On 1 July 2026, the Council adopted a partial general approach on a proposed regulation establishing the Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation and Decommissioning for the 2028-2034 period. The new instrument merges two existing Euratom regulations into a single legal framework, aiming to reduce administrative burden while covering both external nuclear safety cooperation with partner countries and internal decommissioning of Joint Research Centre (JRC) nuclear facilities.
The proposed regulation sets an indicative budget of EUR 966 million for 2028-2034, with additional resources possible from the Ukraine Reserve and other contributors. The external component focuses on promoting the highest nuclear safety standards, supporting safe spent fuel and radioactive waste management, and strengthening nuclear material safeguards in partner countries. Cooperation requires adherence to international conventions such as the Convention on Nuclear Safety and the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management. Priority is given to strengthening independent regulatory authorities and technical support organizations in partner countries.
The internal component covers decommissioning of JRC nuclear installations, radioactive waste management, and dissemination of decommissioning knowledge across the EU. It includes dismantling, waste management, knowledge sharing, and voluntary discussions with host Member States on liability transfer. Implementing rules align with the Global Europe Regulation for the external component and the Financial Regulation for the internal component.
The instrument simplifies the EU funding architecture by merging two previous regulations (Euratom 2021/100 and 2021/948), reducing administrative burden for beneficiaries and the Commission. It enhances the EU's ability to promote nuclear safety globally, leveraging high EU standards to influence partner countries. The instrument also supports Ukraine's nuclear safety needs amid the war, with dedicated financial resources and loan provisions. It ensures continued safe decommissioning of JRC sites, addressing historical nuclear liabilities and fostering knowledge exchange among Member States.
The partial general approach increases flexibility in programming to respond to unforeseen needs, but requires strict compliance with international nuclear safety criteria for partner countries. A potential voluntary transfer of JRC nuclear liabilities to host Member States is subject to bilateral agreements and full cost coverage by the EU.
EU regulatory bodies benefit from streamlined administration; partner countries gain enhanced nuclear safety support; JRC and host Member States see continued decommissioning progress; and EU taxpayers face a EUR 966 million budget commitment. The instrument balances nuclear safety promotion with financial flexibility, while maintaining strict non-proliferation conditions.