Nuclear safety guidance published

The UK’s principal nuclear regulators have published guidance for an integrated approach to assessing the safety of nuclear power station designs for the protection of people and the environment.

‘The Generic Assessment of Candidate Nuclear Power Plant Design’ has been jointly published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the Environment Agency (EA), the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and the Department of Trade and Industry's Office for Civil Nuclear Security (OCNS).

According to the regulators, early scrutiny of designs will help ensure regulatory resources are applied at a stage when greater influence can be brought to bear.

The government’s report on the Energy Review, ‘The Energy Challenge’, released on 11 July 2006, stated government’s belief that nuclear power should have a role in the future UK generating mix, alongside other low-carbon options. Since then, the Department for Trade and Industry has carried out further consultation on the policy framework for new nuclear build, and will be publishing its findings in a White Paper later this year.