Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection
- June 2026
Aim of inspection
The aims of the inspection are to seek assurance that the licensee:
- has adequate arrangements for the production and management of periodic safety reviews;
- has implemented an adequate strategy and programme to deliver the full lifecycle of periodic safety reviews required across the site;
- has sufficient capacity and capability to deliver the strategy and programme; and
- is sustaining compliance with its arrangements for the review of safety cases and has credible resolution plans to implement identified improvements in a timely manner.
Subject(s) of inspection
- LC15 - Periodic Review - Rating: Green
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
The inspector considered that the licensee had adequate arrangements under LC15 for carrying out long-term periodic safety reviews and was sustaining compliance with those arrangements. Some minor shortfalls were noted.
The inspector judged that the licensee had implemented an adequate strategy and programme to deliver the full lifecycle of periodic safety reviews required across the site.
Based on sampling of an upcoming long-term periodic review for one of the enrichment facilities, the inspector was satisfied that the licensee had sufficient capacity and capability to undertake the review.
The inspector judged that, for the majority of safety cases sampled, there were credible resolution plans in place to implement identified improvements in a timely manner. In one instance, the number of outstanding recommendations was higher than expected, given the time that had elapsed since the last long-term periodic review. The inspector was satisfied that an improvement plan is being developed and will follow up on progress as part of normal regulatory business.
The licensee has recently revised its arrangements for undertaking short-term periodic reviews and is now undertaking continuous reviews rather than the previous yearly reviews. The inspector considered that the new arrangements, whilst at an early stage in their implementation, are adequate and should enable improvements to the maintenance of safety cases.
The inspector identified some instances where interim safety case reviews had not been carried out, or were significantly delayed. The inspector gave advice that the ongoing requirement for such reviews should be considered as part of the implementation of the continuous review arrangements. The inspector intends to follow up on the effectiveness of implementation of these arrangements as part of normal regulatory business.
Conclusion
I judge that the licensee has adequate arrangements for carrying out long term periodic safety reviews and that these arrangements are being adequately implemented, with only minor shortfalls being identified.
Based on sampling of an upcoming long-term period review for one of the enrichment facilities, I am satisfied that the licensee has sufficient capacity and capability to undertake this review.
For the scope of this inspection, I consider that for LC15 a Green rating (no further action) is appropriate against ONR’s inspection rating guide.