Activities of the National Nuclear Regulator
In accordance with the provisions of the NNR Act, the NNR is mandated to exercise regulatory control over nuclear installations, nuclear vessels and other actions capable of causing nuclear damage. The purpose of the regulatory process is to ensure the protection of persons, property and the environment from nuclear damage. The regulatory process entails authorisation, safety case review and assessment, and the undertaking of compliance assurance and enforcement activities as appropriate

Nuclear Authorisation Process
Prior to the granting of an authorisation the applicant is required to apply to the NNR, in the prescribed format, detailing the intended activities, and demonstrating the capability to comply with the NNR requirements. The authorisation conditions represent the framework within which the applicant or holder of the nuclear authorisation is obliged to operate to particular requirements in respect of design, operation, and decommissioning of the facilities. The conditions of authorisation also oblige the holder of the authorisation to demonstrate compliance through the submission of routine and non-routine reports.

• Description and configuration of the authorised facility or action;
• Medical surveillance and Health Register;
• Safety documentation;
• Operational requirements in the form of procedures or programmes as appropriate;
• Maintenance and Inspection requirements;
• Operational radiation protection programmes;
• Radioactive waste management programmes;
• Emergency planning and preparedness requirements as appropriate;
• Nuclear Security/Physical Security;
• Transport of radioactive material;
• Quality assurance; and
• Reporting.

• Nuclear installation Licences;
• Nuclear Vessel Licences;
• Certificates of Registration; and
• Certificates of Exemption.

These enable the NNR to issue authorisations that are commensurate with the hazards posed by the relevant facility or action.

Safety Case Review and Assessment
The safety case is a collection of arguments and evidence in support of the safety of a facility or action. This normally includes the findings of a safety assessment and a statement of confidence in these findings. The safety case provided must identify and characterise all sources of radiation associated with the facility and all possible pathways of exposure of persons that may arise from such sources, under normal operating conditions and under accident situations. The safety case must also take into account exposures that are likely to take place both now and in the future. The NNR undertakes an evaluation of the submitted documentation to ensure that the action or facility will meet the standards and requirements. From the evaluation, the NNR identifies conditions for inclusion in the nuclear authorisation.

Compliance Assurance
The NNR conducts compliance assurance activities to determine the extent to which holders of nuclear authorisations comply with the conditions of authorisation. The nature of the NNR’s compliance assurance activities are commensurate with the nature of authorisation issued and the risk posed by the facility or action. The compliance assurance activities involve a combination of audits, routine inspections, non-routine inspections, reviews of routine reports and reviews of occurrence reports.

• Remedy the non-compliance;
• Perform a thorough investigation in accordance with an agreed timescale; and
• Take all necessary measures to prevent recurrence.

In certain instances, the NNR performs its own investigation.