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SMR

​Small Modular Reactor

Small modular reactors (SMR) are becoming well sought after option to fulfil the need for flexible power generation for a wider range of users and applications. This Forum aims to identify, understand and address key regulatory challenges that may emerge in future SMR regulatory discussions. This will help enhance safety, efficiency in licensing, and enable regulators to inform changes, if necessary, to their requirements and regulatory practices.

The tabs below describe the objectives and outcomes of the Forum and more information can be found in the Terms of Reference.

The objectives of the SMR Regulators’ Forum are first to share SMR regulatory knowledge and experience among the members and other stakeholders to:

  • Facilitate robust and thorough regulatory decisions;
  • Encourage enhanced nuclear safety;
  • Facilitate international cooperation among regulators performing SMR-related assessments.

The second objective is to identify and resolve common safety issues that may challenge regulatory reviews associated with SMRs.

According to the terms of reference of the Forum, the outcomes of the Forum are as follow:

  • Positions statements on regulatory issues;
  • Suggestions for revisions to or to new IAEA documents;
  • Generate and share information that regulators may use to enhance their regulatory framework;
  • Description of the regulatory challenges and discussion on paths forward;
  • Suggestions for changes to international codes and standards.

From March 2015 to May 2017, a pilot phase of the Forum was conducted, with the objectives of addressing the following issues for both light-water and non-light-water SMR designs, by creating working groups:

  • Emergency Planning Zone; 
  • Defence-in-depth; 
  • Graded approach.

The discussions held in the Forum resulted in a Pilot Project Plan and the publication of a report. Such report includes a main body, providing information on the finding of the pilot projects and the conclusion and common positions achieved, and five appendixes containing the report of each working group.

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