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Nuclear energy
Stress tests
Communication on results of the stress tests
On 4 October 2012, the European Commission released the Communication on the results of the stress tests. This document highlights that European nuclear power plants have generally high safety standards but further improvements are needed in almost all of them.
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Communication on the comprehensive risk and safety assessments ("stress tests") of nuclear power plants in the European Union and related activities [COM/2012/571]
[114 KB] All available translations.
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Technical summary on the implementation of comprehensive risk and safety assessments of nuclear power plants in the European Union [SWD/212/287] [335 KB] All available translations.
- Press release [IP/12/1051]All available translations.
- Questions and answers [MEMO/12/731]All available translations.
Stress tests and Peer Review Process
On 26 April 2012 the European Commission welcomed the adoption of the ENSREG stress test report and the agreement to examine some safety aspects in more detail and prepare a follow up in the next few months:
- Joint statement of the European Nuclear Safety Regulators Group (ENSREG) and the European Commission.
- EU nuclear Stress tests: Technical report and additional plant visits agreed [IP/12/429]All available translations.
The European Commission adopted on 24 November 2011 a Communication looking at the first findings of the stress tests.
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Communication on the interim report on the comprehensive risk and safety assessments ("stress tests") of nuclear power plants in the European Union [COM(2011)784] [66 KB]
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Commission Staff Working Paper "Technical Summary of the national progress reports on the implementation of comprehensive risk and safety assessments of the EU nuclear power plants" [103 KB]
- Nuclear safety: stress tests well on track [IP/11/1450]All available translations.
- Questions & Answers - Commission Interim Report [MEMO/11/827]All available translations.
Background
Following the nuclear accident in Fukushima, the European Commission and the European Nuclear Safety Regulators' Group (ENSREG) agreed on 25 May 2011 on voluntary tests for the EU's 143 nuclear power reactors. These tests were based on a common methodology and assess both natural and man-made hazards (i.e. effects of airplane crashes and terrorist attacks). The assessments were conducted by independent national authorities and through peer review. The tests started on 1 June 2011.
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EU Stress tests specifications [2 MB]
- Press release [IP/11/339]All available translations.
- Questions & Answers [MEMO/11/339]All available translations.
- Watch the press conference
On 23 June 20111 the Commission and a number of third countries agreed on a joint declaration:
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Joint Declaration on comprehensive risk and safety assessments of nuclear plants ('stress tests') [13 KB]
WENRA proposal - "Stress tests" specifications
The Fukushima accident triggered an immediate and coordinated response from the EU, aiming to identify potential further safety improvements for nuclear plants.
On 25 March 2011, the Heads of States or Governments of the EU Member States concluded that the safety of all EU nuclear plants should be reviewed, on the basis of comprehensive and transparent risk and safety assessments ('stress tests'). They invited the Commission and ENSREG to develop the scope and modalities of these tests, fully involving Member States and the available expertise, notably the Western European Nuclear Regulators Association (WENRA).
WENRA is a network of Chief Regulators of 16 EU Member States and Switzerland, as well as of other interested European countries which have been granted observer status. During their plenary meeting in March 2011, WENRA developed a technical definition of the 'stress tests', as well as an initial approach on how they should be applied to nuclear facilities across Europe in terms of methodology and timeframe.
