Since May 2006, the Technical Safety Organisations (TSOs) Bel V (formerly AVN, B), GRS (D) and IRSN (F) have been working together in the European TSO Network ETSON. On 3 November 2008, on the occasion of the 10^th EUROSAFE Forum, the Network was extended by the Czech and Finnish TSOs UJV and VTT. The network was founded with a perspective to also opening this co-operation to further TSOs in Europe.

The aim of this network is to promote and develop European scientific and technical co-operation between the TSOs in the field of nuclear safety. This will be achieved by exchanging in particular systematically R&D results and experience in connection with the operation of nuclear facilities and safety assessments. The partners promote a harmonisation of nuclear safety assessment practices in Europe and encourage initiatives to define and implement European research programmes This will support the further development of the international state of the art in science and technology by using common resources and synergies in all working areas.

The members of ETSON commit themselves, by applying their charter (TSO definition), to respect principles and values that guarantee their independence of judgement in their technical work and the quality of their services.

Further information on the European TSO net work is available in the following documents:

• Memorandum of Understanding on the Creation of the European TSO Network

• The TSO Definition

• European TSO Network - Rules of Procedure

• Working Groups of the European TSO Network

• Proposal on the European Operating Experience Feedback System

The purpose of the Safety Assessment Guide (SAG) is to provide recommendations/guidance to TSO (Technical Safety Organizations) experts for the process of reviewing and/or assessing the safety of nuclear facilities. It therefore assists the analysts with respect to the general objectives and the basis of safety assessment. Furthermore, it obtains descriptions of the typical recommendations for the analysis/review of nuclear safety cases and useful information on the assessment procedure itself.

• Safety Assessment Guide

In April 2007 the IAEA hosted the "International Conference on the Challenges faced by Technical and Scientific Support Organizations in Enhancing Nuclear Safety" in Aix-en-Provence.
The objective of this conference was to develop a common understanding of the TSO’s responsibilities, needs, and opportunities, as well as explore appropriate approaches and means to face current and expected challenges in nuclear and radiation safety.

Information about this important conference can be found in the

• Summary and Conclusions  by the conference's president, G. Li.

The IAEA is presently preparing a Safety Guide on technical and scientific support for the regulatory body. A follow-up to the above-mentioned conference in Aix-en-Provence is planned to take place in Japan in 2010.

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