Board for Stress Tests in Third Countries

Mandate

The Board leads and supervises peer reviews of national stress test reports of nuclear power plants in non-EU countries, in line with ENSREG’s methodology and standard practices. 

The Board’s activities also cover the review of third countries’ national action plans, addressing the recommendations from stress test reports and ENSREG peer review teams’ reports, taking account of relevant reference documents. 

Subject to approval by ENSREG, the Board assesses requests from third countries for stress test reviews and is also responsible for scheduling ongoing and upcoming reviews. The Board ensures the consistency of stress test approaches across host countries and ensures that the stress test methodology and specifications are up to date. To do so, the Board takes into account the most recent technical developments and applicable international safety standards and recommendations as well as lessons learned from peer reviews. 

Main tasks and activities

1. Organisation of initial stress test peer reviews
   1. supervising the preparation of the practical arrangements document for a given host country
   2. ensuring that ENSREG’s host country practical arrangements, including ENSREG’s guidance on transparency and public involvement, are implemented properly
   3. assessing requests from third countries for ENSREG stress testing support and submitting its assessment to ENSREG
   4. scheduling peer review activities
   5. proposing, for approval by ENSREG, the team leader and, if necessary, deputy team leader, for each peer review exercise (the team leader is responsible for nominating the coordinator within the review team for each topic)
   6. drawing up the list of experts for each peer review exercise, chosen from among the experts nominated by their countries
   7. agreeing on the general structure of peer review reports
   8. reviewing the draft peer review reports prepared before host country visits
   9. presenting the final version of the peer review report to the host country
   10. providing guidance on transparency and communication in respect of peer reviews;
   11. submitting the review report to ENSREG for endorsement.

2. Follow-up of national action plans and their implementation
   1. deciding on the extent and timing of follow-up activities with host countries, including on the need for site missions
   2. proposing team leaders and experts as required for review mission/desktop exercises (follow-up activities are usually carried out by those who participated in the original stress test)
   3. reviewing draft peer review reports
   4. submitting the review report to ENSREG for approval.

3. Review of stress test specifications and updating them as required

Membership and operation

The Board is chaired by ENSREG member Mr P. Tiippana, Director General of the Finish Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority. The Chair reports on the Board’s activities to ENSREG. The members of the Board are appointed from ENSREG member countries as follows:

• the Chair
• representative of a ‘nuclear’ EU country
• representative of a ‘non-nuclear’ EU country
• European Commission representative.

If needed, ENSREG may appoint one or more additional members bringing additional knowledge or experience, for instance, in a specific reactor technology or field.

Peer review team leaders participate in meetings organised by the Board if the Board agenda includes peer reviews for which they are responsible.

Board members are normally appointed for 3 years. Their term may be extended or renewed.

The Board meets as needed, depending on the number and status of ongoing or forthcoming peer review exercises.