Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection:
January 2026
Aim of inspection
The purpose of this vendor inspection (VI) was to sample the adequacy of Kaefer's arrangements, established in its management system, for the supply of nuclear safety related items or services to the GB nuclear industry.
The Energy Act (2013) establishes ONR as the Enforcing Authority for section 6 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA74). One of the methods ONR utilises to exercise it Enforcing Authority responsibility is to conduct inspections of companies in the GB nuclear supply chain. These inspections are known as vendor inspections (VIs), and ONR coordinates these via the annual VI programme.
Subject(s) of inspection
- Health & Safety at Work Act, Section 6 (General duties of manufacturers) - Rating: GREEN
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
This inspection focused on Kaefer's capability to supply nuclear safety related items or services to the GB nuclear industry, including its supporting Supply Chain Management (SCM) arrangements.
The inspection included a review of relevant management system arrangements supplied by Kaefer in advance of and during the inspection, in addition to discussions with members of the Kaefer organisation, to provide confidence that the supplier had
- Processes in place to receive, interpret and cascade specifications to sub-suppliers;
- Sufficient technical and organisational capability to deliver its supplied items or services;
- Effective arrangements to control the risks associated with the supplied items or services;
- Mechanisms to identify and track deviations from specified requirements and concessions; and
- A programme of supply chain oversight and assurance activities.
An ONR team comprising supply chain and quality specialist inspectors carried out the inspection. The inspection was undertaken in person at Kaefer's manufacturing facility in Jarrow between on the 13 - 16 January 2026. This provided the opportunity to interact with staff performing work and sample records to consider the adequate implementation of its arrangements.
The inspection found areas of good practice and minor shortfalls that Kaefer will be required to address. However, no significant matters were identified as requiring additional regulatory attention.
Conclusion
Based on the evidence sampled, Kaefer have demonstrated arrangements are established in their management system(s), for the supply of nuclear safety related items or services to the GB nuclear industry, and those arrangements are generally being applied in a suitable and sufficient manner. Therefore, a GREEN rating has been assigned to the inspection.
The minor areas for improvement identified during the inspection warrant a Level 4 Regulatory Issue.