IAEA Integrated Regulatory Review Service Mission to Canada

The Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) is one of the services offered to member states by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).  The purpose of an IRRS mission is to compare the regulatory practices of a country with international standards and equivalent good practices elsewhere in the world.

A History of the IRRS at CNSC

In November 2005, CNSC initiated an Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) of CNSC’s regulatory regime and processes by an international team of experts selected by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The review takes place in three phases.

Phase 1, the self-assessment phase, was originally conducted in 2006 with a focus on the regulation of power reactors. A complementary self-assessment that extended to the Directorate of Nuclear Substance Regulation (DNSR) and the Directorate of Nuclear Cycle and Facilities Regulation (DNCFR) was completed in 2008.

Phase 2, the initial peer review, was completed in June 2009. The resulting Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) Report to the Government of Canada provides the record of the peer review, and includes an addendum that describes the initial response of CNSC management to each of finding of the review team.

Read the IRRS 2009 Peer Review Report and CNSC’s Management Response (PDF).

During Phase 3 (November 28, 2011 to December 9, 2011), members of the peer review team undertook:

• a follow-up visit to evaluate the CNSC’s implementation of the action plan from the June 2009 IRRS Peer Review
• an assessment of the CNSC’s response to the spring 2011 events at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station
• an assessment of the CNSC’s regulatory practices related to packaging and transport of nuclear substances.

Read the 2011 IRRS Follow-up Mission Report (PDF) and CNSC Management Response (PDF).

About the IAEA

The IAEA is the world’s center of cooperation in the nuclear field. It was set up as the world’s "Atoms for Peace" organization in 1957 within the United Nations family. The Agency works with its member states and multiple partners worldwide to promote safe, secure and peaceful nuclear technologies. As of February 2009, the IAEA has 146 member states.

About the IRRS Peer Review

The IRRS Peer Review was first piloted by the IAEA in Romania in 2006.  Since then, Peer Reviews have been conducted in numerous countries. 

IRRS mission peer review teams are comprised of senior regulators recruited by the IAEA from other member countries. Review team members act on behalf of the IAEA, not on behalf of their own countries while on the mission.  The review team is accompanied by IAEA staff who coordinates their activities and provides administrative support.  IAEA staff also participates in the review activities.