Regulating innovative reactor designs (Chinese Edition)

The current regulations that govern the nuclear industry are tailored to the types of reactors that have been in use since the first commercial nuclear power plants began operation in the 1960s. Those regulations have evolved based on the experience gained over the past six decades. As new advanced nuclear reactors, including small modular reactors (SMRs), are developed, regulatory authorities are working to ensure that their processes, regulations and guidance also innovate in order for first-of-a-kind technologies to be deployed safely and securely. In order to address the challenges of regulating these innovative technologies, regulators themselves are exploring different strategies, such as reviewing the applicability of existing regulations, prioritizing the recruitment of technical staff with diverse specializations, and learning from the experiences of applicants and other regulators.