The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) was commended by international experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) following an expert mission in November 2014.
ONR, in collaboration with the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), requested the IAEA to carry out a progress review mission to the UK, following on from the series of Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) missions in 2006, 2009 and 2013. This was the first time a member state has requested assessment against findings within a year of a peer review mission, demonstrating the UK and ONR's commitment to continuously improving its regulatory framework.
The mission was part of a special project to address the 26 findings that existed from the previous IRRS mission in October 2013, with the aim to review ONR's progress. The team reviewed comprehensive evidence and met with several members of staff, to conclude that 21 out of 26 of the findings could be closed. Furthermore, all 12 findings relating specifically to radioactive waste and decommissioning were closed based on evidence or progress made and confidence of the full implementation.
The five remaining findings relate to longer term programmes of work, including findings on the ONR management system and the review of licence conditions. ONR received positive feedback on progress made to date and existing forward plans.
In the final report from the 2014 mission the IAEA team commends:
- the extent of progress made since 2013 demonstrating the continuous effort to improve;
- the UK and ONR's commitment to high standards of nuclear safety and the benefits of the IRRS process.
The next full scope IRRS mission for the UK is anticipated in 2019 to meet expectations set out in the European Union Nuclear Safety Directive.
Outcomes
The outcome of the peer review is published in the 2019 UK IRRS Mission Report. In summary, for ONR, the peer review identified:
- 1 Good Practice
- 7 Recommendations
- 5 Suggestions
The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) was commended by international experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) following an expert mission in November 2014.
ONR, in collaboration with the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), requested the IAEA to carry out a progress review mission to the UK, following on from the series of Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) missions in 2006, 2009 and 2013. This was the first time a member state has requested assessment against findings within a year of a peer review mission, demonstrating the UK and ONR's commitment to continuously improving its regulatory framework.
The mission was part of a special project to address the 26 findings that existed from the previous IRRS mission in October 2013, with the aim to review ONR's progress. The team reviewed comprehensive evidence and met with several members of staff, to conclude that 21 out of 26 of the findings could be closed. Furthermore, all 12 findings relating specifically to radioactive waste and decommissioning were closed based on evidence or progress made and confidence of the full implementation.
The five remaining findings relate to longer term programmes of work, including findings on the ONR management system and the review of licence conditions. ONR received positive feedback on progress made to date and existing forward plans.
In the final report from the 2014 mission the IAEA team commends:
- the extent of progress made since 2013 demonstrating the continuous effort to improve;
- the UK and ONR's commitment to high standards of nuclear safety and the benefits of the IRRS process.
The next full scope IRRS mission for the UK is anticipated in 2019 to meet expectations set out in the European Union Nuclear Safety Directive.