Nuclear Safety and Security in Europe: JRC’s Strategic 3S Vision
Speaker: Dr. Alice Seibert (Project Manager, JRC – European Commission)
Introduction: A New Era for Nuclear Safety and Skills
In today’s debate on nuclear safety and security in Europe, the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) plays a leading role in setting standards and skills development
In an age of re-industrialization and energy transformation, the role of nuclear technology is once again in the spotlight. But as Dr. Alice Seibert of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) emphasized at binding.energy 2025, technology alone does not ensure safety. It must be supported by skills, systems and shared standards.
“Nuclear safety is not a finished product—it’s a mindset, a process, and above all, a shared responsibility,” Seibert explained in her keynote.
As the project manager for JRC’s nuclear safety and competence programme, Seibert outlined a pan-European strategyto ensure that the continent’s nuclear future remains safe, secure, and socially supported.
The 3S-by-Design Philosophy
JRC promotes a proactive framework called 3S-by-Design, which integrates:
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Safety – Technical and human robustness
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Security – Protection against malicious acts
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Safeguards – Material accounting & international controls
Rather than enforcing these pillars after design completion, the JRC calls for embedding them at the conceptual stage.
“If we want modular reactors to be scalable, we must embed 3S principles early—otherwise, we multiply regulatory obstacles,” Seibert noted.
The 3S Design Matrix
| 3S Dimension | Design Consideration |
|---|---|
| Safety | Passive systems, reduced human intervention, severe accident mitigation |
| Security | Access control, sabotage resistance, threat modeling |
| Safeguards | Design features for IAEA inspection, traceability, accounting of fissile material |
Investing in People: Europe’s Nuclear Skills Gap
Addressing the nuclear skills gap is a central part of ensuring nuclear safety and security in Europe, as competence is inseparable from safety culture.
A central theme in Seibert’s talk was workforce competence. According to Euratom directives and IAEA guidelines, training is a legal safety requirement.
Current Challenges:
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A wave of retirements threatens institutional memory
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New reactor designs require new skillsets (digital, modular)
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Regulatory authorities struggle to recruit and retain experts
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Some Member States lack national training infrastructure
JRC’s Actions:
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🎓 Collaborative Doctoral Partnerships (CDPs) across Europe
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🧪 Open lab access for researchers and operators
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🤝 Workshops with IAEA, OECD/NEA and ENEN
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🌍 Support for newcomer countries and non-nuclear Member States
Infobox: The Legal Backbone of Nuclear Training in the EU
📘 Legal Basis for Training Obligations:
- EU Safety Directive (2014/87/Euratom) – Art. 7: Safety culture & competence
- Waste Directive (2011/70/Euratom) – Art. 8: Technical capability for disposal
- Basic Safety Standards (BSS, 2013) – Chapter IV: Training & responsibility
- IAEA Safety Convention – Art. 11.2: Competence of staff & training frameworks
From Policy to Practice: What the JRC Delivers
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TRANSURANUS Fuel Code: Advanced modelling tool for fuel performance
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MSR Design Frameworks: Simulation for salt corrosion, online reprocessing
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Severe Accident Analysis: Risk-informed design principles
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Databases and Benchmarking Tools: For thermal-hydraulics, decay heat, and safeguards
All these are open to Member States, academia, and operators.
Europe’s Harmonization Goal – Beyond Borders
Seibert stressed that the JRC plays a key role in regulatory alignment within the EU:
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Supports ENEF, the European Nuclear Energy Forum
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Contributes to IAEA–EU joint reviews
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Co-develops safety assessment frameworks for SMRs
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Helps implement the Nuclear Safety Objectives for Gen III/IV reactors
This level of coordination is crucial for enabling cross-border licensing, investment, and public acceptance.
Conclusion: Safety, Secured by Knowledge
Dr. Seibert’s final message was clear:
“Without competence, even the best-designed reactor cannot be operated safely.”
The EU, through the JRC, has laid the groundwork for skills-based safety, design-integrated security, and science-based safeguards. With a growing focus on SMRs, decommissioning, and cross-border nuclear cooperation, these pillars are no longer optional, they are essential.
The JRC’s vision shows that nuclear safety and security in Europe depends not only on technology, but also on people, standards and cooperation.
