The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission's Readiness to Regulate Small Modular Reactors

Abstract

Over the course of the last several years the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has engaged with numerous vendors and potential licenses of small modular reactor (SMR) technology. This paper discusses what an SMR is and what potentially makes them different from standard nuclear power plants (NPP). Readiness activities for the potential licensing of SMRs are described as well as modifications being made to the CNSC’s existing regulatory framework to facilitate the same, without reducing safety. The role of the CNSC’s discussion paper DIS-16-04, Small Modular Reactors: Regulatory Strategy, Approaches and Challenges (DIS 16-04)[1] and how feedback received on it helped confirm the CNSC’s modifications to be undertaken to the regulatory framework, as well as areas requiring further clarity, are highlighted. Finally the role of the CNSC Vendor Design Review (VDR) process is described as well as other readiness activities undertaken by the CNSC that are helping to ensure that the CNSC will be ready to accept and evaluate a licence application for an SMR.