Newcleo submits its SMR design to Euratom for safeguards assessment

France-based advanced reactor developer Newcleo has formally submitted the design of its lead-cooled fast small modular reactor (SMR) to Euratom for safeguards-by-design review, marking the start of a mandatory regulatory process under the European Union’s new nuclear safeguards framework. The requirement, introduced by Commission Regulation (Euratom) 2025/974 and in force since 6 July, obliges developers of new or modified nuclear facilities to integrate Euratom safeguards considerations at the design stage and provide detailed information to the European Commission.