The CNSC's Regulatory Framework Plan

View the Regulatory Framework Plan (PDF)

The CNSC has developed the Regulatory Framework Plan 2012-2018, which sets out the regulations and regulatory documents that the CNSC plans to develop or amend. The CNSC's regulatory framework consists of laws passed by Parliament that govern the regulation of Canada's nuclear industry, and regulations, licences and documents that the CNSC uses to regulate the industry.

The Plan lists existing and proposed documents according to:

• regulated facilities and activities
• safety and control areas
• other regulatory areas

The Plan outlines the regulations and regulatory documents that the CNSC will be developing or amending in the coming years. Aligned with the CNSC’s corporate priorities, the plan also considers current developments in the nuclear environment. It is reviewed four times a year and adjusted as necessary.

The Plan includes all activities, from policy analysis through to the publication of regulations and regulatory documents. Documents are reviewed at least every five years. After review, the CNSC decides if they are still appropriate, or need to be updated.

The 2012-2018 Plan focuses on:

• lessons learned from the Fukushima accident
• nuclear power plant site preparation and construction
• long-term operations management and aging management for nuclear power plants
• reliability and maintenance programs for nuclear power plants
• certification and training
• better defining the CNSC’s expectations for security and reporting
• licence application guides for Class II nuclear facilities
• safety culture for nuclear facilities

The Plan’s structure

The Plan and the CNSC’s regulatory documents are organized by regulated facilities and activities, safety and control areas, and other areas of regulatory interest. As documents are reviewed or developed according to the Plan, they will be assessed in the context of their broader section in the structure and opportunities to consolidate documents will be explored.

The Plan contains the following sections:

1.0 Regulated Facilities and Activities

1. 1.1

   Reactor Site Preparation

2. 1.2

   Reactor Construction

3. 1.3

   Reactor Operation

4. 1.4

   Reactor Decommissioning

5. 1.5

   Class IB Facilities (for example, nuclear fuel processing facilities and waste facilities)

6. 1.6

   Uranium Mines and Mills

7. 1.7

   Class II Facilities (for example, cancer therapy facilities and particle accelerators)

8. 1.8

   Certification of Prescribed Equipment

9. 1.9

   Nuclear Substances and Radiation Devices

10. 1.10

    Certification of Packages

2.0 Safety and Control Areas

1. 2.1

   Management System

2. 2.2

   Human Performance Management

3. 2.3

   Operating Performance

4. 2.4

   Safety Analysis

5. 2.5

   Physical Design

6. 2.6

   Fitness for Service

7. 2.7

   Radiation Protection

8. 2.8

   Conventional Health and Safety

9. 2.9

   Environmental Protection

10. 2.10

    Emergency Management and Fire Protection

11. 2.11

    Waste Management

12. 2.12

    Security

13. 2.13

    Safeguards and Non-Proliferation

14. 2.14

    Packaging and Transport

3.0 Other Regulatory Areas

1. 3.1

   Reporting Requirements

2. 3.2

   Public & Aboriginal Engagement

3. 3.3

   Financial Guarantees

4. 3.4

   Cost Recovery

5. 3.5

   Commission Proceedings

6. 3.6

   Information Dissemination

To receive updates on the CNSC’s regulatory documents, sign up for email updates at the CNSC Subscription Centre. Subscribers will receive notices detailing when draft regulatory documents are available for public comment and when they are published.

For more information

• Government-Wide Forward Regulatory Plans
• The Cabinet Directive on Regulatory Management
• The Red Tape Reduction Action Plan
• The Canada-United States Regulatory Cooperation Council

To learn about upcoming or ongoing consultations on proposed federal regulations, visit the Canada Gazette and Consulting with Canadians Web sites.