized a training course for
38 participants from 22 countries, held
at Fontenay-aux-Roses on May 28 to 30,
2018, on the tools and methods developed
as part of the project to predict atmospheric releases in an accident affecting a
nuclear power reactor in Europe (PWR,
BWR, VVER and CANDU technologies) or aspent fuel pool. To date, around a hundred
standard releases calculated using different
reference codes (ASTEC, MAAP, MELCOR)
are included in the database of accident
scenarios used for the project.
The project partners also had an opportunity to use the FASTNET tools during two
exercises, one solely on calculating releases,
conducted on their own premises, and theother looking more widely at managing
protection of the population, held in Vienna
with assistance from the Austrian BOKU
university.

4

ionizing radiation dose
assessments by biologicaldosimetry

IRSN WORKS AS A PARTNER
OF THE US DEPARTMENTOF ENERGY ON CRITICALITY
In the context of its cooperation with the US
Department of Energy (DoE) on safety in thearea of criticality risks, IRSN took part in May
2018 in a dosimetry intercomparison exercise organized at the FLAT-TOP experimental
reactor at the Nevada National Security Site.
The aim of its involvement was to maintainand strengthen IRSN’s operational ability
to assess correctly and quickly the doses ofradiation received by victims of a criticality
accident so that they can be given the best
possible medical treatment.
Apart from IRSN, around ten American laboratories also took part in the exercise, witheach one having to use its own criticality
accident dosimeters to assess the neutron andgamma radiation doses received by dummies
placed around the reactor.

In brief
Emergency response exercises
In 2018 IRSN took part in
9 national emergency response exercisesand 2 international exercises. To
complete the training of the emergency
response center team members, IRSN
has also been involved in aroundten local exercises run by operators(e.g. an exercise at Toulon naval base).
In parallel, teams using technicalequipment on the ground received
training during three internal exercises
and five exercises run jointly with their
mission partners.

IRSN MODERNIZES ITS FACILITIESFOR ANALYZING ENVIRONMENTAL
SAMPLESAt its Le Vésinet site specializing in the characterization of human and environmental
exposure, IRSN designed an extension to its
laboratories used for analyzing environmental
samples, the laboratory for the treatment
and analysis of environmental samples in a
post-accident situation (LATAC). In a postaccident context, this additional infrastructure will make it possible to carry out expert
assessments and measurements to check thecontamination of foodstuffs. The construction
phase of the project will run from early 2019to late 2020.

Team coordination meetings are regularly
held during emergency response exercises

New emergency response center
After a year’s preparation, IRSN’s
new emergency response center went into
service in fall 2018. The center is larger
and more modern than the previous one
and can accommodate all the emergency
response units, including the new units
responsible for international relations
and health assessment set up in response
to feedback from the Fukushima accident,
which are necessary for fulfillment of thetasks assigned to IRSN in the national
emergency response plan for major
nuclear or radiological accidents.

13

meetings involving IRSN
as part of CODIRPA’s
work on post-accident
management

IRSN’s new emergency response center canaccommodate all the response teams andtakes account of experience feedback from the
Fukushima-Daiichi accident.

IR SN - Annual report 20 18

47

INFORMING

115
INTERNATIONAL: SHARING
PRACTICES AND EXPERTISE
From October 1 to 5, 2018, IAEA held its firstinternational symposium on communication
during nuclear or radiological emergencies.
The symposium was attended by 400 people
from 74 Member States and 13 internationalorganizations. The audience consisted ofcommunication professionals, members ofgovernment departments, and specialists
in emergency response. Young people werealso well represented, and a session was held
specifically for them with a special “innovation” prize.
The symposium included some new digitalfeatures: dedicated apps (600 downloads),
live web streaming, live questions with thefloor.
IRSN made an active contribution to theevent with its participation in the programcommittee, the review of more than 400
contributions, and presentations. At the endof the symposium, the program committee
submitted its recommendations to the IAEA.

09
Since its creation, IRSN’s information and communications policy hastaken account of legislative requirements regarding transparency onrisks and environmental issues, society’s new expectations, and newtechnologies. It uses innovative educational methods, participative
science and partnerships with other organizations to reach an everwider audience.

VALENCE-D’AGEN: AWARENESSOF RADIOACTIVITY AMONG
THE PUBLIC AND SCHOOL PUPILSIRSN took the opportunity provided by anemergency response exercise in March 2018at the Golfech nuclear power plant (Tarn-etGaronne) to share with the local community
its knowledge about radioactivity.
The joint ASN/IRSN traveling exhibition“Radioactivity: Hundreds of Questions” wasinstalled in Valence d’Agen town hall during
a public information meeting about the emergency response exercise. This educational
resource is available to mayors, teachers,
local information commissions, associations,company managers and health professionals,
and has already reached a large numberof citizens and school children acrossFrance. In parallel, IRSN also presented its
OpenRadiation collaborative science initiative, launched in 2017 with three partners,
at Jean Baylet high school in Valence d’Agen,along with a workshop on measuring andsharing in real time the results of ambient
radioactivity measurements.

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IR SN - Annual report 20 18

ELEVENTH INTERNATIONAL RADIATIONPROTECTION WORKSHOP IN SCHOOLSThe radiation protection workshops in schools aim
to help promote scientific and technical culturein schools and to initiate a socially responsible
approach among pupils through the appropriation of scientific and social facts related to ionizing
radiation. The annual event enables pupils topresent work done during the year with theirteachers and with support from radiation protection experts. In 2018, more than 140 high school
pupils and their teachers from Germany, Belarus,
France, Japan (Fukushima high school), Moldova
and Ukraine met at the University of Burgundy inDijon to present their work on radioactivity. During
the three-day workshop run by IRSN, ASN, INSTN,CEPN and SFRP, they worked on topics as varied
as natural and artificial radioactivity, the use ofionizing radiation in the medical field, the effectsof ionizing radiation on living organisms, and theconsequences of a nuclear accident. The pupils’presentations and the talks and round table discussions run by the experts provided an opportunity
for sharing knowledge, comparing experiences,and dialog.

3,810,534
pages viewed on the IRSN
website157,557

pages viewed in the “Research”
section (formerly the “scientificsite”) of the IRSN website

334

notices and reports publishedon the IRSN website

Another major event, the fifth European IRPA
Congress (International Radiation Protection
Association) took place in The Hague(Netherlands) from June 4 to 8, 2018. 700
radiation protection researchers and experts
discussed the state of the art and the various
advances made in the field.
IRSN gave around ten oral and poster
presentations.
Its dosimetry services and the OpenRadiation
project run by IRSN and its partners were
presented on IRSN’s stand.

OPERATION CHERBOURG 2018:
PUPILS ACTIVE IN ENVIRONMENTAL
MONITORINGIRSN invited pupils from three schools in
the Manche department Thomas Hélye
high school in Cherbourg, Métiers Naturehigh school in Coutances, and the Saint-LôInstitute in Agneau to take part in environmental monitoring in their area. Working with
their teachers, it helped them to develop ascientific approach to measuring tritium inrainwater.

students from French andforeign schools took partin the radiation protection
workshops in schools
initiative

6

publications produced by
IRSN

ZOOM
THE TOP 15 MOST VIEWEDITEMS ON IRSN’S WEBSITE IN 2018
ENVIRONMENT FACTFILE ON “RADON”

“Understanding the basics of radioactivity” Nuclear & Society factfile The Chernobyl accident (Ukraine 1986)” Safety factfile“
“Radioactivity and its effects on humans” Health factfile
“Seismic risk and nuclear facilities” Safety factfile
“The Fukushima Daiichi accident (Japan 2011)” Safety factfile
“The Operation of French Nuclear Reactors” Safety factfile
“Radiotherapy” Health factfile
“Radiation protection for workers” Health factfile
“Radiation protection officers” Health factfile
“Origins of radioactivity: Natural and artificial radiation in France”
Environment factfile
“Exposure of the French population to radioactivity” Health factfile
“Dismantling of basic nuclear installations” Safety factfile
“Medical imaging” Health factfile
“Three Mile Island (United States 1979)” Safety factfile

EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVESAND PARTICIPATIVE SCIENCEIRSN was once again heavily involved in
the 2018 Science Fair on “received ideas”.
At the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie (Paris), IRSN was a partner on the“Cabaret de la Science” television program,where it talked about the risks related toradioactivity, radon and cosmic radiation, and the use of radiation in industry.
Using the medium of science theater, oneof the new features of the 27th Science
Fair, IRSN looked back at the history ofradium from the viewpoint of radiation
protection. At Aix-en-Provence in the
Bouches-du-Rhône department, IRSN
offered experiments on the fire whirl, andexplanations for air movements during afire and on its research on fuel cladding.
At Arles, IRSN opened the SORA station

to the public, which monitors water quality
in the Rhône and detects any radioactive
elements. At Vinon-sur-Verdon (Var), it
ran an OpenRadiation workshop. Lastly,
the traveling exhibition “Radioactivity:
Hundreds of Questions” visited Dézert
(Manche).
Outside this flagship event, IRSN organized
a seminar entitled “Radon and the land” inMontbéliard (Doubs). Discussions with local
communities, elected representatives, andthe construction industry led to improvements in the management of radon risk andindoor air quality. The event was an opportunity to present outreach and training
actions and radon measurement campaigns
conducted in France.

IR SN - Annual report 20 18

49

E FFICIENCYZOOMEFFICIENT PROCUREMENT

10A DIGITAL ROAD MAP

IRSN’s actions are aimed at harnessing human potential,
ensuring that the organization is run efficiently and responsibly,and continuing its modernization in the context of responsible
management. Its actions are also a reflection of government
modernization policies.

PREPARING IRSN FOR 2030
In 2018 IRSN continued working on its IRSN
2030 strategic approach to prepare itself tomeet the challenges of coming decades. Fourgoals were identified and associated strategic orientations were developed in a document entitled “Strategic Goals for 2030”.
The continuation of this work in 2018
included a collective reflection process begun
at the start of the year through the organization of 14 workshops attended by 174
employees. More than 300 suggestions were
made, in the form of ambitions, actions andconditions of success, to enable IRSN to effectively anticipate changes in its environment.
Drawing inspiration from some of these, thesteering committee for this initiative choseto begin initial experimentation on themes
related to the use of artificial intelligence andaugmented expertise, the emergence of Open
Data, the development of openness to society
in research, and taking more account of IRSN’ssocial responsibility. A call for projects, with

50

IR SN - Annual report 20 18

In line with proposals
stemming from the
IRSN 2030 reflection
workshops, IRSN hasembarked on the «digitaltransformation» of its
internal and external
activities with the launchof a digital road map.

Procurement contributes to IRSN’s efficiency strategy by delivering the mostappropriate solution at the best cost, while meeting regulatory, institutionaland environmental constraints and complying with ethical and safety rules.
The approach also encompasses public procurement performance objectives
applicable to EPICs set by the government’s procurement department.
They are economic performance, access for SMEs to public procurement,
integrating innovation, and social and environmental measures.
IRSN’s procurement was worth €100 million in 2018, particularly in the
consulting and business expertise sectors, including research and development,scientific and management computing, and laboratory equipment.
IRSN pursued these performance objectives by continuing to pool procurement(with UGAP, DAE, CNRS, CEA, etc.), setting up national framework agreements,
inserting social and environmental clauses, giving access to SMEs, and mostof all improving economic performance, which is a powerful driver of savings,
especially during periods of budget cuts.

particular priority given to transversal andmultidisciplinary projects, was launched in thesecond half of 2018 on the first three topics.
Six projects were chosen, lasting nine months
to a year. They relate to the organization oftransversal workshop on the data sciencesat IRSN, and the development of expert
systems, partly to study the effects of ventilation on fire source term and partly to makeuse of data from the reactor coolant systemradiochemical portal. They also concern theuse of artificial intelligence to interpret measurements by the hodoscope used at the Cabri
facility. Regarding openness to society, thetwo projects chosen concern firstly the evaluation of innovative approaches (Living Lab) tobuild research on multiple exposure and therelated risks, and secondly the involvementof the public in measuring the impact of solar
flares on dose rates on board aircraft.

In brief
Sapin II Law
In the context of the entry
into force of the Sapin II Law,
in 2018 IRSN continued to deploy
the measures necessary for its
implementation. These concern
deployment of a scheme to protect
whistleblowers, the forwarding
to the HATVP of information
required by law for transparent
relations between lobbyists
and public authorities, and a risk
mapping to identify appropriate
measures to fight corruption.

During the collective reflection workshops
for the IRSN 2030 initiative, IRSN’s need
to begin the digital transformation of its
internal and external activities was highlighted, with the launch of a digital roadmap, which should structure the implementation of the suggestions emerging fromvarious workshops.
The digital transformation must meet several
challenges aimed at achieving excellencein expert assessment and research, deriving
value from data, interacting better with theecosystem, cooperating better, increasing
efficiency and retaining skills.
To achieve this it is based on four principles:making open data the default; testing andlearning; having fewer prohibitions for better
protection; and cooperating extensively forbetter validation. The road map consists ofnine transformation pathways. In particular,
it must ensure better use is made of the data
and knowledge acquired by IRSN: sharing
data internally to help maintain skills in
research, expert assessment and emergency
response, while taking account of confidentiality (defense, industrial, personal data,etc.); access to high-quality information forstakeholders and the public. It should also
improve efficiency by enabling better use to
be made of IRSN’s resources.

The first initiatives implemented at the end of theyear include the start of deployment of collaborative tools (Skype Entreprise and Teams), internal
access to document collections and the draftingof specifications to build an IRSN Lab space.

ZOOM
INTERNAL BAROMETER:STABILITY AND OVERALL SATISFACTION
In early 2018 IRSN publishedthe full results of its fifthinternal barometer survey,
designed to periodically gauge
its internal climate. The results
revealed that staff opinions
had largely remained stable as
regards IRSN’s operation andorganization.
When asked about working
conditions, direct management,
and communication, and subjects
related to IRSN’s missions andidentity, employees expressed
75% satisfaction, and above 80%
satisfaction in the latter case.

The areas where staff would still
like to see change are mainly careerorganization and development andcareer progression, with on average
one in two employees saying they aresatisfied.
Of all the issues raised in the survey
conducted at the end of 2017,
two need particular attention andmonitoring by IRSN: the perceptionof workload and the overall issueof pay. Both of these topics are at theheart of IRSN’s strategic orientations
and will be addressed in the dialog
with employees and the agreements
negotiated in the next few months.

IR SN - Annual report 20 1851

E FFICIENCYA NEW DYNAMIC IN TOTALQUALITY MANAGEMENT
Having had ISO 9001 certification since 2007,
in 2018 IRSN obtained ISO 9001 V2015 certification following audits carried out by Afnor.
This achievement is the result of a collective
effort to bring IRSN’s Quality Management
System (QMS) into compliance with this new
version of the standard.
The auditors welcomed IRSN’s drive to improveits QMS. For example, initiatives have been
implemented to structure and strengthen
the HR process (experts/officers stream,tutoring from the moment new staff join,internal barometer, etc.). The same applies toknowledge and skills management, with thein-house university, which is a genuine inte-

E FFICIENCY

grated training tool. As regards the process
related to research activities, many partnerships forged outside the strictly nuclear
domain are helping to enrich results andknowledge.
However, this drive must be maintained
to consolidate IRSN’s strengths and makeprogress where necessary. IRSN’s risk management approach consists of full integrationof risk management in the QMS, in keepingwith the new version of the ISO standard.
It has started work to make sharing and feedback of experience a generalized process sothat reporting of internal non-compliances is
improved, and has started to look at indicators. Finally, IRSN has also begun to improvethe management of its internal audits.

In brief

In brief

In 2018 IRSN drew up
a draft IT system continuity
plan (PRAI) to specify theorganizational and technicalmeasures necessary toguarantee continuity ofoperation of part of its IT
system. In particular it sets
out the conditions for bringing
IRSN’s servers, which havebeen off-site since 2014,
back to premises specificallydesigned for them, and also
the deployment of an off-site IT
backup facility, which will house
only applications that need to berestarted quickly.

Data protection
In accordance with the General
Data Protection Regulation, IRSN
worked on the compliance of its
personal data processing.
In addition to keeping a registerof personal data processing
and the associated declarations,the designation of a data protection
officer was notified to CNIL.
The officer relies on contacts
within IRSN to organize a proper
procedure. Awareness activities
have been implemented and an
in-house university training courseis planned. Finally, IRSN has begun
to set up a network with otherpublic institutions to exchange
best practices on personal dataprotection.

First step towards anelectronic archiving system

IN-HOUSE UNIVERSITY TO DEVELOP SKILLSAND ACCELERATE THE EVOLUTION OF IRSN’S ROLESAt the heart of IRSN’s skills management
policy the in-house university (Ui) offers
tailored training courses covering aspects
related to the jobs, culture and working
methods specific to IRSN. It responds to adesire to promote, share and transfer IRSN’s
knowledge and expertise, and thus contributeto the quality of its work and its ability torespond to current and future scientific andtechnical challenges.
Because of these challenges, a new radiation
protection module was introduced, bringing
to five the total number of modules: threetechnical modules (assessment, emergency
response and radiation protection), thestrategy and management module and theoperational support module. New subjects
have emerged, particularly in the areas ofquality management, knowledge management, intellectual property, governanceand strategy, with a first pilot session on
November 15, 2018.
In total, 135 training sessions were held in
2018, attended by 1,724 participants andrepresenting more than 17,870 hours of
training, dispensed mainly by IRSN’s staff.

52

IR SN - Annual report 20 18

The Ui is open to external practices andtherefore brings in external speakers toshare their experience and changes they
have made to their practices. In 2018,
eight conferences were organized withmore than 700 participants:
a lecture cycle on “emergency response
culture”, including a speaker from theParis emergency services (SAMU) on
emergency response management in achaotic world and the lessons learned
from the Paris terrorist attacks;
an information day on the new radiation protection regulations (transposition of European Directive 2013/59/
Euratom and security of sources) anddiscussions with the various organizations involved (Ministries, ASN, IRSN,etc.),
a cycle of lectures on “Quality of life
at work” with a talk by the Patrouillede France air display team to share
tried and tested working methods
to achieve collective excellence andreduce risk.

Finally, the digital transition and the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) aretransforming the organization of work,
generating new skills and causing newroles to emerge. The Ui is a unique forum
for discussion and reflection to achieveeffective strategic workforce planning inview of these challenges. In 2018 the Ui
began a program to raise awareness ofchanges in management methods withthe talk “Managers augmented by AI” (andthe associated MOOCs). This training
area will be developed in 2019 with theaddition of core skills courses and courses
for managers and those involved in andsupporting the transition.

IRSN’s in-house
university responds tothe desire to promote,share and transfer theInstitute’s knowledge
and expertise.

Archive management ispart of the digital transition.
The successful proof of concept
exercise carried out in 2018 on
the electronic archiving of virtual
invoices is the first of a series
ultimately aimed at ensuring IRSN
meets its regulatory obligations
for conservation of and accessto its born-digital documents.
IRSN’s in-house university supports employees’ skill and career development with innovative teaching
methods.

ZOOM
UPGRADING SUPPORT AND FUNCTIONALSERVICES AT IRSN
Begun in late 2017, the reflection process on upgrading IRSN’s
functional and support services aims to reorganize the Institutein order to improve the efficiency and fluidity of its operation andhelp to improve its overall performance. The work done in 2018,
which allowed ample time for discussion and dialog, began with a full
diagnostic survey of its perimeter before studying organizational
scenarios. Nearly 300 staff from the entities concerned, but also fromthe operational units, were involved in the process, which involved
more than 80 tasks: interviews, immersions, surveys, workshops, etc.
The process was discussed with IRSN’s governing bodies, and staff
and staff representatives were kept regularly informed. It led in thefall to the proposal of a potential target structure, which is currently
at the consultation stage with the aim of implementation in 2019.

IR SN - Annual report 20 1853

GOVERNING BODIESGOVERNING BODIESFrank MOLLARD, Colonel, chief of staff of theadministrative Secretary, General representing theadministrative Secretary General of the Ministryof Defense.

GOVERNING
BODIES
BOARD OF DIRECTORSAS OF FEBRUARY 1, 2019
Responsibilities
Deliberations by the Boardof Directors rule on IRSN
activities. More specifically,
the Board deliberates on generalconditions governing the Institute’sorganization and operation,
its strategy and program,and its annual report. It also
approves the budget, decisions
involving changes, year-end
financial statements and income
appropriation.
A member of parliament,
Nomination pending.

A senator
Nomination pending.

Ten government representatives
Jacques COUSQUER, Engineer General for
Armaments, for the DGA, the French defense
procurement agency, representing the Ministerof Defense.
Élisabeth BLATON, Deputy Head of Nuclear
Safety and Radiation Protection at theTechnological Risks Department, representing
the Minister for the Environment.

Frédéric TÉZÉ, Subdirectorate for Working
Conditions, Health and Safety, Directorate Generalfor Labor, representing the Minister for Labor.
Diane GEHIN, Deputy Head of the Energy,
Profit-sharing, Industry and Innovation office at theBudget Directorate, representing the Minister for
the Budget.
Alain GUILLEMETTE, Representative in chargeof Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection for
Defense-related Activities and Facilities.
Pierre-Franck CHEVET, Chairman of the French
Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN).

Michel FRITSCH, Air Force Brigadier General,
nominated by the Minister for Defense.
Ginette VASTEL, doctor of pharmacology,
nominated by the Minister for the Environment.
Marie-France BELLIN, Chair of the IRSN Board of
Directors, Professor of Medicine in Diagnostic andInterventional Radiology at Bicêtre-Pierre-Brousse
hospitals, nominated by the Minister for Health.
Laurent MOCHÉ, CEO of Edenkia, nominated by
the Minister for Energy.
Fanny FARGET, Scientific Research Director at
the French National Center for Scientific Research(CNRS), nominated by the Minister for Research.

Eight staff representatives
Nicolas BRISSON, CGT.
Laurence FRANCOIS, CGT.

Aurélien LOUIS, Deputy Director for the Nuclear
Industry, Directorate General for Energy andClimate, representing the Minister for Energy.

Annie CONSTANT, CFDT.

Martin CHASLUS, Head of the Risk Resilience
Assessment Office of the Directorate General
for Civil Protection and Emergency Response,
representing the Minister for Civil Protection.
54

IR SN - Annual report 20 18

Cédric BOURILLET, Director General of Risk
Prevention and Government Commissioner.
Jean-Pascal CODINE, Budget Comptroller.

Thierry FLEURY, CFDT.
Olivier KAYSER, CFE-CGC.
Sandrine ROCH-LEFEVRE, CFE-CGC.

Clément ARMINJON, representing the Directorof Strategic Affairs, Security and Disarmament at
the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.

Denis VEYNANTE, Research director at the
French National Center for Scientific Research(CNRS).

Christian DUFOUR, Head of the Economic
and Nuclear Infrastructure Security Department,
representing the Senior Defense and Security
Official of the Ministry of the Economy and
Finance.

Éric ANDRIEU, Professor at the Toulouse National
Polytechnic Institute (INP).

Louis-Michel GUILLAUME, Deputy Director
General in charge of defense-related missions.
Pierre PIQUEMAL-LAGORRE, Accounting
Officer.

Serge POULARD, Advisory member, appointed by
the Minister for Industry.

Philippe BOURACHOT, Works Committee
Secretary.

SCIENTIFIC COUNCILAS OF FEBRUARY 1, 2019STEERING COMMITTEEFOR THE NUCLEAR
DEFENSE EXPERTISE
DIVISION – CODEND
AS OF FEBRUARY 1, 2019
Responsibilities
The committee examines theactivity program prepared by the
Nuclear Defense Expertise Division(DEND) before it is submitted to
the Institute’s Board of Directors.
It is consulted when the Board of
Directors is called upon to makedecisions relating specifically tothe organization or running of this
Division and advises the Boardof Directors on matters related todivision activities.

Léna LEBRETON, CGT.
Patrick LEJUSTE, CGT.

Adrien BICHET, representing the Budget Director.

Guy FRIJA, Physician, Emeritus Professor ofRadiology at Université Paris Descartes, Vice-Chairof the Imaging Committee of Medicen.

Mario PAIN, Head of the Department of Defense,
Security and Economic Intelligence, representing
the Senior Defense and Security Official at the
Ministry of Ecological and Inclusive Transition.

Jean-Christophe NIEL, Director General.

Five advisory membersJoëlle CARMES, Deputy Director of Environmental
and Food Risk Prevention at the French Directorate
General for Health, representing the Minister for
Health.

Frédéric RAVEL, Scientific Director of the Energy,
Sustainable Development, Chemistry and Process
Department of the Directorate General for
Research and Innovation, representing the Ministerfor Research.

Ex officio or associate members

Alain GUILLEMETTE, CODEND Chairman,
representative in charge of Nuclear Safety andRadiation Protection for Defense-related Activities
and Facilities.
François LECOINTRE, General, representative of
the Armed Forces Chief of Staff.
General Bruno DUVERT, nuclear weapons
inspector.
Jacques COUSQUER, Engineer General for
Armaments, representing the DGA, the French
defense procurement agency.

Frank HARDEMAN, Director General of theBelgian Federal Nuclear Control Agency (FANC).

Responsibilities
The Scientific Council examinesand gives its opinion on IRSN
activity programs and ensuresthat its research programs are
scientifically relevant and of
the highest quality. It examines
program results in order toprepare recommendations
on Institute strategy. It may
be consulted by the Board’s
chairperson or by the supervisory
ministers on any subject thatcomes under the Institute’s
authority.
Pierre TOULHOAT, Deputy CEO and ScientificDirector of the French Geological Survey (BRGM),IRSN Scientific Council Chairman.
Jean-Christophe AMABILE, Chief Medical
Officer, associate professor at Val-de-Grâce,
Deputy Head of the Defense Health Expertise andStrategy Division of the Central Directorate for
Defense Medical Services.
Robert BAROUKI, Physician, Biochemist
and Toxicologist, Professor of Biochemistry atUniversité Paris-Descartes, Director of Inserm
Unit 1124, Head of Biochemistry, Metabolomics
and Proteomics at the Necker-Enfants Malades
Hospital.
Hugues DELORME, Professor specialized
in neutron physics at the School of Military
Applications of Atomic Energy (EAMEA).

Bernard BONIN, Deputy Scientific Director of the
CEA Nuclear Energy Division, nominated by the
Minister for Research.

Mauricette STEINFELDER, Inspector General,
Member of the General Council for theEnvironment and Sustainable Development andthe Environmental Authority.
Eric VINDIMIAN, Engineer General in rural
engineering, water and forests, Regional Directorof the Irstea (French research institute forenvironmental and agricultural science andtechnology), specialist in the impact of toxic
substances on the environment and health andin assessment of public environmental policies,
member of the Environmental Authority and
Coordinator of the Research and Technology
Commission of the General Council for theEnvironment and Sustainable Development.

ETHICS COMMISSION
AS OF FEBRUARY 1, 2019
Responsibilities
The Ethics Commission is provided
for under the IRSN organizational
regulations and reports to
the Board of Directors. It is
responsible for advising the Boardon preparing ethical charters thatare applicable to the Institute’s
activities and for monitoring theirapplication, including conditions
within the Institute for separatingassessment missions performed onbehalf of government departments
and those performed for public or
private operators. It also serves asa mediator when problems of an
ethical nature arise.
Françoise ROURE, Chair of the Commission,
Chair of the “Safety and Risks” section of theGeneral Economic Council, Economic and Financial
Auditor General, Ministry of the Economy, Finance,
Public Action and Accounts.
Lionel BOURDON, Inspecting General
Practitioner, Defense Medical Service (SSA),
Defense Biomedical Research Institute.
Marc CLÉMENT, Public reporter to the
Administrative Appeal Court in Lyon, memberof the Environmental Authority of the General
Council for the Environment and Sustainable
Development.
Geneviève JEAN-VAN ROSSUM, Director
General of Globalization, Culture, Education andInternational Development, Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and International Development.
Alexandra LANGLAIS, Research Officer at CNRS,
Faculty of Law and Political Science, University ofRennes 1.

IR SN - Annual report 20 1855

GOVERNING BODIESNUCLEAR SAFETY AND
RADIATION PROTECTIONRESEARCH POLICYCOMMITTEE – COR
AS OF FEBRUARY 1, 2019
Responsibilities
The Nuclear Safety and Radiation
Protection Research Policy
Committee, or COR, is anadvisory body to the IRSN Boardof Directors, giving opinions on
research objectives and priorities
in the fields of nuclear safety andradiation protection. It adopts a
global approach that takes into
consideration the requirements ofsociety and the public authorities,
complementing the activity of
IRSN’s Scientific Council, which
focuses on the quality andrelevance of the Institute’s research
programs and outcomes from ascientific perspective.
Public authorities+ Supervisory ministry representatives:
Bruno GILLET, Task Officer, Directorate Generalfor Research and Innovation, representing the
Ministry of Research.

GLOSSARY

Companies and professional
associationsNoël CAMARCAT, Nuclear Research andDevelopment Officer, Generation and Engineering
Branch, EDF.
Bernard LE GUEN, Chair of the French society forradiation protection (SFRP).
Bertrand MOREL, Research and Development
Director, representing Orano.
Jean-Jacques MAZERON, Head of theRadiotherapy-Oncology Department, PitiéSalpêtrière Hospital, representative of the Frenchsociety for radiotherapy and oncology (SFRO).
Soraya THABET, Director of Risk Control and
Safety, Andra.

Employees in the nuclear sector+ Representatives of national labor unions:Jean-Paul CRESSY, FCE-CFDT.
Martine DOZOL, FO.

Advisory members
Jean-Claude DELALONDE, President of theFrench national association of local informationcommittees (Anccli).
Christine NOIVILLE, President of the HighCommittee for Transparency and Information on
Nuclear Safety (HCTISN).
Marie-France BELLIN, Chair of the IRSN Board of
Directors, Professor of Medicine in Diagnostic andInterventional Radiology at Bicêtre-Pierre-Brousse
hospitals.

Research organizations
Philippe STOHR, Director of Nuclear Energy, CEA
representative.
Cyrille THIEFFRY, Task Officer for Radiation
Protection and Nuclear Affairs, IN2P3, CNRS
representative.
Daniel FAGRET, Deputy Director General for
Strategy, Inserm representative.

Claire ÉTINEAU, CFTC.

Representative of the French Conference ofUniversity Presidents (CPU) nomination pending.

Jacques DELAY, CFE-CGC.

ParisTech representative nomination pending.

Christian HOLBÉ, CGT.

Foreign members+ OPECST representatives:

Christophe BADIE, Environmental Assessments
Department, Public Health England, United
Kingdom.

Representative of the Directorate General for
Health, representative of the Ministry of Health,nomination pending.

Philippe BOLO, Deputy of Maine-et-Loire

Ted LAZO, Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA), OECD.

Lionel MOULIN, Head of the Environmental
Risks and Health Mission, Research Department,
Directorate for Research and Innovation,
representing the Ministry for Ecological andInclusive Transition.

+ Representative of the Local Information
Commissions (CLI):

François-Xavier GOMBEAUD, Nuclear Safety
Inspector for the DGA, the French defense
procurement agency, representing the Ministryof Defense.
Mayeul PHÉLIP, Task Officer at the Policy andSupervisory Office, Directorate General for Energy
and Climate, representing the Ministry
for Ecological and Inclusive Transition.
+ Representing the Directorate for Labor:Thierry LAHAYE, in charge of matters relating to
the protection of workers against physical hazards,
Directorate General for Labor.
+ Representative of the French Nuclear
Safety Authority:
Nomination pending.

56

IR SN - Annual report 20 18

Elected representatives+ 1 nomination pending.

Monique SENÉ, Head of the ANCCLI “Safety”
advisory committee, Member of the Saclay CLI.
+ Representatives of municipalities hostinga nuclear facility, proposed by the
Association of French Mayors:
Bertrand RINGOT, Mayor of Gravelines.

Ex officio members
Patrick LANDAIS, Energy High Commissioner.
Cédric BOURILLET, Government Commissioner,
represented by Benoit BETTINELLI, Head of the
Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Mission,
Ministry of Ecological and Inclusive Transition.
Pierre TOULHOAT, Deputy CEO and ScientificDirector of the French Geological Survey (BRGM).
Jean-Christophe NIEL, Director General of IRSN.

Associations
David BOILLEY, President of the association for theinspection of radioactivity in western France (Acro).
Jean-Paul LACOTE, representing France Nature
Environnement.
Simon SCHRAUB, director of the Ligue Nationale
Contre le Cancer.
Lionel LARQUE, general representative of the
Alliance for Science and Society (Alliss).

GLOSSARYA

ANCCLI French National Association of Local
Information Commissions and Committees.
ANDRA French National Radioactive Waste
Management Agency.
ANR French National Research Agency.
ASN French Nuclear Safety Authority.
ASND French Nuclear Safety Authority for
Defense-related Facilities and Activities.
ASTEC Accident Source Term Evaluation
Code – a system of computer codes developed
collaboratively by IRSN and GRS to evaluate
the physical phenomena occurring during a coremelt accident in a pressurized water reactor.

account the sensitivity of the affected tissues
and the type of radiation. The sievert (Sv) is theunit of effective dose.
ENSTTI European Nuclear Safety Training
and Tutoring Institute.
EPIC French industrial and commercial public
undertaking.
EPR Evolutionary Power Reactor (European
pressurized water reactor).
ETSON European Technical Safety
Organisations Network.
EURADOS European Radiation Dosimetry
Group.
EURATOM European Atomic Energy
Community.

B

G

Bel V Subsidiary of the Belgian Federal Agency
for Nuclear Control.
BRGM French Geological Survey.

C

CABRI CEA test reactor used by IRSN to study
nuclear fuel safety.
CEPN French Nuclear Protection Assessment
Center.
CWC Chemical Weapons Convention.
CIGEO Project for a repository in Meuse andHaute-Marne for the reversible geologicaldisposal of radioactive waste.
CLI Local Information Commission.
CLIS Local Information and OversightCommittee, now known as CSS, Site OversightCommittee.
CNDP French National Public Debate
Commission.
CODIRPA French Post-accident Management
Steering Committee.
COR Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection
Research Policy Committee.
CPDP Special Committee for Public Debates.
CRITICALITY (RISKS) Risks associated withuncontrolled chain reactors in fissile materials.
CTE Euratom Technical Committee.

D

DoE US Department of Energy.
DOSIMETRY Assessment or measurement of
the dose of radiation (radioactivity) absorbed bya substance or an individual.
DSND Representative in charge of Nuclear
Safety and Radiation Protection for Defenserelated Activities and Facilities.
DRL Diagnostic Reference Levels.

E

EFFECTIVE DOSE A physical variable used in
the field of radiation protection, where it servesto assess the impact of exposure to ionizing
radiation on biological tissue. It takes into

GPEC Strategic workforce planning.

H

HCÉRES High Council for Evaluation of
Research and Higher Education.
HCTISN High Committee for Transparency andInformation on Nuclear Safety.
HFDS Senior Defense and Security Official.

I

IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency.
ICRP International Commission on RadiologicalProtection.
INB Regulated nuclear facility.
INBS Regulated nuclear defense facility.
INES International Nuclear Event Scale, gradedfrom 0 to 7.
INSC Instrument for Nuclear Safety
Cooperation, cooperation contracts financed by
the European Commission.
INSTN French National Institute for Nuclear
Science and Technology.
ITER International Thermonuclear Experimental
Reactor – Experimental facility and research
program to demonstrate the viability of a newenergy source: fusion.

M

MTES Ministry of Ecological and Inclusive
Transition.
MICADO Model Uncertainty for the Mechanismof Dissolution of Spent Fuel in a Nuclear Waste
Repository – European project under FP6 on
the influence of the uncertainties related toradionuclide release from spent fuel on theoverall safety of a geological disposal facility.
MIRCOM Ion microbeam used for theradiobiology of intra- and inter-cellularcommunications.
MOX Mixture of plutonium oxide and uraniumoxide – Nuclear fuel.

MWe Megawatt electric, unit of electric power
produced.

N

NEA OECD Nuclear Energy Agency.
NRA Japanese Nuclear Safety Authority.
NRBC Nuclear, radiological biological, chemical.
NUGENIA Nuclear Generation II & III
Association, a European association for researchon Generation II and III reactors.

O

OECD Organization for Economic Cooperation
and Development.
OPCW Organization for the Prohibition ofChemical Weapons.

P

PARISII Experimental platform for research into
the intake of radioactive substances throughingestion or inhalation.
PIA/RSNR French program of investment for
the future/Research into nuclear safety andradiation protection.

R

RADIOELEMENT Natural or artificial
radioactive element.
RADIONUCLIDE Radioactive isotope of anelement.
RES Test reactor.

S

SFRP French Society for Radiation Protection.
SISERI Information system for monitoring
exposure to ionizing radiation.

T

TECV French Act of August 17, 2015 on energy
transition for green growth.
TSN French Act of June 13, 2006 on
transparency and security in the nuclear field.
TSO Technical Safety Organization.

U

UGAP French Union of Public Procurement
Groupings, a public procurement organization.
UNSCEAR United Nations Scientific Committee
on the Effects of Atomic Radiation.
US NRC United States Nuclear Regulatory
Commission.

IR SN - Annual report 20 18

57

LEGAL INFORMATIONPHOTO CREDITSCover

EDITORIAL COORDINATION
AND PRODUCTION
Steering Commitee
Senior Management Committee

Coordination
Valérie MARCHAL, Director of Strategy, Development and Partnerships

Representatives
Strategy: Patrice BUESOInternational: Cyril PINEL
Knowledge Management: Martial JOREL
Communication: Marie-Pierre BIGOTIRSN’s Pearl facility aims to study experimentally the re-injection of wateron the debris of a PWR core damaged by a core melt accident. The debris issimulated by 500 kg of metal balls heated by induction, contained in a quartz
column more than two meters high in an enclosure, enabling pressurization.
In the photo, IRSN’s expert is making a modification to the quartz column toprepare for a new series of tests as part of the PROGRES research program(corium. progression and cooling, stabilization of a severe accident).
Credits: Francesco Acerbis/Médiathèque IRSN

Inside pages
Pages 6, 8, 11, 13 and 50: Antoire Devouard/Drone Press/Médiathèque IRSN

Safety: Richard GONZALEZ, Karine HERVIOU, Frédérique PICHEREAU
Security/Defense: Laurent MANDARD
Waste/Geosphere: Didier GAY
Health: Alain RANNOU
Environment: Jacqueline GARNIER-LAPLACE, Didier GAY
Emergency Response: Éric VIAL
Property, Sustainable Development: Jean BATTISTON
Human Resources: Christine THARAUD

Pages 19 and 40: Sophie Brändström/Signatures/Médiathèque IRSN
Pages 20, 26 and 41: Laurent Zylberman/Graphix-Images/Médiathèque IRSN

Graphic Design and Production

Page 23: Marc Didier
Pages 24 and 25: Alexis Morin/Médiathèque IRSN
Page 27: S. Lecouster/CEA

Printed byPages 28 and 30: Olivier Seignette/Mikaël Lafontan/Médiathèque IRSN

Imprimerie Barré

Page 30: @oiac

This Annual Report was approved by
the IRSN Board of Directors on March 5, 2019.

Page 31: Francesco Acerbis/Médiathèque IRSN
Pages 32 and 33: Guillaume Bression/Fabien Recoquillé/Médiathèque IRSN

Annual Report printed on FSC® MIXTE certified paper produced
from sustainable resources. (to be checked with printer)

Pages 34 and 43: Noak/Le bar Floréal/Médiathèque IRSN
Page 35: Mazifilm/Médiathèque IRSN
Page 37: Brano Valach/Médiathèque IRSN
Page 38: David Claval/Médiathèque IRSN
Page 42: Francesco Acerbis/Médiathèque IRSN
Page 45: Florence Levillain/Signatures/Médiathèque IRSN
Pages 47 and 53: Stéphanie Clavelle/Médiathèque IRSN
Page 48: Grégoire Maisonneuve/Médiathèque IRSN58

IR SN - Annual report 20 18© IRSNN° ISSN 2493-593X

FIND

the 2018 Activity Report
online at:www.irsn.fr

Head office31, avenue de la Division Leclerc
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