Regulatory activities are always interconnected and are also shared with different authorities or governmental organizations due to the complexity and the thematic areas involved in the regulatory process. The licensing activities of a nuclear power plant represent a clear example of the neces­sity to arrange several different activities to authorize every stage during the lifetime of a nuclear power plant. The clear identification of interfaces and the coordination of different authorities with responsibilities for safety within the regulatory framework need to be carried out from the very start of the licensing process. Once identified, and in order to avoid any omissions, undue duplication or conflicting requirements, it is necessary to make provisions for effective coordination. The extent of the coordina­tion required among the numerous authorities and governmental organi­zations depends on the scope assigned to the nuclear regulator by the government. There are several mechanisms by which this coordination can be achieved, for example national agreements and memoranda of understandings. Clear responsibilities need to be established from the beginning and unavoidable overlaps have to be considered carefully and on a case-by-case basis.

One important aspect is that all collaboration mechanisms need to take into consideration the most appropriate form of communication among the authorities and governmental organizations involved and regular meetings should be held. Communication becomes crucial during the licensing process, in particular for a new nuclear power plant. Transparent and clear procedures need to be presented to the applicant or licensee to avoid any misunderstanding or confusion. The scope of this coordination process may vary significantly according to national arrangements. Key areas that need to be considered include: [1]