ARTICLE:

• REGULATORY APPROACHES TO SEVERE ACCIDENT ISSUES: AN lNTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE  download article

G. M. Frescura
OECD/Nuclear Energy Agency

R. J. Barrett
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

ABSTRACT

This paper summarizes the results and conclusions of a study conducted by the OECD/NEA on the approach taken by Regulatory Organizations to deal with severe accident issues. The information for the study was collected through a questionnaire distributed to the OECD/NEA Member countries. This information was then discussed in depth by a Committee consisting of senior representatives of Regulatory Organizations. The paper shows that most countries have taken substantive steps to reduce the risk resulting from severe accidents through measures that include prevention, mitigation, and accident management. Practical considerations have resulted in most countries placing greater emphasis on prevention of severe accidents and implementation of accident management.
However, design modifications aimed at accident mitigation have been done or are being planned in a number of countries. For future reactors, most OECD/NEA countries require specific consideration of severe accidents in the design process, however severe accidents are not currently included in the design basis set.

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