--- type: "WebPage" title: "ESPN Order | Material characterization for nuclear safety in an ISO 17025 laboratory" description: "Are you looking to carry out material characterization in accordance with the ESPN Order within an ISO 17025 laboratory? What is an ESPN? Nuclear pressure equipment (ESPN) is among the main mechanical components ofnuclear reactors, such as the vessel containing..." resource: "https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/laboratory-analysis-nuclear-energy/espn-order-characterisation-of-materials-for-nuclear-safety-in-iso-17025-laboratories/" tags: ["EN", "pll_6585a858c5a3a"] timestamp: "2026-07-08T09:12:07Z" published: "2024-09-04T14:49:22Z" language: "en" author: "bwa" --- # ESPN Order | Material characterization for nuclear safety in an ISO 17025 laboratory ## Are you looking to carry out material characterization in accordance with the ESPN Order within an ISO 17025 laboratory? ### What is an ESPN? **Nuclear pressure equipment** (ESPN) is among the main mechanical components of nuclear reactors, such as the vessel containing the fuel or the steam generators of pressurized water reactors. These pieces of equipment are subjected to high pressures and temperatures and may contain radioactive fluid. They receive special attention. ### What does the ESPN Order say? Nuclear pressure equipment **is subject to regulations (the ESPN Order) to ensure the safety of nuclear power plants**. These regulations have evolved (Article 8.2): certain material characterization tests and welding witness coupons **must be carried out by testing laboratories accredited to ISO/IEC 17025**. Only test reports bearing the COFRAC mark (or an equivalent mark for a test carried out abroad) will be recognized as accredited. ## The FILAB laboratory supports manufacturers with material characterization in accordance with the ESPN Order within an ISO 17025 laboratory ### Why choose the FILAB laboratory? #### ISO 127025 accredited laboratory The **FILAB laboratory** is [accredited by COFRAC](https://filab.fr/en/about-us/accreditations-en/laboratory-analysis-iso-17025.md) *(French Accreditation Committee)*– Laboratories section – in its Chemistry, Metallurgy, Organic Chemistry, Chemical Expertise, and Materials Expertise departments #### Laboratory approved by EDF to carry out the analysis required for PMUC approval and PMUC inspections The FILAB laboratory is approved by EDF to carry out the analysis required for [PMUC approval and PMUC inspection](https://filab.fr/nos-prestations/analyse/analysis-pmuc/). Approved for many years for halogen and sulfur chemical analysis, FILAB’s approval has recently been extended to analysis specific to products in family 021 (ion exchange resins and conditioning products). FILAB laboratory’s expertise in the energy and nuclear sectors helps develop your industrial projects in terms of inspection, optimization, and advice related to your business. From the design stage to the implementation of your facilities, FILAB Laboratory supports you in assessing their compliance with international requirements through the following services: ## analysis for the energy and nuclear sector [Chemical analysis](https://filab.fr/nos-prestations/analyse/analysis-chimiques/) ([heavy metals](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-analysis-heavy-metal.md), additives, [residual solvents](https://filab.fr/nos-prestations/analyse/laboratoire-analysis-solvants-residuels-cov/)…) [Material characterization](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-material-testing.md) : [metal alloys](https://filab.fr/en/analysis-of-metallic-alloys-in-the-laboratory.md), [polymers](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/polymer-materials-analysis-laboratory.md), [composites](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/polymer-materials-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-analysis-composite-material.md), [ceramics](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-material-testing/laboratory-of-analysis-and-expertise-of-technical-ceramics.md)... [Thermal analysis](https://filab.fr/nos-prestations/analyse/laboratoire-caracterisation-des-materiaux/laboratoire-analysis-thermiques-thermogravimetriques/) [REACH analysis](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-reach-analysis/reach-analysis-filab-supports-you.md) [Surface analysis](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-surface-characterization.md) [Powder analysis](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-analysis-powder-characterization.md) [PMUC analysis (EDF approval)​](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/pmuc-analysis/pmuc-testing-laboratory.md) ## OUR RESOURCES Organic chemical analyses: [GCMS](https://filab.fr/nos-moyens-techniques/laboratoire-analyses-chromatographie-gazeuse/analyse-tdu-gc-ms/), [Py-GCMS](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources.md), LC-MSMS, [GPC](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-gpc-sec.md), [NMR](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-nmr.md), [FTIR](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-ftir-spectroscopy.md) Mineral chemical analyses: [ICP](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-icp-icp-ms-icp-aes.md), [XRD](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/x-ray-crystallography-laboratory-xrd.md), [IC](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-ion-chromatography.md) [Thermal performance analysis](https://filab.fr/nos-prestations/analyse/laboratoire-caracterisation-des-materiaux/laboratoire-analysis-thermiques-thermogravimetriques/) : [TGA](https://filab.fr/nos-moyens-techniques/laboratoire-analysis-atg/), [DSC](https://filab.fr/nos-moyens-techniques/laboratoire-analysis-dsc/) Metallurgical analyses: [ICP](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-icp-icp-ms-icp-aes.md), [SEM-FEG EDX](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-sem-scanning-electron-microscopy.md), [SEO](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-oes-alloys.md) Powder analyses: [XRD](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/x-ray-crystallography-laboratory-xrd.md), [SEM-FEG EDX](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-sem-scanning-electron-microscopy.md), [BET](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-bet.md) Surface analyses: [SEM-FEG EDX](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-bet.md), [XPS](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-xps-esca.md), [TOF-SIMS](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-tof-sims.md)