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Sellafield - Inspection ID: 53221

Executive summary

Date(s) of inspection: 

February 2025

Aim of inspection

This planned compliance inspection was conducted in February 2025 on the Sellafield site, in line with Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) Safeguards annual implementation plan. The purpose of the inspection was to seek evidence in support of Sellafield Ltd’s compliance with The Nuclear Safeguards (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (NSR19).

 

The inspection involved a planning phase and a site visit including discussions with relevant Sellafield Ltd personnel, review of records, and sampling of relevant arrangements and documentation. The inspection was performed in line with relevant ONR guidance, which can be found on ONR’s website (onr.org.uk).

 

I sampled qualifying nuclear facilities (QNF) in the material balance areas (MBA) QS01, QS08 and QS13. These areas store a significant inventory of qualifying nuclear material (QNM) in a variety enrichments and forms. Non-safeguarded QNM is also managed within the sampled QNF. Intra-MBA movements of QNM also take place to manage the inventories. I sought to gain regulatory confidence that the Accountancy and Control Plan (ACP) and Basic Technical Characteristics (BTC) documents are adequate and up to date for the existing operations in the sampled facilities. 

Subject(s) of inspection

  • FSE 3 Competence Management - Rating: Not Rated
  • FSE 4 Reporting, Anomalies, and Investigations - Rating: GREEN
  • FSE 6 Measurement Programme and Control - Rating: Not Rated
  • FSE 7 Nuclear Material Tracking - Rating: GREEN
  • FSE 8 Data Processing and Control - Rating: GREEN
  • NSR19 Reg03 - Declaration of basic technical characteristics - Rating: GREEN
  • NSR19 Reg06 - Accountancy and control of qualifying nuclear material - Rating: GREEN
  • NSR19 Reg09 - Operation of an accountancy and control plan - Rating: GREEN
  • NSR19 Reg10 - Operating records - Rating: GREEN
  • NSR19 Reg11 - Accounting records - Rating: GREEN
  • NSR19 Reg12 - Accounting reports - Rating: GREEN
  • Overall Inspection Rating - Rating: GREEN

Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made

Overall, Sellafield Ltd has provided adequate level of assurance and evidence during the inspection to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of NSR19. Based on my inspection sample, I judge that NMACS are being implemented by Sellafield Ltd in a proportionate and appropriate manner, and in line with their own arrangements. I did not identify any significant shortfalls against NSR19 or fundamental safeguards expectations set out in ONR Nuclear Material Accountancy, Control, and Safeguards Assessment Principles (ONMACS) guidance.

Conclusion

Upon consideration of the ONR guidance on inspection ratings, I judge that a rating of GREEN (no formal action) is appropriate.

I provided feedback to Sellafield Ltd on the inspection findings at the close-out meeting onsite.