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European Nuclear Safety Regulators Group

Task Force on Fusion Energy

Mandate

  • The Task Force on Fusion Energy was set up in March 2026 to provide guidance on: A safety objective and a risk-proportionate approach for regulation, licensing and oversight of fusion facilities, based on a technology-neutral perspective and taking account of the existing Euratom legislation and practices;
  • Technical areas requiring development of fusion-specific engineering codes and standards;
  • Competence building and knowledge management within EU Member States’ regulatory authorities, focusing on common technical and organizational cross-cutting themes on fusion energy. 

The Task Force will also support the Commission in implementation of ENSREG recommendations on fusion energy.

 

Main Tasks & Activities

Pursuant to its mandate the Task Force will:

  1. Evaluate the adequacy of the Euratom nuclear safety framework for licensing of fusion facilities with a view to enabling the safe commercial utilization of fusion technologies and development of fusion power plants; and shall compile existing lessons learned (for example, from ITER).
  2. Identify possible gaps in the Euratom nuclear safety framework, identify and specify, when relevant, new safety principles and requirements, guidelines or other arrangements specific to fusion, and make recommendations.
  3. Where possible, analyze the available data of existing pilot cases (e.g. tokamak, laser-based facilities) to verify the adequacy of the Euratom nuclear safety framework among participating Member States.
  4. Recommend development of engineering codes and standards on fusion energy and identify corresponding priorities.
  5. Assess the needs for and make recommendations on skills’ development and training for EU regulatory authorities in order to prepare them for the licensing and regulatory oversight of future fusion facilities.
  6. Evaluate international regulatory approaches, identify lessons learned and good practices and take due consideration of the relevant safety standards, guidance and recommendations of international organizations (for example, IAEA).
  7. Create an interface with and contribute to the exchange of experience and views on regulatory aspects of fusion energy with regulators, industry, the supply chain, research institutions and other relevant stakeholders.

The tasks will be carried out in two phases: 1) analysis and identifying the needs (2026-2027) and 2) support the Commission in implementation of ENSREG recommendations (2028-2031).

 

Membership and operation

The Task Force is chaired by ENSREG member Mr. Andreas Sikorski, Director-General of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. The Task Force experts have competence in the areas of nuclear safety relevant to fusion facilities. Observers may be invited by the ENSREG Task Force to participate in its meetings.

The Task Force meetings take place three times a year or more frequently when needed. They take place in person or online.