Regulation of SLOWPOKE Research Reactor Facilities in Canada

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. THE CNSC STRUCTURE CNSC CNSC Staff Commission • Independent • Quasi-judicial • Seven member tribunal • Decision-makers • Supports tribunal • Make recommendations • about licensing issues • Administers tribunal • decisions CNSC website: www.nuclearsafety.gc.ca

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? www.nuclearsafety.gc.ca