The restructuring of nuclear safety regulation in France has taken a large step forward with the approval by both houses of the French parliament of a bill that would merge the existing regulator and its technical and research body into one entity, to be known as the Autorité de Sûreté Nucléaire et de Radioprotection.

The new body, which will be known by the acronym ASNR, is due to come into force on 1 January 2025.

The Assemblée Nationale, the lower house of the parliament. voted 340 to 173 in favour, while the upper house, the senate, voted 235 to 109 to approve the bill on 9 April.

The legislation, proposed by the government, will now go to French president Emmanuel Macron for signature and final approval.