Good Practice on Independent Oversight from OSART Mission (EDF). Appendix IV.4

Nuclear Inspectorate in DPN (Division of Nuclear Power at EdF) and overall review process EGCI in DIN (Division of Nuclear Engineering at EdF) provide independent assessment by a highly competent and experienced staff, whose insights are acted upon by line management. Nuclear Inspectorate (NI) conducts a full-scope Overall Excellence Assessments (EGE) covering a broad scope of 13 functional areas. This function is resourced by 40 staff members of specific expertise with acquired experience and training. NI conducts EGEs on a 4-year cycle on all NPPs, and the EGEs are coordinated with WANO peer reviws and are conducted with highly competent staff experienced in operation. Assessors are highly respected by both station managers and corporate senior managers. NI authorities laid down in DPN quality management document, sub process for "Risk Management and Internal Control "- NL PIL 90 N, N PIL 100 N, and MP1 defines duties, responsibilities and authorities for on escalation process with NI. NI management manual procedure on qualification of all NI staff requires Maximum four years term for inspectors in independent assessment group of NI, Minimum requirements for NI staff include at least 5 years of operational experience on NPPs, and Team Leaders are required to have held a senior managerial position on an NPP. Independent assessment of all engineering centres is carried out within engineering division (DIN). Independent verification process ensures that all plant modifications are well defined and performed in such a way as to ensure safety is the overriding priority and thus strengthening the role of design authority. Significant design changes and modifications are evaluated and approved in CSNC (Committee for Nuclear Safety at the design stage). All engineering centres are systematically reviewed by independent assessors every three years using the EGCI. The EGCI external independent assessment team focuses on safety issues in engineering activities. The team consists of well qualified and experienced staff with experience in plant operation as well as engineering. Independent audits are also performed as topical inspections based on management request. The effectiveness of EGCI independent assessments is reviewed on an annual basis during DIN Nuclear Safety Management Review process and during analysis of events.