Abstract <p>The history of preparing documentation and obtaining the construction license for the ITER fusion reactor in France is reviewed, and the evolution of the amount of tritium permitted in the ITER chamber is shown. The technical and organizational measures applied in the project that provide barriers to the spread of radioactive materials and their influence on the design of reactor systems are examined. Problems with demonstrating the design parameters claimed in the Safety Analysis Report are discussed, in particular the dose levels after reactor shutdown and methods to resolve them. One possible solution that could ease the development and construction of fusion reactors is the creation of regulatory requirements specifically for fusion installations.</p>