A pivotal international meeting to discuss the critical codes and standards that ensure the safety and reliability of nuclear facilities will be hosted by experts at the University of Sheffield AMRC.

The one-day, online event on November 18 is the next UK working group meeting for the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Section III, which focuses specifically on the codes for nuclear manufacturing.

The meeting brings together the ASME’s elected UK members to discuss the latest updates and changes, which were previously discussed at the society's US meeting two weeks earlier, coinciding with its annual Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Week 2025.

Charles Carpenter, head of research for the AMRC’s nuclear manufacturing group, said a top priority for the UK committee is to ensure these international standards evolve to meet the UK's specific needs.

He added: “It’s also an opportunity to recognise ambitious domestic programmes, such as Rolls-Royce SMR (Small Modular Reactor), as in the future, we’ll see a lot more need for the ASME code to be adopted. 

“The French RCC-M code is also widely used in the UK such as the European Pressurised Reactor at Hinkley Point C. As multiple new designs are being reviewed by the UK, it will be important for the UK to stay abreast of both and input UK priorities.”

The ASME selected the AMRC to host all of its UK committee meetings, usually held three times a year, as the body doesn’t have a legal entity in the UK. 

“The ASME is one of two top international standards bodies and has formally acknowledged the AMRC's expertise and knowledge,” said Charles. 

“For us it’s a real privilege and shows our expertise in the field of nuclear manufacturing as this committee isn’t one you can join, it’s one you have to be elected to and you have to demonstrate your expertise and knowledge in the sector.

“Being on the committee enables us to contribute and vote on the code itself, keeping us at the cutting-edge of the latest developments in UK nuclear standards.” 

Nuclear leaders at the AMRC were instrumental in forming the UK committee in 2015 after the government’s Nuclear Innovation Programme recommended a group be set up in the UK to enable the country to be more active in the codes and standards that were being set out for the sector.  

Hosting these meetings places the organisation at the forefront of change, helping to ensure that vital nuclear codes and standards remain secure, reliable, and fit for the future.

Find out more about the ASME here.