Regulation of SLOWPOKE Research Reactor Facilities in Canada National Organization of Test, Research and Training Reactors, 2007 Conference Lincoln City, Oregon September 19, 2007 Lucie Désaulniers Project Officer Processing and Research Facilities Division, CNSC

OUTLINE CNSC’s background, history, mandate and structure CNSC’s risk based approach to regulation SLOWPOKE research reactors Compliance program Conclusions

BACKGROUND AND HISTORY Atomic Energy Control Board (AECB) created in 1946. Nuclear Safety and Control Act (NSCA), 2000 AECB Replaced by Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), 2000. Broader responsibilities for the CNSC

THE CNSC’s MANDATE “To regulate the development, production and use of nuclear energy, nuclear substances, prescribed equipment, and prescribed information in order to: Prevent unreasonable risk to the environment and to the health and safety of persons; Prevent unreasonable risk to national security; and Achieve conformity with measures of control and international obligations to which Canada has agreed.”

CNSC website: www.nuclearsafety.gc.ca THE CNSC STRUCTURE CNSC Commission CNSC Staff Independent Quasi-judicial Seven member tribunal Decision-makers Supports tribunal Make recommendations about licensing issues Administers tribunal decisions CNSC website: www.nuclearsafety.gc.ca

RISK BASED APPROACH CNSC objectives To be an effective regulator; To operate with a high level of transparency; and, To ensure that the CNSC is efficient in carrying out its mandate.

RISK BASED APPROACH Facilities assessed in specific risk areas; Impact of these risk areas on the facility; and, Ranking of the facilities.

RISK BASED APPROACH Five risk areas: Operating organization Facility design and condition Emergency preparedness On-site personnel protection; and Environmental protection Risk provide rationale for regulatory effort

THE SLOWPOKE REACTOR

SLOWPOKE Research Reactors in operation in Canada University of Alberta Edmonton, Alberta École Polytechnique, Montreal , Quebec SRC Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia Royal Military College, Kingston, Ontario

SLOWPOKE RESEARCH REACTOR DESIGNATION AS A CLASS I FACILITY Processing and Research Facilities Division (PRFD) Compliance and licensing: All research reactors Particle accelerators Uranium processing facilities Fuel fabrication facilities Other nuclear substance processing facilities Class I Facility Regulations

COMPLIANCE PROGRAM FOR SLOWPOKE FACILITIES Class I SLOWPOKE facility – low to medium risk One compliance inspections annually CNSC completes specific safety program area inspections Key safety areas include RP, QA, training, and emergency preparedness

RADIATION PROTECTION Regulatory effective dose limits Review dose records Verify training records for staff and users

QUALITY ASSURANCE All SLOWPOKE operating > 20 years Improvements to their current QA program

TRAINING Training programs using the SAT based approach Certified operators Certified nuclear technician and engineer

EMERGENCY PREPARDNESS Documented EP and response plan Plans developed in accordance with risk

OTHER RELEVANT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION Decommissioning Planning Preliminary Decommissioning Plan (PDP) Financial Guarantee (FG) Ensures funds available for decommissioning Two-phase approach Regulatory Guides

OTHER RELEVANT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION Longer licence period Based on specific factors More time spent on assessment and compliance Mid-term reports Shorter licence period where appropriate

CONCLUSION Challenges result from diversification in nuclear facilities Risk based regulatory plan – maximize efficiency Safety areas used to measure compliance Evaluation of programs and their implementation Assurance to the public that the facilities are operated safely

Questions? www.nuclearsafety.gc.ca