Nuclear Safety

US NRC Final Rule Adds Conditional Sunset for Aircraft Impact Assessment (10 CFR 50.150)

In April 2026 the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission finalised a rule inserting a conditional sunset clause into 10 CFR 50.150, under which its aircraft impact assessment requirements will automatically lapse on 8 April 2027 unless the agency extends them following a new cost–benefit review. For nuclear new‑build projects this signals a potential relaxation of a non‑essential design‑stage safety enhancement, while core licensing, beyond‑design‑basis mitigation and siting requirements for aircraft hazards remain in force through other NRC regulations.

10 Apr 2026, 13:07federalregister.govUnited States

Germany: Lower Saxony Approves Interim Storage for Low- and Intermediate-Level Radioactive Waste from Grohnde Decommissioning

In April 2026, Lower Saxony’s environment ministry approved on‑site interim storage of low‑ and intermediate‑level radioactive waste from the decommissioning of the Grohnde nuclear power plant. This removes a key bottleneck for dismantling and waste logistics but locks in long‑term obligations around nuclear safety oversight, storage capacity and eventual transfer to the federal final repository.

10 Apr 2026, 12:47umwelt.niedersachsen.deGermany

Finland Decree 196/2026 Clarifies Nuclear Liability Act Scope for Certain Nuclear Materials

Finland enacted Decree 196/2026, effective April 1, 2026, clarifying the scope of the Nuclear Liability Act for specific nuclear materials. This alignment with international standards streamlines liability management and insurance requirements for operators handling low-risk or small-quantity nuclear substances.

9 Apr 2026, 17:56finlex.fiFinland

Finland Issues Decree 208/2026 Repealing Nuclear Liability Act Certificate Decision

Finland repealed the 1978 decision on nuclear liability certificates effective April 1, 2026, updating the administrative framework for nuclear transport. Operators must ensure continued compliance with Section 40 of the Nuclear Liability Act by verifying current certificate formats and approval procedures with national authorities.

9 Apr 2026, 17:45finlex.fiFinland

Spain: Nuclear Safety Council Rectifies Instruction IS-10 (Rev. 2) on Nuclear Event Notification Criteria

Spain's Nuclear Safety Council (CSN) has rectified Instruction IS-10 (Rev. 2), clarifying event notification criteria and mandating new reporting formats for nuclear safety incidents. Nuclear operators must update internal compliance procedures to align with the revised Annex I templates to ensure adherence to mandatory reporting timelines.

9 Apr 2026, 14:48boe.esSpain

US NRC Renews Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant Licenses and Issues Record of Decision

The US NRC has issued renewed operating licenses for the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, authorizing continued power generation for Units 1 and 2 through April 2026. This decision secures critical baseload energy capacity and confirms the facility's compliance with updated federal safety and environmental standards, providing long-term operational certainty for the regional energy market.

9 Apr 2026, 09:53federalregister.govUnited States

Slovenia Committee for the Economy Schedules Review of Draft Nuclear Land-Use Regulation (EVA: 2025-2560-0017)

Slovenia’s Committee for the Economy has advanced a draft regulation updating land-use restrictions and construction requirements around nuclear facilities, including the Krško Nuclear Power Plant. Businesses operating or planning construction in these zones must prepare for stricter incident reporting mandates and updated spatial planning constraints aligned with current building legislation.

3 Apr 2026, 18:31gov.siSlovenia

UK Regulators Complete GDA Step 2 Fundamental Assessment for Holtec SMR-300 Reactor Design

UK regulators completed the Step 2 Fundamental Assessment for Holtec’s SMR-300 reactor design in March 2026, finding no fundamental environmental or safety shortfalls. This milestone reduces regulatory uncertainty for SMR deployment, signaling a clear path toward detailed design assessment and future site-specific permitting.

2 Apr 2026, 09:35gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Environment Agency and ONR Publish GDA Step 2 Fundamental Assessment for Holtec SMR-300 Reactor

UK regulators completed the Step 2 fundamental assessment of the Holtec SMR-300 reactor design in March 2026. This milestone reduces regulatory risk for prospective operators and signals progress toward the commercial deployment of small modular reactors in England and Wales.

2 Apr 2026, 09:35gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Japan METI Receives Chubu Electric Response To Electricity Business Act Report Order On Hamaoka Nuclear Works

METI received Chubu Electric's formal response on March 31, 2026, addressing governance failures and procurement irregularities at the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station. This signals intensified regulatory scrutiny of utility governance and procurement integrity, necessitating robust internal controls and cross-divisional oversight for infrastructure safety projects.

2 Apr 2026, 09:33meti.go.jpJapan

Japan METI Approves Reiwa 7 Nuclear Damage Compensation Contributions and Decommissioning Reserve Amounts

Japan’s METI has finalized the Reiwa 7 nuclear damage compensation contributions and decommissioning reserve amounts for domestic nuclear operators. These approvals establish the specific financial obligations for utilities to fund long-term decommissioning and liability frameworks without altering existing legal requirements.

2 Apr 2026, 09:32meti.go.jpJapan

Japan METI Requests Additional Reporting From Chubu Electric on Hamaoka Nuclear Plant Seismic Evaluation

METI has intensified enforcement against Chubu Electric, demanding a comprehensive root-cause analysis of seismic safety evaluation failures at the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant. This signals heightened regulatory scrutiny of nuclear infrastructure resilience, likely delaying reactor restarts and increasing compliance oversight for the Japanese energy sector.

2 Apr 2026, 09:32meti.go.jpJapan

China MEE Consults On Intended EIA Approval For Taishan NPP Units 1–2 Spent Fuel Dry Storage Project

China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment issued a notice of intent to approve the Environmental Impact Assessment for the Taishan Nuclear Power Plant's spent fuel dry storage retrofit in March 2026. This development underscores the regulatory focus on long-term radioactive waste management and requires nuclear operators to maintain rigorous environmental safeguards to secure operational licenses.

2 Apr 2026, 08:50mee.gov.cnChina

US NRC Final Rule Amends Categorical Exclusions From Environmental Review (10 CFR Part 51)

The US NRC has expanded the list of categorical exclusions under NEPA, effective April 29, 2026, to streamline environmental reviews for nuclear licensing and administrative actions. This deregulatory shift reduces administrative burdens and transaction costs for operators by exempting routine activities—such as security upgrades and spent fuel storage changes—from lengthy environmental assessments.

1 Apr 2026, 14:19govinfo.govUnited States

Environment Agency Replaces Generic RSR Leadership Principles With Nuclear Sites Guidance

The Environment Agency has finalized the replacement of generic Radioactive Substances Regulation (RSR) leadership principles with updated, operator-focused guidance for nuclear sites. Nuclear site licensees must align their management systems with these international-standard-based expectations to maintain permit compliance and ensure public safety.

31 Mar 2026, 19:14gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Belgium / Netherlands: FANC Public Inquiry on Doel 3 Nuclear Reactor Decommissioning and Waste Management Units

Belgian and Dutch authorities have opened a public inquiry through April 30, 2026, regarding the decommissioning of the Doel 3 nuclear reactor and new waste management units. This marks a pivotal phase in regional nuclear transition, requiring stakeholders to navigate complex radiological safety approvals and long-term waste infrastructure planning.

31 Mar 2026, 18:58fanc.fgov.beNetherlandsBelgium

European Commission Opens Evaluation Of Radioactive Waste And Shipments Directives

The European Commission has launched a public consultation to evaluate the effectiveness of current EU frameworks for radioactive waste management and transboundary shipments. This review signals potential future legislative updates, offering stakeholders an opportunity to shape the regulatory requirements for nuclear waste handling and logistics.

29 Mar 2026, 18:29ec.europa.euEuropean Union

US NRC Finalises Risk-Informed, Technology-Inclusive Regulatory Framework for Advanced Reactors

The US NRC has finalized 10 CFR Part 53, establishing a risk-informed, technology-inclusive regulatory framework for advanced nuclear reactors, effective April 29, 2026. This optional licensing pathway allows developers to tailor safety and security requirements to specific reactor designs, potentially reducing regulatory hurdles for next-generation nuclear deployment.

29 Mar 2026, 06:37govinfo.govUnited States

Netherlands Updates VOBK Guidance and Adopts ANVS Policy Rule for Nuclear Installations

The Netherlands has formally adopted the ANVS Policy Rule VOBK and updated safety guidelines for nuclear installations to align with international IAEA and WENRA standards. Operators must adopt these benchmarks for new license applications and periodic safety reviews, anticipating a transition from policy guidance to binding legislative requirements.

28 Mar 2026, 20:26open.overheid.nlNetherlands

Mexico Proposes Draft NOM PROY-NOM-001-NUCL-2025 On Ionising Radiation Dose Factors

Mexico has proposed draft standard PROY-NOM-001-NUCL-2025 to update calculation factors for ionizing radiation dose equivalents, with comments due by May 24, 2026. Operators and dosimetry providers should evaluate internal assessment software and documentation to ensure alignment with these revised methodologies for radiation protection compliance.

26 Mar 2026, 19:32docs.wto.orgMexico