The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has formally renewed a cooperation arrangement and exchange of information agreement with the French nuclear regulator for another five years.
The memorandum expires next month and has now been extended until 2028.
Topics that will form part of this sharing of cross-Channel expertise include fleet operating experience, fuel and core considerations for European Pressurised Reactors and Pressurised Water Reactors, Periodic Safety Reviews, site decommissioning challenges, Generic Design Assessments and other potential new build cooperation.
The agreement was re-signed this week in Canada by Mark Foy, ONR's Chief Executive and Chief Nuclear Inspector, and Bernard Doroszczuk, President of France's Autorité de Sûreté Nucléaire (ASN).
Both have been present at this week's 51st International Nuclear Regulators Association (INRA) forum, an annual meeting to help enhance safety and security across the industry worldwide.
Mark said: "It is essential that we work collaboratively with fellow national regulators to share, learn and reflect good practice in what we do.
"An important and productive example of this has been our ongoing relationship with our colleagues at ASN.
"I was pleased to take advantage of our joint attendance at the recent INRA meeting in Toronto to re-sign the cooperation agreement with my ASN counterpart, Bernard Doroszczuk, which will allow our teams to continue to exchange information and work together at a time of significant change in the nuclear industry."
Bilateral agreements with other international nuclear regulators are secured to share information, experience and good practice where it is believed to be mutually beneficial and in the UK’s national interests.
In general, they cover the exchange of safety-related information concerning the regulation of siting, construction, commissioning, operation, transport of radioactive material, radioactive waste management and decommissioning of civil nuclear installations; and preparedness and management of nuclear and radiological emergencies.