Regulatory documents
Regulatory documents generally present both requirements and guidance in a single document and distinguish between them by the use of mandatory (e.g., shall, must) and non-mandatory (e.g., should, may) language.
The CNSC organizes its regulatory documents using a sustainable structure that reflects the CNSC's approach to regulating the nuclear industry. This structure presents all existing documents and document projects in a clear and logical manner, grouping them into the following categories:
- Regulated facilities and activities
- Safety and control areas
- Other regulatory areas
If you have difficulties accessing any of our regulatory documents, email: consultation@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca
Table of contents
- 1.0 Regulated facilities and activities
-
2.0 Safety and control areas
- 2.1 Management system
- 2.2 Human performance management
- 2.3 Operating performance
- 2.4 Safety analysis
- 2.5 Physical design
- 2.6 Fitness for service
- 2.7 Radiation protection
- 2.8 Conventional health and safety
- 2.9 Environmental protection
- 2.10 Emergency management and fire protection
- 2.11 Waste management
- 2.12 Security
- 2.13 Safeguards and non-proliferation
- 2.14 Packaging and transport
- 3.0 Other regulatory areas
1.0 Regulated facilities and activities
The documents in this category are organized according to the type of regulated facility or activity. They provide guidance to applicants about the information required for licence applications and to licensees about the requirements for conducting the licensed activity. They also point to relevant expectations in the appropriate safety and control areas.
This category includes:
- Class IA facilities (nuclear power plants and other reactor facilities)
- Class IB facilities (for example, nuclear fuel processing facilities and waste facilities)
- Class II facilities (for example, cancer therapy facilities and particle accelerators)
- uranium mines and mills
- certification of prescribed equipment
- nuclear substances and radiation devices
- certification of packages
1.1 Reactor facilities
Class I Facilities Regulations list the required information to be submitted for licence applications, set requirements for the certification of Class I personnel and record-keeping, and establish a 24-month timeline for the regulatory review of whether a site is suitable for the construction and operation of a nuclear facility. The Regulations apply to Class IA and Class IB nuclear facilities which include nuclear reactors, high-energy particle accelerators, as well as facilities that handle, process or store large quantities of nuclear substances.
| Title | Status |
|---|---|
| REGDOC-1.1.1, Site Evaluation and Site Preparation for New Reactor Facilities, Version 1.2 | Published July 2022 |
REGDOC-1.1.2, Licence Application Guide: Licence to Construct A Reactor Facility, Version 2
Supersedes
|
Published October 2022 |
| REGDOC-1.1.3, Licence Application Guide: Licence to operate a Nuclear Power Plant, Version 1.2 | Published July 2022 |
| REGDOC-1.1.4, Licence Application Guide: Licence to Decommission Reactor Facilities | In consultation |
| REGDOC-1.1.5, Supplemental Information for Small Modular Reactor Proponents | Published August 2019 |
1.2 Class IB nuclear facilities
Documents in this category apply to class IB nuclear facilities. Class IB nuclear facilities include high-power particle accelerators, facilities that process, reprocess or separate uranium, thorium or plutonium and facilities that manufacture a product from uranium, thorium or plutonium.
| Title | Status |
|---|---|
REGDOC-1.2.1, Guidance on Deep Geological Repository Site Characterization
Supersedes
|
Published January 2021 |
| REGDOC-1.2.2, Licence Application Guide: Class IB Processing Facilities | Published January 2024 |
| REGDOC-1.2.3, Licence Application Guide : Licence to prepare Site for a Deep Geological Repository | Published April 2024 |
1.3 Uranium mines and mills
Documents in this category apply to facilities involved in the mining, ore processing and milling of uranium.
Requirements are covered in the Uranium Mines and Mills Regulations.
| Title | Status |
|---|---|
|
REGDOC-1.3.1, Licence Application Guide: Uranium Mines and Mills
Will supersede
|
Not yet developed |
1.4 Class II nuclear facilities
Documents in this category apply to Class II nuclear facilities. These facilities are used in medicine, cancer therapy and research.
| Title | Status |
|---|---|
REGDOC-1.4.1, Licence Application Guide: Class II Nuclear Facilities and Prescribed Equipment
Associated documents |
Published April 2021 |
1.5 Certification of prescribed equipment
Documents in this category apply to prescribed equipment such as particle accelerators, industrial irradiators and cancer therapy machines.
| Title | Status |
|---|---|
REGDOC-1.5.1,
Application Guide: Certification of Radiation Devices or Class II Prescribed Equipment, Version 1.1
SupersedesAssociated DocumentApplication form for certification of radiation devices or Class II prescribed equipment | PDF |
Published September 2020 |
1.6 Nuclear substances and radiation devices
Documents in this category apply to the use of nuclear substances and devices listed in the Nuclear Substances and Radiation Devices Regulations. Nuclear substances must be licensed when the quantities involved are greater than the exemption thresholds. Radiation devices are devices that contain nuclear substances.
| Title | Status |
|---|---|
REGDOC-1.6.1, Licence Application Guide: Nuclear Substances and Radiation Devices, Version 2
Supersedes
Associated Document
|
Published May 2017 |
REGDOC-1.6.2, Radiation Protection Programs for Nuclear Substances and Radiation Devices Licences
Supersedes
|
Published August 2021 |
2.0 Safety and control areas
Safety and control areas are the technical topics used by the CNSC to assess, review, verify and report on regulatory requirements and performance across all regulated facilities and activities. The documents in this category provide requirements and guidance.
2.1 Management system
The framework that establishes the processes and programs required to ensure the organization achieves its safety objectives and continuously monitors its performance against these objectives and fostering a healthy safety culture.
| Title | Status |
|---|---|
| REGDOC-2.1.1, Management System | Published May 2019 |
| REGDOC-2.1.2, Safety Culture | |
The following CSA standards are relevant to management systems:
How to gain free access to all nuclear related CSA standards |
|
2.2 Human performance management
The activities that enable effective human performance through the development and implementation of processes to ensure that licensees have sufficient staff in all relevant job areas and they have the necessary knowledge, skills, tools and procedures in place to safely carry out their duties.
| Title | Status |
|---|---|
REGDOC-2.2.1, Human Performance, Version 2
Will supersede
|
Published January 2024 |
REGDOC-2.2.2, Personnel Training, Version 2
Supersedes
|
Published December 2016 |
| REGDOC-2.2.3, Personnel Certification: Radiation Safety Officers | Published July 2014 |
| REGDOC-2.2.3, Personnel Certification: Initial Certification Examinations | Development discontinued |
| REGDOC-2.2.3, Personnel Certification, Volume III: Certification of Reactor Facility Workers, Version 2 | Published October 2023 |
REGDOC-2.2.3, Personnel Certification, Volume I: Exposure Device Operators, Version 1.1
Supersedes
|
Published December 2022 |
| REGDOC-2.2.4, Fitness for Duty: Managing Worker Fatigue | Published March 2017 |
| REGDOC-2.2.4, Fitness for Duty, Volume II: Managing Alcohol and Drug Use, Version 3 | Published January 2021 |
|
REGDOC-2.2.4, Fitness for Duty, Volume III: Nuclear Security Officer Medical, Physical, and Psychological Fitness |
Published September 2018 |
|
REGDOC-2.2.5, Minimum Staff Complement |
Published April 2019 |
2.3 Operating performance
A safe and secure operation of the regulated facility with adequate regard for health, safety, security, environmental protection and international obligations. This includes an overall review of the conduct of the licensed activities and the activities that enable effective performance.
| Title | Status |
|---|---|
| REGDOC-2.3.1, Conduct of Licensed Activities: Construction and Commissioning Programs | Published January 2016 |
REGDOC-2.3.2, Accident Management, Version 2
Supersedes
|
Published September 2015 |
REGDOC-2.3.3, Periodic Safety Reviews
Supersedes |
Published April 2015 |
| REGDOC-2.3.4, Operations Programs for Reactor Facilities | In consultation |
The following CSA standard is relevant to operating performance:
How to gain free access to all nuclear related CSA standards |
|
2.4 Safety analysis
Safety analysis is a systematic evaluation of the potential hazards associated with the conduct of a proposed activity or facility and that considers the effectiveness of preventative measures and strategies in reducing the effects of such hazards.
| Title | Status |
|---|---|
REGDOC-2.4.1, Deterministic Safety Analysis
Supersedes
|
Published May 2014 |
REGDOC-2.4.2, Probabilistic Safety Assessment (PSA) for Reactor Facilities, Version 2
Supersedes
|
Published May 2022 |
| REGDOC-2.4.3, Nuclear Criticality Safety, Version 1.1 | Published September 2020 |
| REGDOC-2.4.4, Safety Analysis for Class IB Nuclear Facilities | Published October 2022 |
| REGDOC-2.4.5, Nuclear Fuel Safety | Published April 2024 |
The following CSA standards are relevant to safety analysis:
How to gain free access to all nuclear related CSA standards |
|
2.5 Physical design
Relates to the activities that impact on the ability of systems, components and structures to meet and maintain their design basis given new information arising over time and taking changes in the external environment into account.
| Title | Status |
|---|---|
| REGDOC-2.5.1, General Design Considerations: Human Factors | Published March 2019 |
|
REGDOC-2.5.2, Design of Reactor Facilities, Version 2.1 Supersedes
|
Published May 2023 |
REGDOC-2.5.4, Design of Uranium Mines and Mills: Ventilation Systems, Version 1.1
Supersedes
|
Published February 2022 |
| REGDOC-2.5.5, Design of Industrial Radiography Installations | Published March 2018 |
|
REGDOC-2.5.6, Design of Rooms Where Unsealed Nuclear Substances Are Used Supersedes
|
Published May 2023 |
REGDOC-2.5.7, Design, Testing and Performance of Exposure Devices, Version 1.1
Supersedes
|
Published September 2020 |
The following CSA standards are relevant to physical design:Pressure-retaining systems and components
Concrete containment structures
Seismic design and qualifications
Special safety systems
How to gain free access to all nuclear related CSA standards |
|
2.6 Fitness for service
The activities that impact on the physical condition of systems, components and structures to ensure that they remain effective over time. This includes programs that ensure all equipment is available to perform its intended design function when called upon to do so.
| Title | Status |
|---|---|
| REGDOC-2.6.1, Reliability Programs for Nuclear Power Plants | Published August 2017 |
REGDOC-2.6.2, Maintenance Programs for Nuclear Power Plants
Supersedes
|
Published August 2017 |
REGDOC-2.6.3, Aging Management
Supersedes |
Published March 2014 |
The following CSA standards are relevant to fitness for service:
How to gain free access to all nuclear related CSA standards |
|
2.7 Radiation protection
The implementation of a radiation protection program in accordance with the Radiation Protection Regulations. This program must ensure that contamination and radiation doses received are monitored and controlled.
| Title | Status |
|---|---|
REGDOC-2.7.1, Radiation Protection
Supersedes:
|
Published July 2021 |
REGDOC-2.7.2, Dosimetry, Volume I: Ascertaining Occupational Dose
Supersedes:
Associated document
|
Published July 2021 |
REGDOC-2.7.2,
Dosimetry, Volume II: Technical and Management System Requirements for Dosimetry Services
Supersedes:
|
Published August 2020 |
| REGDOC-2.7.3, Radiation Protection Guidelines for the Safe Handling of Decedents | Published June 2018 |
2.8 Conventional health and safety
The implementation of a program to manage workplace safety hazards and to protect personnel and equipment.
| Title | Status |
|---|---|
| REGDOC-2.8.1, Conventional Health and Safety | Published July 2019 |
The following CSA standards are relevant to conventional health and safety:
How to gain free access to all nuclear related CSA standards |
|
2.9 Environmental protection
Programs that identify, control and monitor all releases of radioactive and hazardous substances and effects on the environment from facilities or as the result of licensed activities.
| Title | Status |
|---|---|
REGDOC-2.9.1, Environmental Principles, Assessments and Protection Measures, Version 1.2
Supersedes
|
Published September 2020 |
REGDOC-2.9.2, Controlling Releases to the Environment
Associated Document
|
Published March 2024 |
The following CSA standards are relevant to environmental protection:Radiation doses to the public
How to gain free access to all nuclear related CSA standards |
|
2.10 Emergency management and fire protection
The emergency plans and emergency preparedness programs that exist for emergencies and for non-routine conditions. This also includes any results of exercise participation.
| Title | Status |
|---|---|
REGDOC-2.10.1, Nuclear Emergency Preparedness and Response, Version 2
Supersedes
|
Published February 2016 |
| REGDOC-2.10.2, Fire Protection | Currently under development |
The following CSA standards are relevant to emergency management and fire protection:
How to gain free access to all nuclear related CSA standards Applicable to emergency management and fire protection are the Federal Nuclear Emergency Plan and the following Health Canada guidelines: |
|
2.11 Waste management
The internal waste-related programs that form part of the facility's operations up to the point where the waste is removed from the facility to a separate waste management facility. Also covers the planning for decommissioning.
| Title | Status |
|---|---|
|
REGDOC-2.11, Framework for Radioactive Waste Management and Decommissioning in Canada, Version 2 Supersedes
|
Published March 2021 |
|
REGDOC-2.11.1, Waste Management, Volume I: Management of Radioactive Waste |
Published January 2021 |
|
REGDOC-2.11.1, Waste Management, Volume II: Management of Uranium Mine Waste Rock and Mill Tailings Supersedes
|
Published November 2018 |
|
REGDOC-2.11.1, Waste Management, Volume III: Safety Case for the Disposal of Radioactive Waste, Version 2 Supersedes
|
Published January 2021 |
|
REGDOC-2.11.2, Decommissioning SupersedesSupersedes
|
Published January 2021 |
The following CSA standards are relevant to waste management:
How to gain free access to all nuclear related CSA standards |
|
2.12 Security
The programs required to implement and support the security requirements stipulated in the regulations, in the licence, in orders or in expectations for the facility or activity.
Certain documents in this section contain prescribed information as defined by subsection 21(1) of the General Nuclear Safety and Control Regulations. Information in the document will be made available only to stakeholders with appropriate security clearance on a valid need to know.
| Title | Status |
|---|---|
|
REGDOC-2.12.1, High Security Facilities, Volume I: Nuclear Response Force, Version 2
Document contains prescribed information. Supersedes
|
Published in September 2018 |
|
REGDOC-2.12.1,
High-Security Facilities, Volume II: Criteria for Nuclear Security Systems and Devices
Document contains prescribed information. Supersedes
|
Published April 2018 |
| REGDOC-2.12.2, Site Access Security Clearance | Published April 2013 |
| REGDOC-2.12.3, Security of Nuclear Substances: Sealed Sources and Category I, II and III Nuclear Material, Version 2.1 | Published September 2020 |
The following CSA standards are relevant to security:
How to gain free access to all nuclear related CSA standards |
|
2.13 Safeguards and non-proliferation
The programs required for the successful implementation of the obligations arising from the Canada/International Atomic Energy Agency Safeguards Agreement as well as all other measures arising from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
| Title | Status |
|---|---|
| REGDOC-2.13.1, Safeguards and Nuclear Material Accountancy | Published February 2018 |
REGDOC-2.13.2, Import and Export, Version 2
Supersedes |
Published April 2018 |
2.14 Packaging and transport
Programs that manage the safe packaging and transport of nuclear substances and radiation devices to and from a licensed facility.
| Title | Status |
|---|---|
| REGDOC-2.14.1, Volume I, Information Incorporated by Reference in Canada’s Packaging and Transport of Nuclear Substances Regulations, 2015 , Version 2 | Published January 2021 |
REGDOC-2.14.1,
Packaging and Transport, Volume II: Radiation Protection Program Design for the Transport of Nuclear
Substances
Supersedes
|
Published November 2018 |
|
REGDOC-2.14.1, Volume III:
Joint Canada-United States Guide for Approval of Type B(U) and Fissile Material Transportation
Packages
Will supersede |
Not yet developed |
3.0 Other regulatory areas
Documents in this category include requirements, guidance and general information, and address the full scope of our regulatory activities.
3.1 Reporting requirements
Documents in this series set out the CNSC's requirements for event and compliance monitoring reporting by licensees.
| Title | Status |
|---|---|
REGDOC-3.1.1, Reporting Requirements for Nuclear Power Plants, Version 3
Supersedes
|
Published May 2024 |
REGDOC-3.1.2,
Reporting Requirements, Volume I: Non-Power Reactor Class I Facilities and Uranium Mines and Mills,
Version 1.1
Supersedes
|
Published July 2022 |
| REGDOC-3.1.3, Reporting Requirements for Waste Nuclear Substance Licensees, Class II Nuclear Facilities and Users of Prescribed Equipment, Nuclear Substances and Radiation Devices | Published March 2020 |
3.2 Public and Indigenous engagement
Documents in this series include requirements, guidance and general information on public information and disclosure programs that applicable licensees must develop and implement to inform their communities and interested stakeholders. This category also provides information on the CNSC's duty to consult with, and if required, accommodate, the interests of the Indigenous peoples when making regulatory decisions that may impact Indigenous rights.
| Title | Status |
|---|---|
| REGDOC-3.2.1, Public Information and Disclosure | Published May 2018 |
REGDOC-3.2.2, Indigenous Engagement, Version 1.2
Supersedes
|
Published February 2022 |
3.3 Financial guarantees
Documents in this series provide information on financial guarantees used to ensure a licensee will have sufficient funds to decommission a licensed location and dispose of any associated nuclear substances.
| Title | Status |
|---|---|
REGDOC-3.3.1,
Financial Guarantees for Decommissioning of Nuclear Facilities and Termination of Licensed
Activities
Supersedes
|
Published January 2021 |
3.4 Commission proceedings
Documents in this series provide information on the Commission, which makes independent, fair and transparent decisions on the licensing of nuclear-related activities, establishes legally-binding regulations and sets regulatory policy direction on matters relating to health, safety, security and environmental issues affecting the Canadian nuclear sector.
| Title | Status |
|---|---|
REGDOC-3.4.1, Guide for Applicants and Intervenors Writing CNSC Commission Member Documents,
Version 1.1
Supersedes |
Published February 2022 |
3.5 CNSC processes and practices
Documents in this series provide information on how the CNSC provides stakeholders and interested members of the public with timely and objective science-based information about CNSC processes and nuclear technologies.
This category includes CNSC regular reports on industry performance as well as information on specific technical areas.
| Title | Status |
|---|---|
| REGDOC-3.5.1, Information Dissemination: Licensing Process for Class I Nuclear Facilities and Uranium Mines and Mills, Version 2.1 | Published February 2022 |
REGDOC-3.5.2, Compliance and Enforcement: Administrative Monetary Penalties, Version 2
Associated Documents
|
Published August 2015 |
REGDOC-3.5.2,
Compliance and Enforcement, Volume II: Orders under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act
Supersedes
|
Published December 2019 |
REGDOC-3.5.3, Regulatory Fundamentals, Version 3
Supersedes
|
Published March 2023 |
REGDOC-3.5.4, Pre-licensing Review of a Vendor’s Reactor Design
Supersedes
|
Published November 2018 |
3.6 Glossary of CNSC terminology
| Title | Status |
|---|---|
| REGDOC-3.6, Glossary of CNSC Terminology | Updated July 2024 |
For more information
- Government-wide forward regulatory plans
- The Cabinet Directive on Regulatory Management
- The Red Tape Reduction Action Plan
- The Canada-United States Regulatory Cooperation Council
To learn about upcoming or ongoing consultations on proposed federal regulations, visit the Canada Gazette and the Government of Canada’s Open Government website under the "Find a Consultation" option.
Provide comments and suggestions
- CNSC welcomes feedback on any regulatory document at any time
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