In Switzerland, on-going activities regarding safety assessment of the different stages in the lifetime of nuclear installations consist of periodic assessments and assessments of long-term operation for existing Swiss NPPs.
When it comes to international affairs, Switzerland has signed the Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS) on 31 October 1995. In November 2011, an IRRS Mission was conducted in Switzerland. The results of the mission are currently being implemented, and it is planned to have an IRRS Follow-Up Mission in 2015. In October 2012, an OSART Mission to the Mühleberg NPP was completed. Switzerland participated in the European Stress Test and its Follow-Up activities.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
From 6 to 8 May 2024, a delegation from the Spanish regulatory authority visited ENSI. Discussions focused on the topic of radiation protection, in particular exchanging of experience relating to the Leibstadt NPP and to the Mühleberg NPP, which is currently being dismantled.
The continuous improvement of nuclear safety and security in Switzerland is the main concern of international cooperation. The regulatory exchange of information and experience plays an important role in this. The ENSI Board therefore updated and adopted the Strategy International Activities.
At the time of the fateful accident in Fukushima, Doris Leuthard was head of the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC). To commemorate the tenth anniversary of the nuclear disaster, the former Federal Councillor explains why it was essential to provide political support for nuclear safety after the accident.
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 the international community.
«The safety authorities cultivate a frank exchange of information. Swiss experts, for instance, support French colleagues during inspections of their nuclear power plants – and vice-versa. In this way we learn from each other and share our wealth of experience for the benefit of all countries.»
