AREVA's commitments

Minimizing the environmental impact of plant activities

The AREVA group strives to carry out its operations in facilities that are safe and clean and that consume a minimal amount of natural resources. 

This is the objective of the policies in place at  AREVA's Tricastin plants, all of which are currently certified in compliance with the ISO 14001 standard.

In 2009, the results of the 19 000 analyses carried out within the scope of regulatory surveillance showed a zero impact on health tied to the effluents discharged by the Tricastin nuclear complex. In addition, the quantity of effluents discharged remains below the regulatory limits. The maximum radiation dose received by the reference group located at “Clos-de-Bonnot “ in 2009 was 0.0007 mSv, a figure that is far below the regulatory limit of 1 mSv per year (more than 1400 times less).

In regard to protecting and preserving the environment,  the year 2009 was primarily devoted to pursuing the audits commenced in 2007 concerning:

• strengthening monitoring in the oldest activity zones,
• the initiation of several feasibility studies to find ways to improve existing provisions to lower the environmental impact of Tricastin’s activities.

Risk management and prevention

The nuclear safety strategy for the facilities has been attuned to the full range of risks and their underlying factors, as well as to the severity of potential consequences. For the sites, this means managing an array of technical and organizational tools from the design phase straight through to decommissioning so as to:

• ensure the effective functioning and state of repair of the installations (including for transport and waste management) to preclude any danger to workers, the public, and the environment
• anticipate abnormal situations and accidents in order to limit their effects 

Conservation of resources

For several years now, the AREVA companies in Tricastin have been working diligently to reduce their consumption of water and power in order to contribute to the conservation of our planet's resources. The results attained, particularly with respect to water consumption, have surpassed the set targets.

'Good citizenship' and involvement of all of our workers have played a role in achieving these results. The "eco-efficiency" approach is widely promoted, motivating individuals to internalize environmentally-friendly practices.

Reduction and recycling of waste

Like all industries, the nuclear industry produces waste from the use, maintenance, operation, and decommissioning of facilities. 

This waste falls into various categories defined by law, with specific provisions that must be taken into account: (hazardous and non-hazardous) industrial waste and radioactive waste.

To reduce and recover waste, AREVA’s facilities at Tricastin specifically focus on:

• decreasing the quantity of raw materials used in the nuclear facilities,
• sorting, analyzing and treating waste at the source, so as to direct it to the best suited storage center or recycling plant,
• making the sorting of non-radioactive waste and its recycling a routine procedure.

The possibility of constructing a Nuclear Waste Treatment Facility (CNDT) at Tricastin is currently being investigated to improve waste management on site. 

Protecting public health and guaranteeing staff safety

AREVA's safety objective is to strive towards zero accidents. Constant vigilance is required in order to maintain optimal health and safety conditions for our staff and the general public. 

AREVA's Tricastin facilities are supported by the international OHSAS 18001 specification, which certifies the requirements for occupational health and safety management.

Capability building

AREVA has 2,910 employees working at the Tricastin site. These highly-skilled, dynamic, and dedicated women and men possess expertise specific to the nuclear energy sector. One of the group's objectives is to support them in their career development while adhering to the highest principles of workplace equality.

Integration into the local environment

For over forty years, AREVA companies in Tricastin have played an active role in local socio-economic development. They also benefit from harmonious integration with their environment.

In addition to the economic benefits directly associated with its activities, the increase in employment, employee earnings, local taxes and duties paid as well as purchases made locally, AREVA also supports local economic development outside of the nuclear power sector.