Regulatory framework plans
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) maintains a regulatory framework supported by 3 published plans. Together, these outline planned regulatory changes and long-term reviews, providing interested parties opportunities for input.
To ensure that the regulatory framework remains flexible, effective and relevant, the CNSC reviews and updates its regulatory instruments on a regular basis. There are 3 types of plans that guide the review of CNSC’s regulatory framework:
- The Forward Regulatory Plan (FRP) is a public list, required by the Cabinet Directive on Regulation, of planned or anticipated regulatory changes (regulatory initiatives) that the CNSC intends to propose or finalize within a 2-year period.
- The Regulatory Stock Review Plan (RSRP) is a public list, also required by the Cabinet Directive on Regulation, of planned reviews of regulations made under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act (NSCA) that the CNSC expects to carry out over a 10-year period.
- The Regulatory Framework Plan (RFP) captures regulations and regulatory documents that the CNSC plans to develop or amend, including those outlined in the RFP and RSRP. It aligns with CNSC's corporate priorities and, also considers current developments in the nuclear environment.
Updated yearly, these plans are intended to give individual Canadians, Indigenous Nations and communities, businesses and trading partners greater opportunity to provide input on the regulatory reviews and plan for the future. For 2025–26, the CNSC has created one single unified plan, the Regulatory Framework Plan, to make it easier for interested parties to review upcoming regulatory work.
CNSC 2026–27 Regulatory Framework Plan
The table lists all current initiatives as of April 1, 2026, under a single plan, which includes the FRP and the RSRP, outlining planned regulatory changes and multi-year review activities. There are 14 initiatives approved and underway, and 15 future planned reviews (i.e., future potential projects that have not yet been initiated or internally approved).
| Initiative | Type | Stage | Year | Plan | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| REGDOC-1.1.4, Licence Application Guide: Licence to Decommission Reactor Facilities | Regulatory document | Publication | 2025/26 | Provide updated guidance on applying for licences to decommission reactor facilities | |
| REGDOC-2.13 suite – Import, export and safeguards regulatory documents | Regulatory document | Consultation | 2025/26 | Update the regulatory documents to support completed changes to the regulations relating to import, export and safeguards | |
| REGDOC-3.2.2, Indigenous Engagement | Regulatory document | Consultation | 2025/26 | Update the approach to Indigenous consultation and engagement to reflect best practices and feedback | |
| Safety and control area (SCA) – Physical design, part 1 (REGDOC‑1.1.3, with consequential revisions to REGDOC-1.1.2) | Regulatory document | Review | 2025/26 | RSRP | Review physical design requirements and guidance to ensure consistency across documents |
| REGDOC-2.12 suite – Regulatory documents relating to the Nuclear Security Regulations | Regulatory document | Consultation | 2026/27 | Revise regulatory documents related to nuclear security requirements | |
| REGDOC-2.7.2, Dosimetry, Volume I and Volume 2 | Regulatory document | Review | 2026/27 | ||
| REGDOC-2.9 Suite - SCA Review of Environmental Requirements | Regulatory document | Review | 2026/27 | ||
| REGDOC-2.10.1, Nuclear Emergency Preparedness and Response | Regulatory document | Publication | 2026/27 | Revise guidance on emergency preparedness and response at nuclear facilities | |
| REGDOC-1.3.1, Licence Application Guide: Uranium Mines and Mills | Regulatory document | Publication | 2026/27 | Provide licensing guidance for uranium mines and mills | |
| Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Cost Recovery Fees Regulations | Regulation | Review | 2026/27 | RSRP | Set regulatory fees and methods for calculating licence costs; the review will reflect updates to the cost recovery structure |
| Uranium Mines and Mills Regulations, including associated regulatory documents | Regulation | Review | 2026/27 |
FRP RSRP |
Review and update uranium mine and mill regulations to reflect modern practices |
| Nuclear Security Regulations: Designation of peace officers, including associated REGDOCs | Regulation | Consultation | 2027/28 | FRP | Amend regulations to reflect new requirements from Bill C-21, including peace officer designations and complaint handling processes |
| Class II Nuclear Facilities and Prescribed Equipment Regulations, including associated regulatory documents | Regulation | Consultation | 2028/29 |
FRP RSRP |
Modernize requirements, reduce duplication and incorporate operational experience to support safety and flexibility |
| Regulations Amending the Nuclear Substances and Radiation Devices Regulations and the Packaging and Transport of Nuclear Substances Regulations, 2015, including associated regulatory documents | Regulation | Consultation | 2028/29 |
FRP RSRP |
Clarify definitions, reduce administrative burden and align with international guidance on nuclear substances and transport |
| SCA – Human Performance (REGDOC-2.2 Suite) | Regulatory document | Planned review | 2028/29 | RSRP | Review human performance management guidance to support safe and reliable operation of nuclear facilities |
| SCA – Waste management (REGDOC-2.11 suite) | Regulatory document | Planned review | 2028/29 | RSRP | Review and update guidance for radioactive waste management and decommissioning strategies |
| Radiation Protection Regulations and SCA of Radiation (REGDOC-2.7 suite) | Regulation and regulatory document | Planned review | 2029/30 | RSRP | Implement amendments to strengthen worker protection and align with current scientific findings and international standards, and then update radiation protection guidance to reflect amendments to the Radiation Protection Regulations |
| Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Rules of Procedure | Regulation | Planned review | 2029/30 | RSRP | Review procedural rules to ensure clarity, transparency and alignment with modern administrative practices |
| Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission By-laws | Regulation | Planned review | 2029/30 | RSRP | Review and update CNSC by-laws for consistency with legislative requirements and good governance |
| SCA – Operating performance (REGDOC-2.3 suite) | Regulatory document | Planned review | 2030/31 | RSRP | Review performance expectations to enhance regulatory clarity for the operation of nuclear facilities |
| SCA – Fitness for service (REGDOC-2.6 suite) | Regulatory document | Planned review | 2030/31 | RSRP | Update requirements related to equipment reliability, aging management and service life of key systems |
| SCA-Reporting (REGDOC-3.1 suite) | Regulatory document | Planned review | 2031/32 | RSRP | Clarify reporting requirements and align them with operational needs and regulatory expectations |
| SCA – Conventional health and safety (REGDOC-2.8 suite) | Regulatory document | Planned review | 2032/33 | RSRP | Enhance guidance on conventional health and safety programs within nuclear facilities |
| General Nuclear Safety and Control Regulations | Regulation | Planned review | 2032/33 | RSRP | Amend regulations to improve safeguards coverage and remove outdated requirements |
| Class I Nuclear Facilities Regulations | Regulation | Planned review | 2032/33 | RSRP | Modernize requirements for the licensing and operation of Class I nuclear facilities |
| SCA – Financial guarantees (REGDOC-3.3 suite) | Regulatory document | Planned review | 2034/35 | RSRP | Review requirements to ensure licensees have funding for decommissioning and long-term obligations |
| Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations | Regulation | Planned review | 2034/35 | RSRP | Update violations subject to penalties under the NSCA to reflect regulatory and enforcement changes |
| SCA – Emergency management and fire protection (REGDOC-2.10 suite) | Regulatory document | Planned review | 2035/36 | RSRP | Update requirements for emergency preparedness and fire protection at licensed facilities |
| SCA – Safety analysis (REGDOC-2.4 suite) | Regulatory document | Planned review | 2035/36 | RSRP | Update safety analysis requirements and methods to support regulatory compliance |
Completed or removed initiatives
This section lists initiatives from the FRP, RFP and RSRP that were completed, removed, postponed or merged into other work to keep the framework clear, efficient and up to date.
| Initiative | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fusion – Impacts on the Regulatory Framework | Regulatory document | Complete |
| REGDOC-2.5.2, Design of Reactor Facilities | Regulatory document | Moved to SCA for Physical Design (SMR readiness projects) |
| Quantitative Health Objective (QHO) | Regulatory document | Removed |
| SMR readiness: Defence in depth | Regulatory document | Postponed |
| REGDOC- 1.2.3, Licence Application Guide: Deep Geological Repository | Regulatory document | Complete |
| REGDOC-2.4.5, Nuclear Fuel Safety and Qualification | Regulatory document | Complete |
| REGDOC-2.9.2, Controlling Releases to the Environment | Regulatory document | Complete |
| REGDOC-3.1.1, Reporting Requirements for Nuclear Power Plant | Regulatory document | Complete |
| REGDOC-2.7.3, Radiation Protection Guidelines for Safe Handling of Decedents | Regulatory document | Removed from external plan, to be rescinded |
| REGDOC-2.14.1, Packaging and Transport, Volume III: Joint Canada-United States Guide for Approval of Type B(U) and Fissile Material Transportation Packages | Regulatory document | Postponed |
| REGDOC-3.5.1, Licensing Processes | Regulatory document | Moved to stock review of Commission proceedings |
| REGDOC-1.1.5, Supplemental Information for Small Modular Reactor Proponents | Regulatory document | Moved to SCA for physical design (SMR readiness) |
| REGDOC-2.2.5, Minimum Staff Complement | Regulatory document | Moved to SCA for human performance |
| REGDOC-2.4.3, Nuclear Criticality Safety | Regulatory document | Moved to SCA for 2.4 series (Safety analysis REGDOC-2.4 suite) |
| REGDOC-2.5.7, Design of Exposure Devices | Regulatory document | Part of Class II regulations work |
| REGDOC-2.6.2, Maintenance Programs for Nuclear Power Plants | Regulatory document | Moved to SCA for fitness for service |
| REGDOC-2.7.1, Radiation Protection | Regulatory document | Moved to work with Radiation Protection Regulations. |
| REGDOC-2.9.1, Environmental Protection: Environmental Principles, Assessments and Protection Measures | Regulatory document | Postponed |
| REGDOC-2.11, Framework for Radioactive Waste Management and Decommissioning in Canada | Regulatory document | Moved to SCA for waste management (2026–27) |
| REGDOC-1.2.1, Guidance on Deep Geological Repository Site Characterization | Regulatory document | Moved to SCA for waste management (2026–27) |
| REGDOC-1.6.2, Radiation Protection Programs for Nuclear Substances and Radiation Devices Licensees | Regulatory document | Moved to be part of nuclear substances review |
| REGDOC-2.2.4, Fitness for duty, Volume II: Managing Drug and Alcohol Use | Regulatory document | Moved to SCA human performance 2029 |
| REGDOC-2.7.2, Dosimetry, Volume I: Ascertaining Occupational Dose | Regulatory document | Moved to Radiation protection regulations |
| REGDOC-2.11.1, Waste Management, Volume III: Safety Case for Long-Term Radioactive Waste Management | Regulatory document | Moved to SCA for waste management (2026–27) |
| REGDOC-2.11.2, Decommissioning | Regulatory document | Moved to SCA for waste management (2026–27) |
| REGDOC-3.3.1, Financial Guarantees | Regulatory document | Moved to SCA for financial guarantees |
| SCA - Security - related to the NSR project | Regulations | Merged with NSR work |
| Uranium Mines and Mills Regulations (includes REGDOC-1.3.1, REGDOC- 2.5.4, etc.) | Regulation | Covered by other items on the new RFP |
| Class II Nuclear Facilities and Prescribed Equipment Regulations (Includes REGDOC-1.4.1, 1.5.1) | Regulation | Covered by other items on the new RFP |
| REGDOC-2.3.4, Operations Programs for Reactor Facilities | Regulatory document | Complete |
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