National Atomic Energy Agency

Joint Early Review (JER) is an initiative enabling the review of key safety assumptions of the NUWARD reactor design – developed by the French company EDF – by regulatory authorities from countries potentially interested in this technology. The purpose of this review is to learn about the design before the start of national licensing processes, identify potential regulatory challenges, exchange experiences, and provide the designer with early safety feedback.

New members that joined the project in phase 2, including the National Atomic Energy Agency, reviewed the topics analyzed in the first phase and then, together with the other regulatory authorities, assessed additional areas such as:

• design extension conditions (DEC) management,
• containment and radiation consequences assessment,
• electrical and I&C systems architecture,
• criticality risk management.

The conclusions from the second phase of the JER are an important source of knowledge for the National Atomic Energy Agency in its preparations for licensing SMR reactors in Poland. These conclusions will be included in the new version of the NUWARD project. Participation in this initiative strengthens the PAA's competence in the assessment of new technologies and supports work on the further improvement of national nuclear safety requirements. Joint early analysis of the design increases the effectiveness of nuclear regulatory authorities in future licensing processes.

The report from the second phase of the JER is available on the websites of the regulatory authorities participating in the initiative, including the PAA: please find below in the downloadable materials.