The European Commission published a first Communication on the European stress tests of nuclear power plants. According to the Communication, the European stress tests of nuclear power plants are well on track and will further enhance nuclear safety and security in the EU. The final results will be known in 2012 once the tests are finalised.

The Commission published a very first Communication on the stress tests of European nuclear power plants. The results indicate that the tests are well on track and will further enhance nuclear safety and security in the EU. These tests started following the nuclear accident in Fukushima because the EU reacted swiftly and agreed on voluntary tests for all of its 143 nuclear power plants based on a set of common criteria. These criteria were agreed in May 2011.

On the results obtained so far, the Communication identifies a number of policy areas where further action is deemed necessary, either through better coordination among Member States or by proposing new EU legislation on nuclear safety: New EU legislation could define common criteria for the sitting, the design, the construction and the operation of nuclear power plants. Legal provisions should also enhance the independence of national regulators which grant the licence and make controls on the spot. Member States could put cross-border nuclear risk management plans to prepare better for a nuclear emergency and to coordinate their response actions. A European approach to liability should be achieved. Victims should become the same compensation irrespective of their country of residence. EU Research Programmes should focus on nuclear safety.

The tests, which are voluntary, are being carried out in all 14 EU Member States which operate nuclear power plants (Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and United Kingdom) and Lithuania, which is currently decommissioning its last nuclear power producing unit. EU neighbours such as Switzerland and Ukraine also participate actively in the exercise, whereas other neighbouring countries confirmed their commitment to participate.