On 14 August 2014, the European Union’s (“EU”) new nuclear safety directive, Council Directive 2014/87/EURATOM (“2014 Directive”),1 will come into force as an EU-wide legally binding instrument.2 The 2014 Directive amends the Council Directive 2009/71/EURATOM (“2009 Directive”)3 by seeking to further bolster the framework for the safety of nuclear installations in the EU.

Here we explain the background to the 2014 Directive, as well as summarise some of the main amendments to the 2009 Directive and potential impacts for industry.