About the International RegLab Project

Disruptive technologies, such as artificial intelligence, learning algorithms, 3D printing, advanced robotics and drones are transforming entire sectors of the economy with the potential to result in major enhancements, including in nuclear safety. While recognising these new technologies could advance nuclear safety, accelerate the nuclear innovation cycle and attract young talent to nuclear careers, their deployment raises regulatory safety considerations and uncertainties.

Under the auspices of the NEA, the International RegLab Project will allow participants with technical, operational and regulatory expertise to explore through sandboxing how innovation proposals can be regulated and deployed.

Objective

The purpose of this International RegLab Joint Project is to undertake four RegLabs between March 2025 to August 2027 in topic areas focused on the deployment of disruptive innovations in the nuclear regulatory space. The outcome will be the development of insights or recommendations to aid the deployment of innovation in the nuclear sector that, where necessary, can inform work being undertaken by national and international technical committees and / or further research.

Each RegLab process provides an opportunity to:

• View innovation from diverse viewpoints using individuals with a variety of technical, operational and regulatory expertise.
• Allow regulators to test or find gaps in their processes, guidance and standards.
• Facilitate open dialogue and access to regulatory expertise.
• Identify risk reduction mechanisms and approaches.
• Reduce the cost and time of entry for innovation.
• Test technology and process innovation in a controlled environment.
• Accelerate diverse and inclusive practices across the sector.
• Inform future challenges / opportunities and develop capability within the sector.

The RegLab process is not:

• A short cut for existing regulatory processes.
• A means of changing regulation on a permanent basis. But it does provide an opportunity to challenge and potentially improve existing practices.
• An endorsement from regulators for a specific technology or process.

Based on the outcomes of these exercises, project members will share insights and recommendations to their national and international technical committees.

Collaboration 

The project promotes early-stage co-operation among stakeholders — including regulators, licensees, vendors, and technologists — at an international level during the early stages of deployment and regulatory development.

Working in co-operation with the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) ISOP Network, the initiative brings together the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), France’s Autorité de sûreté nucléaire et de radioprotection (Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Authority, or ASNR), Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA), the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI), the Nuclear Safety Council (CSN) of Spain, the United Kingdom’s Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) of the United Arab Emirates.

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