Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection:
July 2025
Aim of inspection
The purpose of this inspection is to seek evidence in support of Stork Technical Services, Material Balance Area: QTME’s compliance with the Nuclear Safeguards (EU Exit) Regulation 2019 (NSR19). The dutyholder's accountancy arrangements are appropriate and proportionate for the qualifying nuclear facility and that they are implemented adequately for nuclear material accountancy and control of Qualifying Nuclear Material (QNM).
Subject(s) of inspection
- FSE 3 Competence Management - Rating: GREEN
- FSE 4 Reporting, Anomalies, and Investigations - Rating: GREEN
- FSE 7 Nuclear Material Tracking - Rating: GREEN
- FSE 9 Material Balance - Rating: GREEN
- NSR19 Reg06 - Accountancy and control of qualifying nuclear material - Rating: GREEN
- NSR19 Reg07 - Accountancy and control plan - Rating: GREEN
- NSR19 Reg31 - Declaration of basic technical characteristics, stock list and accounting records for qualifying nu - Rating: GREEN
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
This report presents the findings of the ONR Safeguards Compliance Inspection at Stork (QTME).
To draw an independent and informed regulatory judgement, I sampled the dutyholder's Annex I-H Basic Technical Characteristics (BTC) dated July 2021 and the Accountancy and Control Plan (ACP) dated March 2022 to ensure that it contained adequate descriptions of its procedures and its operations for QNM which is proportionate to and appropriate for the qualifying facility in accordance with the Nuclear Safeguards (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (NSR19), Regulations 7 and 31(5).
Also, as part of this inspection, I sampled evidence of the dutyholder's implementation of its local arrangements and procedures for the accountancy and control of qualifying nuclear materials, including verification of operating and accounting records for nuclear material transfers, followed by a plant walkdown of the facility areas in accordance with Regulation 6 of NSR19.
The inspection was performed in line with relevant ONR guidance, which can be found on ONR’s website Nuclear safeguards | Office for Nuclear Regulation, as well as the ONR Safeguards subdivision operational schedule for 2025/2026 and ONR Safeguards integrated inspection strategy for Qualifying Nuclear Facilities with Limited Operation (QNFLO).
Based on the sample I inspected, I raised two minor observations as follows:
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(1) The Material Balance Report (MBR) for 2023 Report Number 6 shows a number of individual domestic receipts and that such transfers can be grouped as one, thereby entering one line showing the total element weights. This format can also be applied to other inventory change codes for example; domestic shipments. Furthermore, the Physical Inventory Listing (PIL) submissions, shows a list of DU containers grouped by container type and shows the total element weight but the PIL should list each individual item showing each batch and its associated element weight.
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(2) dutyholder to consider Safeguards awareness training to ensure contingences within the organisation and compliance with NSR19.
Overall, I judge that from the evidence sampled, the dutyholder's procedures, accountancy and control of QNM are being implemented in a proportionate manner,in line with their own arrangements and are compliant with NRS19 Regulations 6, 7 and 31(5) and in line with ONR's Safeguards regulatory expectations (ONMACS), specifically FSEs 3, 4, 7 and 9, for a qualifying nuclear facility with limited operation and exemption (QNFLO).
Upon consideration of the ONR guidance on inspection ratings, I judge that a rating of GREEN (no formal action) is appropriate.
Conclusion
Overall, I judge from the evidence sampled, that the dutyholder's procedures, accountancy and control of QNM are being implemented in a proportionate manner, in line with their own arrangements and are compliant with Regulations 6, 7 and 31(5) and in line with ONR's Safeguards regulatory expectations (ONMACS), specifically FSEs 3, 4, 7 and 9.
Upon consideration of the ONR guidance on inspection ratings, I judge that a rating of GREEN (no formal action) is appropriate.