Personal reflections on implementing a new regulatory regime

Personal reflections on implementing a new regulatory regime

Canadian NuclearSafety Commission

Commission canadiennede sûreté nucléaire

www.nuclearsafety.gc.cawww.nuclearsafety.gc.ca

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Canadian Nuclear ActivitiesCanadian Nuclear Activities

HQ in Ottawa5 Site Offices at Power

Reactors1 Site Office at Chalk River4 Regional Offices

Saskatoon Uranium Mines and

Mills Regional Office

DarlingtonPickering

HQ

Laval Eastern Regional Office

CalgaryWestern Regional

Office

Bruce A & B

Chalk River

Gentilly 2

Point Lepreau

Mississauga Southern Regional Office

CNSCCNSC

Nuclear Safety and Control Act (parliament approval

1997,in force 2000)

replaced

Atomic Energy Control Act(1946)

AECB became CNSC- 3

CNSC Regulatory scopeCNSC Regulatory scope

• Nuclear power plants• Nuclear substance processing facilities• Industrial, research and medical facilities• Waste management facilities• Uranium mines, mills and processing• Dosimetry Services• Import/export• Transport packaging• Not X-rays or non-ionizing radiation

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Change Change

• “Old Act” 1946– focussed on

security and safeguards

– no reference to environment

– licensee responsibilities

– no public process– guidance

documents

• New Act – safety, security,

safeguards, env protection)

– assigns responsibility for safety to licensees

– licensee rights and responsibilities

– establishes public processes

– regulations– cost recovery

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CNSC MissionCNSC Mission

To regulate the use of nuclear energy and materials:- to protect the health, safety, security and the environment, and - to respect Canada’s international commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy (safeguards).

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Regulatory responsibilitiesRegulatory responsibilities

• Licensees are responsible for the protection of health, safety, security, and the environment and respecting Canada’s international commitments.

• The CNSC is responsible for regulating licensees, assessing whether licensees are compliant with the NSCA, regulations, and international obligations 7

Approach to establish regulationsApproach to establish regulations

• Draft documents prepared internally then circulated for stakeholder comment

• Public meetings and sector specific meetings

• Stakeholders:– Public– Licensees– Other government departments and agencies– Politicians

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Challenges - externalChallenges - external

• Political issues• Challenges to mandate e.g. u mining• Licensees concerned about increased

oversight• NGO and public desire for more openness

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Challenges -internalChallenges -internal

• Act already finalised when regulations being drafted

• Coordinating all regulations simultaneously• New Act already approved by Parliament so

no changes• Understanding government processes for

new regulations• Cultural differences (reactors, radioisotopes) • Prescription vs performance• Staff capacity

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Lessons learnedLessons learned

• Ensure Act is broad enough to give required authority

• Consult everyone but have a firm process• Engage staff: keep them informed - train• Be prepared to compromise• Prepare regulations that are appropriate

for the regulated risk (graded approach)• Remember process will take much longer

than you expected• Learn your country’s regulatory process

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Canadian Regulations (I)Canadian Regulations (I)

• General • Radiation protection• Transport packaging• Security• Import/export• Cost recovery• Administrative monetary penalties

Apply to everyone covered by the Nuclear Safety Act12

Canadian Regulations (II)Canadian Regulations (II)

“Activity Specific”

•Class I Nuclear Facilitiese.g. nuclear power plants

•Class II Nuclear Facilitiese.g. linear accelerators

•Nuclear substancese.g. nuclear medicine, industrial radiography

•Uranium mines and mills13

Canadian Regulations (III)Canadian Regulations (III)

•Commission Rules of Procedures•Commission By-laws

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CNSC Regulatory frameworkCNSC Regulatory framework

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Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission& Nuclear Regulation in CanadaCanadian Nuclear Safety Commission& Nuclear Regulation in Canada

More information at website:http://www.nuclearsafety.gc.ca