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.

News

9 February 2015

Federal Council Appoints ENSI’s Director General Wanner as Head of Delegation to Conference on Amending Convention on Nuclear Safety

The countries which are contracting parties to the CNS will meet in Vienna on 9 February 2015 to discuss a Swiss proposal to improve the safety of nuclear power plants.

Ausserordentliche Konferenz zur Convention on Nuclear Safety CNS

3 October 2014

Switzerland is lobbying to introduce stricter safety provisions for nuclear power plants throughout the world

At the beginning of February 2015, the international community will discuss a Swiss amendment proposal to improve the Convention on Nuclear Safety: its aim is to enhance the safety of nuclear power plants throughout the world. ENSI is currently working to persuade Contracting Parties to amend the CNS.

17 September 2014

ENSI adopts a strategy for international cooperation

The Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate has drawn up a strategy for international cooperation. Key aspects of the work with other countries and international bodies are defined in this strategy, which will also enable ENSI to play its part in improving nuclear supervision on a continuous basis.

8 April 2014

Switzerland achieves majority in favour of improving the Convention on Nuclear Safety

A majority of the Contracting Parties to the Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS) has supported Switzerland’s proposal to amend the Convention and have expressed their will to discuss it at a Diplomatic Conference.

31 March 2014

“We shall make every possible effort to ensure that nuclear power plants throughout the world become safer”

In the aftermath of the reactor accident at Fukushima, the Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (ENSI) has submitted a proposal to amend the Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS). In this interview, ENSI Director General Hans Wanner explains the reasons that prompted the motion.

29 August 2013

ENSI follows WENRA recommendation on review of reactor pressure vessels

The Swiss nuclear power plants (NPP) Beznau and Gösgen are required to perform standardized safety reviews of the base materials in their reactor pressure vessels to check for possible manufacturing flaws. Through this requirement, the Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate ENSI is implementing a recommendation issued by the Western European Nuclear Regulators Association (WENRA).

16 August 2013

Switzerland submits its National Report to the Convention on Nuclear Safety at the IAEA

Switzerland has submitted its sixth National Report to the Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS). Among other aspects, the report describes how the action plan of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been implemented to date.

7 January 2013

EU Stress Test: Swiss status report for 2012 submitted

The Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (ENSI) submitted its Stress Test status report to the EU at the end of 2012. The report documents how Switzerland is implementing the recommendations based on last year’s ENSREG Peer Review.

11 March 2012

IAEA recommends strengthening ENSI

Experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recommend that the position of the Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (ENSI) should be strengthened. Specifically, it should be possible for final decisions to be taken by ENSI rather than by the Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC). In addition, committees should submit their reports directly to ENSI.