Members of International Association of Nuclear Regulators to Cooperate in SMR Design

Members of the International Nuclear Regulators Association (INRA) issued the joint statement on international cooperation to implement small modular reactor (SMR) technology.

INRA members recognize the safety potential that SMR technologies can offer and the important role of regulators in ensuring that these technologies are deployed safely and reliably in accordance with the strict requirements of the non-proliferation regime in the countries wishing to implement them.

According to the statement, the INRA members implementing new nuclear programs are committed to cooperate actively during the SMR design assessment and licensing stages, as well as to support the national regulatory reviews in the countries that will only start implementing the latest technologies.

INRA members will seek to establish bilateral and multilateral arrangements to allow consultation and guidance, as well as the exchange of regulatory assessments in support of their national regulatory, life cycle and resource reviews. Such cooperation will highlight the critical role and responsibility of the national regulators in ensuring the highest standards of nuclear safety, security and non-proliferation when considering new designs, in particular SMRs.

Recall that the members of the International Association of Nuclear Regulators are representatives of nine countries: Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Republic of Korea, Spain, Sweden, Great Britain and the United States of America. The activities of the Association are aimed at sharing knowledge and providing support in the field of nuclear safety and security and radiological protection.