Determining Appropriate Licensing Strategies for Novel Nuclear Technologies in Canada

Abstract

The CNSC is Canada’s nuclear regulator. The CNSC uses a combination of prescriptive and performance-based approaches to ensure regulatory activities are conducted in an effective, flexible and pragmatic manner using a graded approach. Regulatory decisions use rigorous risk-informed decision-making processes.The graded approach is a method or process by which elements necessary to comply with requirements are commensurate with:

• The risks to health, safety, security, the environment, and the implementation of international obligations to which Canada has agreed
• The characteristics of a facility or activity

The CNSC has established a new pre-licensing process to enhance regulatory clarity regarding the licensing of novel nuclear activities in Canada. This new process, called: Determining Appropriate Licensing Strategies for Novel Nuclear Technologies [1], solicits information from a proponent seeking to conduct activities and provides them with feedback on the regulatory approach and related expectations taking into account the degree of novelty, complexity and potential risk presented by the proposed activities.