IAEA Integrated Regulatory Review Service Mission to Canada

The Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) is one of the services offered to member states by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).  The purpose of an IRRS mission is to compare the regulatory practices of a country with international standards and equivalent good practices elsewhere in the world.

A History of the IRRS at CNSC

In November 2005, CNSC initiated an Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) of CNSC’s regulatory regime and processes by an international team of experts selected by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The review takes place in three phases.

Phase 1, the self-assessment phase, was originally conducted in 2006 with a focus on the regulation of power reactors. A complementary self-assessment that extended to the Directorate of Nuclear Substance Regulation (DNSR) and the Directorate of Nuclear Cycle and Facilities Regulation (DNCFR) was completed in 2008.

Phase 2, the initial peer review, was completed in June 2009. The resulting Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) Report to the Government of Canada provides the record of the peer review, and includes an addendum that describes the initial response of CNSC management to each of finding of the review team.

Read the IRRS Peer Review Report and CNSC’s Management Response. (PDF)

Phase 3, the follow-up phase, includes a follow-up peer review, scheduled for November 28 to December 9, 2011.

November 2011 IRRS Follow-up Mission

During the IRRS follow-up mission to Canada, members of the peer review team will undertake:

• a follow-up visit to evaluate the CNSC’s implementation of the action plan from the June 2009 IRRS Peer Review
• an assessment of the CNSC’s response to the spring 2011 events at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station
• an assessment of the CNSC’s regulatory practices related to packaging and transport of nuclear substances.

About the IAEA

The IAEA is the world’s center of cooperation in the nuclear field. It was set up as the world’s "Atoms for Peace" organization in 1957 within the United Nations family. The Agency works with its member states and multiple partners worldwide to promote safe, secure and peaceful nuclear technologies. As of February 2009, the IAEA has 146 member states.

About the IRRS Peer Review

The IRRS Peer Review was first piloted by the IAEA in Romania in 2006.  Since then, Peer Reviews have been conducted in numerous countries. 

IRRS mission peer review teams are comprised of senior regulators recruited by the IAEA from other member countries. Review team members act on behalf of the IAEA, not on behalf of their own countries while on the mission.  The review team is accompanied by IAEA staff who coordinates their activities and provides administrative support.  IAEA staff also participates in the review activities. 

IRRS Peer Review Team Members

USA

Martin Virgilio (Team Leader)
Deputy Executive Director for Reactor and Preparedness Programs
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Nathan Sanfilippo
Executive Technical Assistant
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Germany

Walter Glöckle
Deputy Head
General Affairs of Nuclear Energy Supervision Section
Ministry of Environment of the Land (state) Baden-Württemberg

Frank Nitsche
Section Head, Transport of Radioactive Material
Federal Office for Radiation Protection

United Kingdom

Robert Gray (Deputy Team Leader)
Her Majesty’s Deputy Chief Inspector (Retired)
Health and Safety Executive Nuclear Directorate

Sweden

S. Erik Jende
Senior Advisor
Swedish Radiation Safety Authority

Finland

Heikki Reponen
Head of Unit
Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority

The Netherlands

Henk Selling
Coordinator Radioactive Waste (Retired)
NL Agency

Romania

Cantemir Ciurea
Director
Nuclear Fuel Cycle Division
National Commission for Nuclear Activities Control

Israel

Ishay Levanon
Deputy Director General, Licensing and Safety
Israel Atomic Energy Commission

International Atomic Energy Agency Support and Coordination Team

David Graves (Team Coordinator)
Senior Safety Officer
Division of Nuclear Installation Safety
IAEA

John Wheatley (Deputy Team Coordinator)
Acting Head of Regulatory Infrastructure and Transport Safety Section
Division of Radiation, Transport, and Waste Safety
IAEA

Nancy Capadona
Transport Safety Specialist
Division of Radiation, Transport, and Waste Safety
IAEA

Debbie Gilley
Radiation Specialist
Division of Radiation, Transport, and Waste Safety
IAEA

Balsam Al-Madhi
Safety Service Assistant
Division of Nuclear Installation Safety
IAEA

In Attendance at Closure of the Mission

Jim Lyons
Director of Division of Nuclear Installation Safety
IAEA