The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has published its Interim Strategy Statement, bridging the gap between its current 2020-2025 Strategy and the forthcoming Strategy 2030.
This follows the Prime Minister's announcement of a Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce, aimed at driving faster, cost-effective delivery across both civil and defence nuclear sectors, while maintaining the UK's high safety standards.
ONR has paused the final development of its full five-year strategy pending the outcome of the taskforce review.
Achievements to date
The interim document highlights several key achievements under the ONR's current strategy, including:
- establishing a new UK safeguards regime following the UK’s exit from the European Union
- granting the Sizewell C nuclear site licence
- supporting AWE Aldermaston and Burghfield's move to routine regulatory attention
- enabling new nuclear projects through early engagement with vendors and developers
- launching an innovation hub and pioneering the world's first nuclear regulatory sandbox
ONR has placed significant focus on international collaboration, including a trilateral Memorandum of Cooperation with US and Canadian nuclear regulators to collaborate on Small Modular Reactor and Advanced Modular Reactor designs.
Future direction
Nuclear safety and the protection of workers and the public will remain a priority. ONR will:
- continue supporting cost-effective regulation that adds value and provides timely regulatory decisions
- maintain our enabling regulatory approach to support safe, secure and efficient nuclear operations
- facilitate the deployment of new reactors and adoption of new technologies
- maintain close collaboration with domestic and international regulators to improve practices
- collaborate on the assessment of reactor designs to help the nuclear industry achieve its ambitions safely
The current strategy will remain in place during this transition period to ensure continuity as ONR delivers its mission in the national interest. A consultation on the full draft Strategy 2030 will take place in due course, following engagement with stakeholders and insight from the Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce.