Key topics discussed included regulatory process efficiency, artificial intelligence, and risk-informed regulation

The CSN advances its international strategy through high-level meetings and exchanges of good practices with its U.S. counterpart

The Spanish Nuclear Safety Council (CSN by its acronym in Spanish) has participated in the 37th Regulatory Information Conference (RIC), held from March 11 to 13 in Washington, D.C. This event, organised by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), is one of the most significant international forums for the exchange of information and experiences on nuclear regulation.
The CSN delegation was led by its President, Juan Carlos Lentijo, accompanied by Commissioner Pilar Lucio and other representatives of the Spanish regulatory body. According to the organisers, this year’s edition gathered over 3,000 participants from 40 countries.
The conference was inaugurated by the newly appointed NRC Chairman, David A. Wright.  Chairman Wright focused his remarks on the implementation of regulation in the development of advanced nuclear technologies and the impact of artificial intelligence on nuclear oversight. He also emphasized the need to optimize regulatory processes for more efficient and timely safety and environmental reviews. Wright also highlighted the importance of fostering an organizational culture that promotes innovation within the U.S. regulatory body, while maintaining safety as the top priority.

Additionally, he addressed the importance of attracting and retaining talent in the face of technological and generational change, promoting internal development and mentoring to strengthen the NRC’s future workforce. He also underlined the crucial role of legislative support in ensuring that the U.S. regulator has the necessary tools to meet the challenges of nuclear regulation, both domestically and internationally.

Key Topics 

The RIC programme included technical sessions, panel discussions, and presentations on key issues for regulators, government administrations, and the nuclear sector. This year’s edition covered topics related to nuclear safety and regulation, with key discussions on the use of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity in the nuclear sector, and modernizing regulatory processes to improve efficiency. Additionally, relevant social issues were addressed, such as the inclusion of minorities and talent acquisition in the sector.
During the technical sessions, discussions focused on emergency preparedness strategies, optimizing safety reviews for decommissioning facilities, the use of advanced nuclear fuels, international cooperation on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), and the integration of nuclear energy into space exploration. Other key topics included the contribution of Quality Assurance to the safe operation of nuclear power plants, the future of transport of radioactive materials, and the use of improved technologies for future site characterization.

International Cooperation

The CSN has used this forum to strengthen cooperation with regulatory bodies worldwide, particularly with the NRC, which serves as a key reference for the Spanish nuclear safety framework. CSN President Juan Carlos Lentijo held informal meetings with his counterparts and international organizations, exchanging insights on current trends in nuclear regulation and best practices to ensure nuclear safety and radiation protection.
Spain and the United States maintain an active bilateral agreement, most recently renewed in 2020. Under this arrangement, both regulators continuously exchange technical information and conduct cooperation and training activities in various aspects of nuclear and radiological safety. This includes staff exchanges and training programmes. 
Several of the programs implemented in Spain for the supervision and control of nuclear facilities, including the technical regulations, the Integrated System for Nuclear Power Plants Supervision (SISC, by its acronym in Spanish) and the resident inspection program, are inspired by the NRC model.

International Strategy

CSN's presence in this forum is part of its international activity, which is one of its strengths. On the one hand, it allows it to constantly update and improve its knowledge and practices. On the other hand, it intensifies cooperation with counterparts in other countries.
These activities are included in the CSN's Strategy for International Relations, which addresses the four strategic objectives of the regulator that frame its international activities in accordance with its functions and define the lines to be followed. The strategic objectives are: promotion of international activities, representation of the CSN abroad, relations with counterparts and returns inherent to the CSN’s international activities. All this with the aim of maintaining the highest standards of nuclear safety and radiation protection.