Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection:
October 2024
Aim of inspection
These MBAs have been targeted for the following reasons:
- The Effluents facilities constitute a significant proportion of the waste management streams at Sellafield which are not subject to monthly statutory reporting, as they are within the retained waste area. As such this inspection will enable a regulatory view to be evidenced in this area in relation to safeguards.
- Regulatory intelligence gained from ONR interactions across the Sellafield site have identified findings related to resilience and resourcing in relation to safeguards personnel and systems which we will be seeking evidence on in these MBA’s during the inspection.
This inspection aims to sample that relevant systems, structures and components (SSCs) of the selected Material Balance Areas (MBA) system of Nuclear Material Accountancy and Control (NMAC) are fit for purpose and are implemented in a proportionate and appropriate manner, as required by NSR19 Regulation 6. In particular, the inspection aims to obtain assurance that:
- The systems in place for NMACS are proportionate to and appropriate for the Basic Technical Characteristics (BTC) of the qualifying nuclear facility.
- The sampled systems, structures, and components (SSCs) at the selected MBAs are fit for purpose and meet their functional requirements.
- The sampled SSC is implemented, and delivers its NMACS function, in-line with the claims made within the Operator’s Accountancy and Control Plan (ACP) and the Operator’s arrangements.
The sampled SSC fulfils (where relevant) ONR’s regulatory expectations regarding the regulations and expectations listed in the scope below and described further in the ONR Nuclear Material Accountancy, Control and Safeguards Assessment Principles (ONMACS).
Subject(s) of inspection
- FSE 3 Competence Management - Rating: GREEN
- FSE 5 Reliability, Resilience and Sustainability - Rating: GREEN
- FSE 6 Measurement Programme and Control - Rating: GREEN
- FSE 7 Nuclear Material Tracking - Rating: GREEN
- FSE 8 Data Processing and Control - Rating: GREEN
- NSR19 Reg06 - Accountancy and control of qualifying nuclear material - Rating: GREEN
- NSR19 Reg09 - Operation of an accountancy and control plan - Rating: GREEN
- NSR19 Reg10 - Operating records - Rating: GREEN
- NSR19 Reg11 - Accounting records - Rating: GREEN
- NSR19 Reg29 - Stock list and accounting records for conditioned and retained waste - Rating: GREEN
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
The inspection comprised of discussions with Sellafield Ltd staff, sampling and review of Sellafield Ltd operating, accounting records and other source documentation, and plant walkdowns to check the implementation of arrangements. It was carried out in line with the ONR Safeguards Technical Inspection Guide (TIG) and the ONR Nuclear Material Accountancy, Control and Safeguards Assessment Principles (ONMACS) which can be found on ONR’s website (onr.org.uk).
Based on the sampled evidence I judge that Sellafield Ltd. is implementing appropriate and proportionate arrangements for nuclear material accountancy at QS14.10, QS14.11 and QS14 20 and have met the requirements of Regulations 6 (1-4) , 9, 10 (1) , 11(1-4) and 29 of NSR19 and ONMACSs FSEs 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8.
Noting ONR guidance on inspection ratings, I judge that a GREEN rating for this inspection is appropriate.
Conclusion
In line with the ONR Inspection Rating Guide, based on the sampled evidence during the course of the intervention at Sellafield Ltd, I judge that a rating of GREEN for the following MBAs is appropriate.
QS14.10 (LAEMG), QS14.11 (WPEPS) and QS14.20 (SIXEP); in line with NSR19 regulations 6 , 9, 10,11 and 29, and expectations set out in ONMACS FSE 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8.