The nuclear power regulations in the scope of „Safety Standards for Nuclear Power Plants“, „RSK Guidelines for Pressurised Water Reactors“ as well as „Accident Guide-lines“ originate from the end of 70s to the beginning of the 80s. In some essential parts, they no more constitute the state-of-the-art in the requirements for the nuclear safety.

Therefore, in September 2003 the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) launched a conprehensive programme to update the nuclear regulations.

As updated on this basis, the nuclear regulations comply with the topical recommendations of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and of the Western European Nuclear Regulators Association (WENRA) in the field of requirements for nuclear safety. Called „Safety Requirements for Nuclear Power Plants“, the nuclear guidelines are available as Review C on the internet (http://regelwerk.grs.de). They are structured as modules and have been developed in a comprehensive and transparent procedure, thus comprising and taking into account about 8.500 comments from all shareholders.

The „Safety Requirements for Nuclear Power Plants“ serve as nuclear safety benchmarks in licensing procedures, regulatory inspections and safety reviews in compliance with Art. 19 a of the Atomic Act (AtG).