Sittings · Document

Adopted text 2026-09-16

Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation 2028-2034

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Parliament's amended version of a proposed Council regulation sets up the Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation and Decommissioning for 2028-2034, replacing two earlier Euratom regulations. The Instrument has an external component for nuclear safety cooperation with partner countries and an internal component for decommissioning the Commission's nuclear installations at Joint Research Centre sites. It sets a programme envelope of EUR 966 000 000 in current prices for 1 January 2028 to 31 December 2034, with extra resources for Ukraine possible from the Ukraine Reserve. It requires a Commission strategy for international nuclear safety cooperation by the end of 2027, multiannual indicative programmes, action plans, and a committee to assist the Commission. It lays down eligibility criteria for partner countries, rules on transparency, monitoring and knowledge sharing, and repeals Regulations (Euratom) 2021/100 and (Euratom) 2021/948 from 1 January 2028.

Key points

  1. The regulation establishes the Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation and Decommissioning and sets its objectives, budget for 2028-2034, funding forms and rules.
  2. The external component aims to promote nuclear safety, radiation protection, safe spent fuel and radioactive waste management, decommissioning and nuclear safeguards in partner countries.
  3. The external component also aims to strengthen the security and resilience of critical energy infrastructure, including nuclear sites, against cybersecurity and hybrid threats such as attacks by unmanned aerial systems.
  4. The internal component supports decommissioning of the Commission's nuclear installations at JRC sites in Belgium, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands, and safe management of associated waste.
  5. The internal component also supports sharing knowledge and best practices from decommissioning with regulators, industry and training institutions.
  6. The programme envelope is EUR 966 000 000 in current prices for 1 January 2028 to 31 December 2034, with possible additional resources for Ukraine from the Ukraine Reserve.
  7. The Commission must adopt a comprehensive strategy for international nuclear safety cooperation by the end of 2027, identifying areas of greatest added value and setting objectives and tools.
  8. The external component is implemented through multiannual indicative programmes and annual or multiannual action plans adopted by implementing acts, with some measures exempt from the examination procedure.
  9. Partner countries must meet criteria: for safeguards, be parties to the Non-Proliferation Treaty with a Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement or Additional Protocol; for safety, be active parties to the Convention on Nuclear Safety and the Joint Convention.
  10. Cooperation with countries not meeting the criteria is exceptional and limited to nuclear accident or radiological emergency support; candidates unable to meet criteria are an exception subject to prior consultation of the INSC Committee.
  11. The Commission must ensure transparency on fund allocation and nuclear safety measures, and inform Parliament regularly; partner countries must make information on nuclear safety measures public.
  12. Regulations (Euratom) 2021/100 and (Euratom) 2021/948 are repealed from 1 January 2028, with ongoing actions continuing until closure.

Who is affected

  • Partner countries seeking nuclear safety, safeguards or waste management cooperation must meet eligibility criteria and accept evaluation.
  • Ukraine is prioritised for support due to risks to its nuclear infrastructure, with possible loans and resources from the Ukraine Reserve.
  • Host Member States of JRC sites (Belgium, Germany, Italy, Netherlands) may negotiate voluntary transfer of nuclear liabilities with the Commission.
  • The Joint Research Centre is responsible for decommissioning its nuclear installations and disseminating knowledge.
  • The Commission must adopt a strategy, implement the Instrument, ensure transparency and report to Parliament.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 966 000 000 in current prices (EUR 853 942 000 in 2025 prices) for the programme envelope for 1 January 2028 to 31 December 2034.
  • EUR 10 million: maximum Union funding for special measures and support measures exempt from the examination procedure.
  • 20%: maximum increase of the budget of action plans and measures allowed as a technical amendment without examination procedure.
  • 1 January 2028: date from which the regulation applies and from which Regulations (Euratom) 2021/100 and (Euratom) 2021/948 are repealed.
  • End of 2027: deadline for the Commission to adopt the strategy for international nuclear safety cooperation.
  • Two years from entry into force: deadline for negotiations between the Commission and a host Member State on transfer of nuclear liabilities to start.
  • 20th day following publication: date of entry into force of the regulation.

Legal basis: Article 203 of the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community.

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