The Chinese national nuclear safety administration's regulation of operating nuclear power plants

As the regulatory body of China, the National Nuclear Safety Administration (NNSA) is responsible for the safety surveillance of civil nuclear installations. Two nuclear power plants, at Qinshan and Guangdong Daya Bay, are now in trial operation. NNSA has made a good start to its operational surveillance by formulating a set of regulations for nuclear power plant operation safety and by training staff, with reference to international safety management experience. Seminars are held frequently by NNSA for the dissemination of regulations and safety culture. Daily, routine and non-routine inspections, specified inspections and periodic meetings between NNSA/regional offices and the operating organizations are held. NNSA's regulation of the two operating nuclear power plants has enhanced the following of safety requirements by the operating organizations. NNSA makes strict requirements on compliance with technical specifications, control of safety related modifications and abnormal operational incidents, and follow-up of violations of regulations. Periodic and non-periodic safety performance assessment reports of operating plants are circulated to various departments and organizations concerned in order to improve the safety management of operating organizations. Systematic measures, especially quantitative assessment of the safety performance of nuclear power plants, still need to be development. (author). 1 tab