Analysis of the Harmonization Process and Achievements of Nuclear Power Safety Regulatory Harmonization in WENRA

This study, based on official WENRA documents and employing a case study approach, systematically analyzes the process, framework, and implementation outcomes of the Western European Nuclear Regulators’ Association’s (WENRA) efforts to harmonize nuclear power plant safety regulatory standards. Using France as a typical case, it explores the challenges encountered and the achievements made. Ultimately, the study provides strategic recommendations for building a regional nuclear safety cooperation framework in East Asia (China, Japan, and South Korea). The results indicate that France adopted a pragmatic step-by-step implementation strategy, prioritizing systematic legal framework renewal over rapid formal compliance. By integrating WENRA’s Safety Reference Levels (SRLs) into domestic regulations supplemented by technical guidelines, France successfully established a more comprehensive safety system. East Asia can draw lessons from the experiences of WENRA and France by adopting a phased coordination strategy to face the challenges posed by diverse energy policies and regulatory frameworks. First, initiate thematic dialogues focusing on comparative studies in areas of common concern such as Periodic Safety Review (PSR), external hazards, and aging management. Second, draft common SRLs in selected fields, encouraging countries to conduct self-assessments to explore the feasibility of standard alignment. Third, establish a trust-based peer review and annual reporting mechanism to promote substantive cooperation through mutual evaluation and national action plans.