ENSI is participating in a two-day symposium in Japan
The Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (ENSI) is participating in a two-day symposium in Japan: The “International Conference on Regulators Views and Priorities on Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection 10 Years After TEPCO Fukushima Daiichi NPS Accident” will take place in Tokyo on 28 and 29 November 2022.
The focus of the international conference is on the lessons learned from the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi accident worldwide for nuclear safety, radiation protection and regulation.
“Fukushima demonstrated that we need to remain vigilant, to look out for possible vulnerabilities and to use new findings to not only maintain the safety of our nuclear power plants, but also to improve them” ENSI
The conference is organised by the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the Japan Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA). ENSI, represented by Director General Marc Kenzelmann, will participate in two discussion sessions on the first day of the conference. On one hand, the focus is on the effects of the Fukushima accident on legislation and the regulatory requirements for nuclear safety and civil protection. On the other hand, attention will be given to measures undertaken to protect nuclear installations from natural hazards since 2011. Two current examples from Switzerland: ENSI requested, by decree, new evidence for flood safety (in German) to be provided by the end of 2022. In summer 2022, ENSI redefined hazard assumptions for extreme weather events (in German).
Summary
The disaster in Fukushima Daiichi of 11 March 2011 went down in history as the most serious nuclear reactor accident after Chernobyl. From the analysis of the accident and the circumstances, ENSI has been able to derive important conclusions both for its own regulatory activities and for the safety of Swiss nuclear installations. In 2021, ENSI published the “Ten Years on from Fukushima” web series, marking the tenth anniversary of the disaster.
Ten Years on from Fukushima
Background articles, Posts
Ten Years on from Fukushima (1/6): The lead-up to the 2011 Disaster
After Chernobyl, the Fukushima accident of 11 March 2011 is history’s most serious reactor accident. An expert team from ENSI carried out an in-depth analysis of the circumstances leading up to the disaster. As a result, ENSI was able to derive important conclusions both for its own regulatory role and for the safety of Swiss…
Background articles, Posts
Ten Years on from Fukushima (2/6): The radiological effects of the accident
After the nuclear accident in Fukushima Daiichi, extrapolations revealed that about one-eighth of the amount of radioactivity that escaped at Chernobyl was released into the surrounding area. The maximum estimated radiation dose for the population was 7.5 millisievert. However, various studies revealed that mental problems in the aftermath of the accident had a greater impact…
Background articles, Interviews, News, Posts
Ten Years on from Fukushima (3/6): the EU Stress Test
The tests at the time confirmed that, in international comparison, Swiss nuclear power plants have a high safety level. Despite these learnings, it is important to remain attentive at all times, to keep the proofs of safety up to date, to live a strong safety culture and to systematically analyse events.
Background articles, News, Posts
Ten Years on from Fukushima (4/6): The Consequences for Swiss Nuclear Power Plants and the Oversight Activities
After the events in Fukushima Daiichi, ENSI ordered immediate actions and additional safety tests for the Swiss nuclear power plants. Moreover, from the accident analysis and the EU stress test, ENSI derived a need for action to improve nuclear safety in Switzerland: the “Fukushima Action Plan”.
Background articles, Posts
Ten Years on from Fukushima (5/6): Switzerland’s International Position
After the accident at Fukushima, there was an increasing demand for international safety standards and their international monitoring. Switzerland, and in particular ENSI, was committed to mandatory backfitting on a global basis. Even if such safety principles are still not legally binding, the reactor accident acted as a booster for a new safety awareness amongst…
Background articles, Comments, Posts
Ten Years on from Fukushima (6/6): Conclusions
The disastrous accident in Fukushima Daiichi occurred exactly ten years ago, on 11 March 2011. In the last few weeks, our article serie has highlighted the causes, the sequence and the effects, as well as describing the conclusions that we have been able to draw from the accident.
Background articles, Comments, Posts
Ten years on from Fukushima, the ENSI Board still holds that safety has priority over political or economic interests
Where there are conflicts of interest between politics, safety and profitability, safety must always take priority. This is one of the most important lessons learnt from the Fukushima nuclear accident.
Related posts
News, Posts
The ENSI Board learnt about nuclear safety in Finland and Sweden
In autumn 2024, the Board of the Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (ENSI) visited the Finnish Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) and the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (SSM). A visit to the nuclear power plants at the Olkiluoto site in Finland was also on the programme. The main objective of the meetings with the…
Allgemein, News, Posts
Oversight authority and operators of Swiss nuclear facilities continue to develop safety culture
The Country-Specific Safety Culture Forum Switzerland took place in Bern on 19 and 20 November 2024. Representatives from various institutions discussed Switzerland’s national culture and analysed its influence on the safety and oversight culture of nuclear facilities. The aim is to continuously improve safety and security. The results will be summarised in a report and…
News, Posts
IAEA General Conference 2024: «ENSI is committed to strengthening global nuclear safety and security»
ENSI participated in the 68th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA in Vienna from 16 to 20 September 2024. This year, more than 150 member states gathered under the motto «Sustainability and Safety for a Better Future» to discuss the current challenges and future prospects of nuclear energy.
News, Posts
Radioactive Waste and Spent Fuel: ENSI submits the Eighth National Report to the IAEA
ENSI has submitted the eighth Swiss National Report to the Joint Convention. In March 2025, the contracting parties will evaluate the national reports at the Eighth International Review Meeting. In the report, ENSI provides information on the current situation regarding the handling of radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel elements, the planned deep geological repository…
News, Posts
Development of human resources and long-term skills retention in the nuclear sector represent international challenges
Competition in the labour market and a shortage of skilled workers are a challenge also in the field of nuclear regulation. Regulatory authorities discussed possible solutions at the International Conference on Nuclear Knowledge Management and Human Resources Development (IAEA).
News, Posts
Switzerland and Spain intensify exchange of information on nuclear safety and radiation protection
ENSI and the Spanish nuclear safety authority CSN have signed a memorandum of understanding to increase the exchange of nuclear regulation experience and information between Switzerland and Spain.
News, Posts
2023 Oversight Report: The safety status of the nuclear power plants is good
ENSI verified the status of the Swiss nuclear power plants by 327 inspections. In 2023, the year under review, 22 reportable nuclear-safety-relevant incidents were recorded at the nuclear power plants. ENSI provides detailed information in the oversight report published today.
News, Posts
Commission on Safety Standards: Priorities defined for nuclear safety
The first meeting of the Commission on Safety Standards (CSS) for the 2024 – 2027 term took place from the 28 – 30 May 2024. The emphasis of the meeting was on summarizing the findings from the last term and developing priorities for the next four years. Switzerland is chairing the current term.
News, Posts
Conference on Nuclear Security: Shaping the future
ENSI is part in a five-day International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) conference: The fourth “International Conference on Nuclear Security” (ICONS) will take place in Vienna from 20 to 24 May 2024, with Switzerland committed to a strong system of international security.