Our regulators

In the UK nuclear industry, the tightest of regulatory controls are rightly applied. RSRL works hard to comply with the regulators’ requirements and has been operating nuclear facilities within this environment for many years. Our activities are regulated by the following bodies:

Nuclear Installations Inspectorate of the Health and Safety Executive (NII)

Operations on the licensed sites are carried out in accordance with the nuclear site licence, granted by the NII under the Nuclear Installations Act. NII regulates site activities, including decommissioning, by inspecting compliance against the conditions of the licence.

The safety of our nuclear facilities is justified in safety cases which have been fully renewed and assessed. In some cases the safety documentation is also assessed by the NII.

Environment Agency (EA)

EA regulate discharges to the environment from RSRL sites. Discharges are strictly limited by authorisations granted under the Radioactive Substances Act, consents issued under the Control of Pollution Act, and permits issued under the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control legislation.

The limits are set following public consultation, and nuclear operators are required to use best practicable means to reduce the radioactivity in the discharges.

Office for Civil Nuclear Security (OCNS)

OCNS is the security regulator for the UK’s civil nuclear industry. It is responsible for approving security and transport plans, and enforcing compliance through regular inspections and security exercises.

OCNS determines and keeps under review Police numbers and activities at licensed nuclear sites policed by the Civil Nuclear Constabulary.  Harwell is policed by the CNC whereas Winfrith employs a civilian guardforce.

Euratom Safeguards

Euratom Safeguards are regulated from within the European Commission’s Directorate General for Energy (DG Ener).  The task of Euratom Safeguards is to ensure that within the European Union nuclear material is not diverted from its intended use and that it is correctly controlled and accounted for at all times.  It also ensures that safeguarding obligations assumed by the Community under an agreement with a third state or an international organisation are complied with.

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