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number SSR-6. Themost important changes with respect
to the 2009 edition concern criticality safety, with the
modification of the configurations of substances classified
as excepted fissile substances, materials for which no
demonstration of criticality safety is required at present,
subject to compliance with the weight limits per package
and per consignment. These modifications could more
particularly have an impact on the transport of waste
containing fissile radionuclides, whichwill become subject
to safety demonstration constraints.
In 2015, a new revision cycle for the SSR-6was initiated.
ASN thus submitted SSR-6modification proposals to the
TRANSSC, after having them validated by the GPT. At
the November meeting of the TRANSSC, the committee
voted in favour of a revision of the SSR-6. The revision
cycle is not however over and at least another three years
will be needed before a new edition can be produced.
4.3.2 Participation in drafting of national
regulations
ASN takes part in the drafting of French regulations relative
to the transport of radioactivematerials. These regulations
mainly consist of the TMD Order and the Orders of
23rdNovember 1987 concerning the safety of ships and
of 18th July 2000 concerning the transport and handling
of dangerous materials in sea ports. In this respect, ASN
sits on the CITMD (Interministerial HazardousMaterials
Transport Committee) that is consulted for its opinion
on any draft regulations concerning the transport of
dangerous goods by rail, road or inland waterway. ASN
is also consulted by the Ministry responsible for the
Environment when a modification of the three Orders
mentioned above can have an impact on the transports
of radioactive substances.
4.4 Participation
in international relations
in the transport sector
International regulationswere drafted and are implemented
as a result of fruitful exchanges between countries. ASN
includes these exchanges as part of a process of continuous
progress in the level of safety of radioactive substance
transports, and encourages exchangeswith its counterparts
in other States.
4.4.1 Participation in the work of the European
Association of Competent Authorities on transport
The European Association of Competent Authorities
on the Transport of Radioactive Material (EACA) was
created in December 2008. Its purpose is to promote the
harmonisation of practices in the regulation of the safety
of transport of radioactive substances, and to encourage
Signage attached to packages of radioactive substances.
ASN resolution on the notification
system for companies transporting radioactive
substances on French territory
On 12th March 2015, the ASN Commission adopted a
resolution creating an ASN notification obligation for all
companies transporting radioactive substances in full or in
part on French territory. This notification concerns the carriers,
but also the companies loading, unloading and handling the
packages. In the event of an emergency in which human
safety is at stake, Article 5 of the resolution enables ASN to
suspend the activities which require notification.
The information obtained will be made available to the
ASN regional divisions. It will in particular provide a means
of contacting the company, including in an emergency,
of estimating the nature and volume of the activity and
identifying the places of loading, unloading and transit
storage of the packages. It will also allow improved targeting
of the ASN inspections.
This resolution is issued pursuant to Article R. 1333-44
of the Public Health Code, which makes provision for an
ASN resolution to define transport activities subject to an
authorisation system and those subject to a notification
system. As a result of this resolution, the provisions of the
Labour Code concerning the prevention of risks linked to
ionising radiation will apply in full to transport companies
which are subject to the notification obligation.
This resolution was approved by the Minister responsible
for Nuclear Safety and Transports on 24th July 2015. The
resolution came into effect on 1st January 2016.
TO BE NOTED
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CHAPTER 11:
TRANSPORT OF RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES
ASN report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2015