Regulatory framework towards fusion energy in Germany: preliminary results and open issues

Abstract The paper introduces preliminary results of the German project for regulation of future fusion facilities (ReFus) which was started in January 2025. It presents the existing German regulatory framework and how it was applied for the licensing of the stellarator Wendelstein 7-X. The analysis demonstrates that the German radiation protection law and its subsequent rules and regulations are already generally applicable to fusion. However, certain adaptations and clarifications are recommended to simplify the licensing process, especially with respect to a graded safety approach considering the broad scope of future facilities from demonstrators up to full size power plants.