WANO made the announcement on 1 February 2010 at its biennial general meeting in New Delhi, India.

The meeting also included a vote by WANO members to restructure the organisation.

WANO managing director George Felgate told NucNet that “for every nuclear unit in the world to have voluntarily signed up to a peer review, looking at what areas might be improved and pursuing standards of excellence, is a significant achievement”.

He said one of WANO’s major tasks will be to manage the large number of pre-startup reviews for new nuclear plants being constructed around the world.

“WANO has to be ready to conduct these pre-startup peer reviews, which are done just before the unit comes online to be sure that the focus on nuclear safety is strong for those plants starting operation.”

During the general meeting members voted to restructure the organisation, providing member chief executives with greater involvement in WANO activities.

Chairman Laurent Stricker said: “These important changes mean WANO can better support the unprecedented international growth in our industry In this way we will maintain our overriding focus on and commitment to nuclear safety.”