The Russian regulator Rostechnadzor has started "testing the readiness for physical start-up" of unit 1 of the Leningrad Phase II nuclear power plant under construction in western Russia. Rosenergoatom, the nuclear power plant operator subsidiary of Rosatom, started cold and hot function testing at the VVER-1200 unit in April.

Lithuania has established and maintains a robust and comprehensive physical security framework, a team of experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has concluded. A separate team has found that Jordan has significantly strengthened its regulatory framework for nuclear and radiation safety in recent years.

Romania has significantly strengthened its regulatory framework for nuclear and radiation safety in recent years, a mission from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has concluded. The team also made recommendations for further improvement.

Corporate leadership, knowledge transfer to the 'young generation' and providing the necessary support to new units entering operations were among the subjects under discussion during the World Association of Nuclear Operators' 14th Biennial General Meeting, held in Gyeongju, South Korea. The BGM, under the theme of Leading Nuclear Safety in a Changing World, was attended by more than 300 experts from the WANO membership and other industry organisations.

Although the delay in receiving the construction licence for the Hanhikivi 1 nuclear power plant will not affect the cost of the project, its impact on the commissioning schedule will become clearer later this year, Fennovoima CEO Toni Hemminki told journalists last week. The company began excavation work at the site in Pyhäjoki in northern Finland in January last year.

The Nuclear Energy Institute has called on US regulators to reform its reactor design certification process by removing an extra tier of information designations it describes as unnecessarily burdensome. The NEI says five years of experience at US construction projects have shown Tier 2* designations reduce flexibility while imposing additional burdens and complexity on both licensee and regulator, without adding any safety benefit.

Recent International Atomic Energy Agency missions have found commitment to safety by France's nuclear safety regulator and the operator of a Norwegian research reactor. The agency, which last week concluded a nuclear security advisory mission to Germany, also said Poland is committed to the safe management of radioactive waste.

South Africa's Department of Environmental Affairs has authorised Eskom's Final Environmental Impact Report for a new nuclear power plant at Duynefontein. The site is next to the existing Koeberg nuclear power station.

The mechanical properties of the vessel head and bottom head of the Flamanville 3 EPR reactor pressure vessel are adequate and are therefore serviceable, the French nuclear regulator has concluded. However, the Autorité de Sûreté Nucléaire (ASN) still requires the vessel head to be replaced by the end of 2024.

European Utility Requirements (EUR) has approved modifications Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co Ltd has made to its APR1400 reactor design, according to Reuters. The approval by EUR - a technical advisory group for European utilities on nuclear power plants - means South Korea's state-run nuclear operator can further expand its export markets.

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission has amended three regulations covering nuclear facilities and uranium mines to apply the lessons learned from the Fukushima accident of 2011. The amendments include updates to radiation protection requirements during emergencies, and programs to ensure workers are prepared to respond effectively in emergency situations.

The World Association of Nuclear Operators and the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency are to cooperate on "the further development of approaches, practices and methods in order to proactively strengthen global nuclear safety" through a memorandum of understanding signed today at the NEA Headquarters in Paris. The signing ceremony was attended by WANO Chairman Jacques Régaldo and NEA Deputy Director-General and Chief Nuclear Officer Daniel Iracane.