News Releases

Release of the Final Report in the CNSC’s Integrated Regulatory Review Service Peer Review

09-25

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 20, 2009

The CNSC is pleased to announce that today, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) released the final report for the June 2009 Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) Peer Review of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC).

The review team has determined that, overall, Canada has a mature and well-established nuclear regulatory framework and that the nuclear regulator does an effective job in protecting the health, safety and security of Canadians and the environment.

“An IRRS mission is a unique opportunity for international benchmarking through an assessment by experienced regulators from many different countries. The mission had very positive conclusions with respect to the Canadian nuclear regulatory framework and our regulatory activities,” said Dr. Michael Binder, CNSC President.“The knowledge shared by the CNSC and the IRRS team will lead to regulatory improvements in Canada and internationally, and assist us in our vision to be the best nuclear regulator in the world.”

The final report outlines 19 best practices, and 32 recommendations and suggestions for improvement. The CNSC has reviewed the report in detail and prepared a response that outlines the actions that will be taken to address each recommendation and suggestion.

Highlights of the report include:

• The Canadian legislative and regulatory framework is comprehensive, with an appropriate range of instruments allowing for an effective application of the legal regime.
  
  
• The consistent Harmonized Plan that considers the results of all recent audits and assessments brings together all improvement initiatives under one plan and prioritizes them to optimize the use of resources to deliver further improvements in key areas.
  
  
• The CNSC has done extensive and commendable work over the last years to develop the Management System in order to make the organization more process-based.
  
  
• The CNSC provides for a comprehensive and robust authorization/licensing system for all facilities and activities.
  
  
• The CNSC’s on-line sealed source tracking system provides an excellent model for other Member States.
  
  
• The CNSC should initiate a periodic strategic planning program to define both short-term and long-term research activities with a view to supporting regulatory decisions.
  
  
• Sufficient resources for research activities should be allocated to support the outcome of the strategic planning program.
  
  
• The CNSC should ensure that non-safety significant changes to licences for nuclear installations and uranium mines and mills do not generate disproportionate regulatory work.
  
  
• The CNSC should consider updating the 1998 Memorandum of Understanding with Health Canada in order to define the roles and responsibilities of the Federal Provincial Territorial Radiation Protection Committee and to ensure comprehensive and consistent safety regulation and oversight.

English versions of the IRRS report and CNSC’s Management Response are available on the CNSC’s Web site. The French report and response will be posted at a later date.

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For additional information:
Aurele Gervais
CNSC Media Relations
613-996-6860