The 32nd Management Board (MB) meeting of the NEA Component Operational Experience, Degradation and Ageing Programme (CODAP) was hosted by the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) on 9-10 September 2026 in Boulogne-Billancourt, France. The meeting brought together project members to review progress under Phase 5, share operational experience, and prepare for the launch of CODAP Phase 6, scheduled to run from 2027 to 2029.
Participants reviewed the status of the CODAP database and national data submissions, discussed ways to enhance the quality and completeness of operating experience records, and shared updates on activities within their respective organisations.
Members also discussed the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support database searches, and reviewed draft guidance on the use of AI chatbots within the CODAP database. Further actions were agreed to refine the guidance and develop illustrative use cases.
The Management Board agreed to grant access to the CODAP database to external research organisations once appropriate non-disclosure arrangements and post-project database management provisions have been established.
The meeting also considered future technical activities, including follow-up work on the recently completed topical report, potential database benchmarking studies, and topics for future CODAP reports. The value of international collaboration in understanding the ageing and degradation mechanisms affecting nuclear power plant components and systems was highlighted in the discussions.
During an operating experience exchange session, members shared recent events, lessons learnt, and examples of how the CODAP database supports safety and ageing management activities.
The next meeting, CODAP 33 and the kick-off meeting of Phase 6, is planned for spring 2027.
