News Releases

IAEA report confirms the effectiveness of Canada's nuclear regulatory framework

12-07

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 5, 2012

The CNSC is pleased to announce that, today, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) released the results of its November 2011 assessment of Canada's nuclear regulatory framework.

The Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) mission concluded that the CNSC's response to the March 2011 events at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station was prompt, robust and comprehensive, and is a good practice that should be used by other regulatory bodies.

“While there are always opportunities for improvement, the IAEA's assessment confirms that we are doing what it takes to keep Canada and Canadians safe,” said CNSC President Michael Binder.

The assessment, which was a peer review by an international team of nuclear regulatory experts from seven countries, included:

  • 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.

Highlights of the report include:

  • The recommendations and suggestions from the 2009 IRRS mission were systematically addressed through active senior management commitment.
  • The CNSC has performed a systematic and thorough review of the implications and lessons learned from the March 2011 accident in Fukushima Japan, ensuring that Canadian nuclear power plants are safe.
  • The regulatory framework for the transport of radioactive materials is well established and commensurate with the large scope and volume of transport activities in Canada.

The English version of the IRRS report and the CNSC Management Response are available on the CNSC Web site. The French translation of the report will be posted at a later date.

About the IRRS

The IRRS is a service by the IAEA to member states. IRRS peer reviews compare a country's regulatory practices with international standards and equivalent good practices elsewhere in the world. Peer reviews are opportunities for both the CNSC and the IAEA to learn about different approaches to the organization and practices of national nuclear regulatory bodies. The reviews can also provide feedback to the IAEA on the application of IAEA safety standards and contribute to the harmonization of regulatory approaches among member states.

The IRRS Mission to Canada focuses on the CNSC as the federal nuclear regulator mandated by Parliament to regulate the use of nuclear energy and materials in Canada. The review took place in three phases: a self-assessment (conducted in 2006 and 2008), a Peer Review (conducted in June 2009) and a follow-up mission (November 28, 2011 to December 9, 2011).

For additional information:

Aurele Gervais
CNSC Media Relations
613-996-6860