The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) is leading a major review of its key regulatory frameworks which evaluate the safety of nuclear facilities – and the whole sector can play its part in this milestone industry change.
The Safety Assessment Principles (SAPs) support inspectors in assessing nuclear safety cases submitted by dutyholders and requesting parties.
From today (Monday, 27 July), ONR is opening a public consultation on the SAPs revision and wants to hear from nuclear operators, industry bodies, the public and all those with an interest in nuclear safety. Your views will help ensure the updated SAPs are as clear and effective as possible.
The consultation will run for eight weeks, closing on 18 September with the final version of the SAPs expected to be published in December 2026.
This update seeks to strengthen the regulatory framework by aligning the SAPs with current legislation, international standards and the latest developments in technology and industry practice. This enables more consistent, timely and proportionate decision making.
By enhancing transparency and reinforcing a flexible, risk-informed approach, the updated SAPs support ONR's strategic aims of being a modern, agile and productive regulator, enabling innovation and growth across a rapidly evolving sector.
This consultation also marks important progress in ONR's response to the Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce, which called for a review of guidance with revised tolerability of risk.
Colin Tait, ONR’s Director of Capability and Standards, said:
"The revision of our Safety Assessment Principles is one of the most significant steps ONR has taken in recent years to deliver clearer, more proportionate regulation that genuinely supports the safe and efficient delivery of nuclear in the UK - ensuring our guidance is fit for a new era of nuclear ambition while keeping the protection of workers and the public firmly at its heart.
"We want to hear from everyone with a stake in this - operators, developers, industry bodies, the public and beyond - because the breadth and quality of responses to this consultation will directly shape the final principles we publish, and the stronger and more diverse the feedback we receive, the better the SAPs will be for the whole sector."
To respond please visit the consultation page where you will be able to view the SAPs document and submit your feedback by completing the online form.