90 / 536
1. THE GENERAL LEGAL
FRAMEWORK APPLICABLE
TO NUCLEAR ACTIVITIES
Nuclear activities are defined in Article L. 1333-1 of the
CSP (Public Health Code). They are subject to various
specific requirements aiming to protect individuals and
the environment and apply either to all these activities,
or only to certain categories. This set of regulations is
described in this chapter.
N
uclear activities
are highly diverse, covering any activity relating to the
preparation or utilisation of radioactive substances or ionising radiation.
Nuclear activities are covered by a legal framework that aims to guarantee
that, depending on the nature of the activity and the associated risks, it
will not be likely to be detrimental to safety, public health or the protection
of nature and the environment.
These activities are subject to the general provisions of the Public Health Code and,
depending on their nature and the risks that they involve, to a specific legal system:
•
the system for Installations Classified on Environmental Protection grounds (ICPE) for
those activities covered by the list in Article L. 511-2 of the Environment Code (industrial
activities using unsealed radioactive sources, depot, storage or disposal facilities for
solid ore residues, etc.);
•
the Basic Nuclear Installations (BNI) system specified in Article L. 593-1 of the Environment
Code;
•
the Secret Basic Nuclear Installations (SBNI) system, which is subject to the Defence Code;
•
the small-scale nuclear activities system for the other activities (medical or industrial
activities using ionising radiation or radioactive sources).
The transposition into French law of European Council Directive 2013/59/Euratom of
5th December 2013 setting basic standards for health protection against the hazards
arising from exposure to ionising radiation, will renovate the general legal framework
for nuclear activities by 2018.
DIAGRAM 1:
Drafting of radiation protection doctrine and basic standards
Assessment of scientific studies (UNSCEAR)
Discussions
(ICRU, IAEA, OECD/NEA, WHO, etc.)
Recommendations
(ICPR)
International standards
(IAEA, ILO, WHO, PAHO, FAO, NEA)
National legislation
Regional standards
European Directives
90
CHAPTER 03:
REGULATIONS
ASN report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2015