HAF604 Certification

What is HAF604 Certification?

Civil Nuclear Safety Equipment to be used in nuclear power plants in China must be certified before it can be manufactured, imported and installed. HAF 604 certification is required for the design, manufacture and installation of many safety-related components. The regulations for HAF 604 certification were established in 2008 with the aim of being able to better monitor and control imports of safety components to China from abroad.

In addition to HAF 604 there are also the following regulations:

• HAF 601  - Certification for Domestic Suppliers of Nuclear Safety Equipment
• HAF 602 - Certification for NDE Personnel to inspect Nuclear Safety Equipment
• HAF 603 - Certification for Welder or welding operator to work on Nuclear Safety Equipment

However, these certifications mainly concern domestic manufacturers of nuclear products or personnel and are not superficially relevant for importers.

The “China National Nuclear Safety Administration” (NNSA) is responsible for the registration of nuclear safety components for nuclear facilities manufactured outside of China, to which HAF 604 approval is applied for, following the – HAF604 Supervision and Management Regulations for Imported Civilian Nuclear Safety Equipment.

Which scenarios does HAF604 certification applicable to?

HAF604 Certification apply to the suppliers who responsible for Design, Manufacturing or installation of:

• Safety related Electrical components. For example: Cables, Sensors, Transformers, I&C system cabinet, Electrical power unit, Electric motor, etc.
• Safety related Mechanical equipment. For example: Compressors, Safety valves, Pressure vessel, Pump, Storage tanks, etc.
• Special nuclear safety equipment for reprocessing plants of nuclear fuel cycle facilities. For example: Reactors, Extraction equipment, storage containers/vats, spent fuel dissolver, settlement centrifuges, evaporators, critical accident alarm devices, etc. 

What is the process of HAF604 Certification?

A simplified flowchart:

The certification process for HAF604 is labor intensive and demanding. Supporting documents must be diligently prepared and under certain circumstances, product tests have to be carried out and supervised. In most cases, the process takes 9 - 12 months or even longer.

The HAF 604 certification is valid for 5 years. After 5 years, a similarly complex renewal process must be completed. After the initial HAF 604 certification it is crucial that evidence of the successful completion of projects in China in the previous period can be provided.

What can we provide for HAF604 Certification？

The branch offices of TÜV SÜD in China has an independent nuclear energy business department, which can play an important role in the negotiations and collaborations between foreign enterprises and Chinese nuclear power owners, EPC companies and regulatory authorities. TÜV SÜD China has close collaborations with NNSA and its technical support institutions, which can optimize and accelerate your entire certification process and speed. TÜV SÜD China provides consulting services for HAF604 certification, including:

• Verification of the applicability of the certification according to HAF604
• Primary review of application materials 
• Assistance with the translation of application materials
• Submission and Application for HAF 604 certification 
• Professional consulting for the successful completion of HAF 604 certification 
• Assistance with the definition of test samples, if required, and in communicating with China local testing institutes
• Comprehensive support and consultation until obtaining the HAF 604 certificate 
• Modification, extension or renewal of the obtained certificate

China’s Mainland Nuclear power profiles

China adheres to the strategic policy of "conservation, cleanliness and security" in energy development, insists on developing non-fossil energy and efficient and clean fossil energy, gradually reduces the proportion of coal consumption, increases the proportion of natural gas consumption, and significantly increases the consumption proportion of renewable energy sources such as wind power, solar energy, geothermal energy and nuclear power. 

China's actively and prudently nuclear energy development policy brings a huge nuclear energy supply chain market (including spent fuel and nuclear waste reprocessing market). International suppliers who are interested in participating in and expanding their nuclear energy business in China are welcome to consult TÜV SÜD.

As of 30 June2023, China Mainland operational nuclear power units quantity:
55 units
Installed capacity (rated installed capacity):
57GWe
Nuclear share of total electricity produced in first half of 2023:
5.08%
Above Datas,and figure from NNSA website: https://nnsa.mee.gov.cn/ywdt/hyzx/202308/t20230801_1037883.html

However, the proportion of nuclear power generating capacity is only: 
2.2%
Data from China's Nuclear Energy Development and Prospects Report(2023) 

Additional reactors could be planned, including some of the world's most advanced. Plan to increase the nuclear capacity to approx.
70 GWe by 2025
Data from “14th Five-Year Plan for the Modern Energy System”
150GWe by 2030
Data source:<核能技术方向研究及发展路线图> 

By 2050, per capita consumption would be 8500 kWh, and installed nuclear capacity:
240 GWe 
Estimation
Nuclear/total electricity will be:
15%