ESPN Order | Characterisation of materials for nuclear safety in ISO 17025 laboratories
You would like to carry out material characterisation in accordance with the ESPN decree in an ISO 17025 laboratory.
What is ESPN?
Nuclear pressure equipment (NPE ) is one of the main mechanical components of
nuclear power reactors, such as the vessel containing the fuel or the steam generators in pressurised water reactors. This equipment is subject to high pressures and temperatures and is likely to contain a radioactive fluid. Special attention is paid to them.
What does the ESPN decree say?
Nuclear pressure equipment is subject to regulations (ESPN decree) to ensure the safety of nuclear power plants. These regulations have changed (article 8.2): certain tests to characterise materials and weld witness coupons must be carried out by test laboratories with ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation. Only test reports bearing the COFRAC mark (or equivalent for testing abroad) will be recognised as accredited.
The FILAB laboratory supports manufacturers in characterising materials in accordance with the ESPN decree in an ISO 17025 laboratory.
Why choose the FILAB laboratory?
ISO 127025 accredited laboratory
The FILAB laboratory is accredited by COFRAC (Comité Français d’Accréditation) – Laboratories section – for its Chemistry, Metallurgy, Organic Chemistry, Chemistry Expertise and Materials Expertise departments .
Laboratory approved by EDF to carry out the analyses required for PMUC approval and PMUC checks
The FILAB laboratory is approved by EDF to carry out the analyses required for PMUC approval and PMUC control. FILAB has been approved for many years for chemical analyses of halogens and sulphur, and its approval has recently been extended to cover analyses specific to products in the 021 family (ion exchange resins and conditioning products).
The FILAB laboratory’s expertise in the energy and nuclear field contributes to the development of your industrial projects in terms of inspection, optimisation and advice on your activity. From the design to the implementation of your installations, FILAB assists you in assessing their compliance with international requirements through the following services:
analyses of the energy and nuclear sector
