The RSK compiled the comments of its working groups for updating the nuclear codes and submitted them to the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) with the request to consider them in its update of the draft module.

The RSK discussed and approved the statement on the Licensing procedure for decommissioning and dismantling of the Obrigheim nuclear power plant (in German) prepared by the RSK Committee on FUEL SUPPLY AND WASTE MANAGEMENT (VE).

For a broader discussion on the use of digital safety I&C in the highest safety category of nuclear power plants, the RSK prepared a workshop to be held on 18./19. February 2008 in Bonn.

The RSK discussed first results from some RSK working groups dealing with the update of the nuclear codes.

It started with the preparation of the issues to be dealt with at the joint meeting 2007 with the Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Commission (KSA) on 27. – 28.9. 2007 in Bonn.

The RSK discussed and adopted the statement “Influence of hydrogen on the toughness behaviour of irradiated RPV steels" (in German) prepared by the RSK Committee on PRESSURE-RETAINING COMPONENTS AND MATERIALS (DKW).

The RSK started the consultations on the statement to be prepared together with the SSK on the GRS report “Safety requirements on the final disposal of high-level radioactive waste in deep geological formations”.

The BMU renewed the appointment of some RSK members and made some new appointments also to the RSK committees.

The RSK discussed and adopted the statement "Loss-of-coolant accidents involving the release of insulation material and other substances in pressurised water reactors – removal of deposits on sump strainers" prepared by the RSK Committee on PLANT AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING (AST).
In the course the discussions of the joint RSK and SSK statement on the GRS report “Safety requirements on the final disposal of high-level radioactive waste in deep geological formations”, the following topics were dealt with in particular

Isolation as primary objective of radioactive waste disposal,
safety principles and protection goals (in the IAEA standards referred to as fundamental safety functions) / safety assessment strategy for radioactive substances,
pros and cons regarding dose-based and risk-based acceptance criteria.

Following the statement “Loss-of-coolant accidents involving the release of insulation material and other substances in pressurised water reactors - removal of deposits on sump strainers”, adopted at the 406th meeting on 13.03.2008, there was further need for discussion on some requirements in this statement. As a result, the RSK agreed that adjustments in the statement are not necessary.

The RSK continued its consultation on the joint RSK and SSK statement on the GRS report “Safety requirements on the disposal of high-level radioactive waste in deep geological formations".

The BMU representative announced that, with letter of 28.04.2008, the Federal Minister for the Environment Gabriel appointed Mr Bandholz Chairman and Mr Hahn Vice-Chairman of the RSK, both until the end of April 2009.

The RSK completed its consultation on the joint RSK and SSK statement on the GRS report “Safety requirements on the disposal of high-level radioactive waste in deep geological formations" and passed the draft version to the SSK.

The RSK discussed and adopted the “Requirements on the operating reports of the operators for information of the RSK" (in German) updated by the RSK Committee on REACTOR OPERATION.

The RSK started the consultations on a statement on the strength theories within the scope of application of the KTA standards in connection with the re-evaluation of components and systems; here: on the issue of the optional applicability of the strength theories according to von Mises (maximum distortion energy theory (Gestaltänderungsenergiehypothese - GEH) and Tresca (maximum shear stress theory (Schubspannungshypothese, SH) in the KTA standards for pipes. The discussion concentrated on the

questions arising from the advisory request of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) “Which strength theory may be applied for the determination of the required wall thickness of pipes for German nuclear power plants in accordance with the state of the art in science and technology?“ and “Under which prerequisites and boundary conditions will deviations from it be permitted in accordance with the state of the art in science and technology?”, and
considerations of the RSK to limit the statement to pipes of the pressure-retaining boundary and the systems outside the primary circuit of code class A1 according to KTA-Standard 3211.2.

The RSK will continue its discussions on its 410th meeting on 24.07.2008.

The RSK and the BMU jointly discussed the first findings from the discussions started of the RSK working groups which dealt with the draft modules of Revision B of the new revised nuclear rules and regulations. This consultation shall focus on the judgement whether these are rules and regulations were appropriate and described the state of the art adequately; proposals on the structure of the rules and regulations were to be considered in the judgement as far as deemed necessary from the safety point of view.
With regard to the proceeding, considered at the Quadripartite Meeting 2006 (“International Cooperation“), that specific safety-related issues shall be discussed by working groups between the meetings taking place every four to five years, the RSK discussed topics to be proposed.

The RSK and the BMU continued their discussion on the revision of the nuclear rules and regulations and the way of assessment of the rules and regulations by the RSK. The RSK working groups presented information about the state of consultations on the draft modules of the rules and regulations.
The RSK prepared the joint discussion with the Commission on Radiological Protection (SSK) on the BMU order to give a statement on the GRS report “Safety requirements on the disposal of high-level radioactive waste in deep geological formations”. For the preparation of a draft statement, a working group of the RSK Committee on FUEL SUPPLY AND WASTE MANAGEMENT was established which also consists of SSK representatives.

The RSK discussed and passed its vote on the resolution documents on KTA standards to be dealt at the 60th meeting of the Nuclear Safety Standards Commission (KTA).

For the statement on the draft of new revised nuclear rules and regulations, requested by the BMU, the RSK completed its review criteria to be applied by the working groups established in their assessment of the different draft modules (392nd RSK meeting).

Following the previous discussions on analysis and conclusions from the event at the Swedish Forsmark 1 plant, report was given on the draft of a GRS Information Notice which had been dealt with more detailed by the RSK Committee on ELECTRIC INSTALLATIONS.