1. 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

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

3. 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

4. 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.”

5. 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:

6. 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.

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

8. 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

9. THE SLOWPOKE REACTOR

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

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

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

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

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

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

18. 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

19. 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

20. Questions?