Nuclear fusion: approaches to legal regulation

Cover Page

Cite item

Full Text

Open Access Open Access
Restricted Access Access granted
Restricted Access Subscription or Fee Access

Abstract

The article discusses approaches to the legal regulation of thermonuclear fusion at the international and national levels (UK, USA, China, Canada, Japan, Korea, EU, Russian Federation). Based on the analysis of the current state of legal regulation of thermonuclear fusion, it was revealed that not all states have managed to create their own regulatory framework in this area, and it was also concluded that the majority of the considered states adhere to (or have declared this intention) approach aimed at separating thermonuclear technologies from nuclear ones. The author noted differences in positions regarding the evolutionary approach – the establishment of deterministic requirements for the regulation of thermonuclear fusion as technology develops. The need to harmonize the regulation of thermonuclear fusion at the international level was emphasized, which requires the development and strengthening of international cooperation in order to develop agreed principles for ensuring common levels of safety and protection in the field of the use of thermonuclear energy.

Full Text

Restricted Access

About the authors

Marina S. Lizikova

Institute of State and Law of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Author for correspondence.
Email: lizikova_m@mail.ru

PhD in Law, Senior Researcher of the Sector of Civil and Business Law

Russian Federation, 10, Znamenka St., Moscow, 119019

References

  1. Kuryndin A. V., Kirkin A. M., Sinegribov S. V., Buchikhin M. A. Approaches to taking into account the features of innovative nuclear and thermonuclear technologies in their regulation and safety // X International Scientific and Practical Conference of Young Scientists and specialists of the nuclear industry “Team”: collection of abstracts, St. Petersburg, June 27–30, 2023. SPb., 2023. P. 73 (in Russ.).
  2. Lizikova M. S. International Atomic Law: innovative development of the legal environment // Proceedings of IGP RAS. 2023. Vol. 18. No. 5. Pp. 80–97 (in Russ.).
  3. Ferapontov A. V., Khamaza A. A., Sharafutdinov R. B. et al. Creation and improvement of the regulatory framework for safety in the use of atomic energy // Nuclear and radiation safety. 2022. No. 2 (104). Pp. 5–30 (in Russ.).
  4. Sharafutdinov R. B., Kurindin A. V., Kirkin A. M. et al. Installations of controlled thermonuclear fusion. Glossary (first edition). M., 2023 (in Russ.).
  5. Baojie Nie, Man Jiang, Muyi Ni, Fengchen Li. Preliminary environmental radiation considerations for CFETR // Fusion Engineering and Design. 2019. Vol. 140. Pp. 16–22.
  6. Cho J., Heo G., Lee Y. S., Kim H. J. Comparative Study on the Safety Characteristics of Fission and Fusion Power Plants in Korea // Fusion Science and Technology. 2011.Vol. 60 (1T). Pp. 69–74.
  7. El-Guebaly L. Managing Fusion Radioactive Materials: Approaches and Challenges Facing Fusion in the 21st century // Fusion Science and Technology. 2023. Vol. 78 (8). Pp. 919–931.
  8. Elbez-Uzana J., Williamsc L., Forbesd S. et al. Recommendations for the Future Regulation of Fusion Power Plants // Nuclear Fusion. 2024. Vol. 64 (3).
  9. Kim J. , Kim Y. , Kang C. et al. Safeguardability evaluation for a conceptual tritium production facility // Nuclear Engineering and Technology. 2024. Art. 103226.
  10. Langengen T., Macon-Cooney B. Revitalising Nuclear: The UK Can Be the Home of Commercial Fusion: Paper 23rd January 2025. URL: https://institute.global/insights/climate-and-energy/revitalising-nuclear-the-uk-can-be-the-home-of-commercial-fusion (accessed: 23.01.2025).
  11. Mohamed M., Zakuan N. D., Tengku Hassan T. N.A. et al. Global Development and Readiness of Nuclear Fusion Technology as the Alternative Source for Clean Energy Supply // Sustainability. 2024. Vol. 16 (10). Art. 4089.
  12. Peckinpaugh T. L., Stimers R. P., O’Neill M.L., Johns A. F. Overview of Policy and Technical Progress in Fusion Energy Development Around the World. URL: https://newenergytimes.com/v2/sr/iter/public/NATIONAL-LAW-REV-20200402.pdf (accessed: 23.01.2025).
  13. Roma A. C., Desai S. S. The Regulation of Fusion – A Practical and Innovation-Friendly Approach. February 2020. URL: https://www.hoganlovells.com/~/media/hogan-lovells/pdf/2020-pdfs/2020_02_14_hogan_lovells_the_regulation_of_fusion_a-practical.pdf (accessed: 23.01.2025).
  14. Sauter P. Safeguarding Nuclear Fusion – Nuclear Non-Proliferation Law in a Fusion-Powered Future // Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law & International Law (MPIL) Research Paper No. 2023-13. URL: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4448671
  15. Sungbo Moon, Hangsung Kim, Mu-Young Ahn et al. Chapter 9.6 – Safety assessments in the Republic of Korea // Fusion Energy Technology R&D Priorities / ed. by El-Guebaly L. A. Elsevier, 2025. Pp. 309–311.
  16. Tonhauser W., Olajos K. T. Nuclear fusion: Legal aspects // Nuclear Law Bulletin. 2023. No. 111. Р. 57–74.

Supplementary files

Supplementary Files
Action
1. JATS XML
Download

Copyright (c) 2025 Russian Academy of Sciences