Regulatory Requirements and Policies Related to the Management of Radioactive Waste

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of the regulatory policies, processes and tools that are used by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) to regulate radioactive waste management facilities. Under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act, the CNSC has a mandate to regulate the nuclear industry in order to protect health, safety, the environment and national security, and to implement certain international obligations regarding the safeguarding and non-proliferation of nuclear materials. The main regulatory activities include setting regulatory standards, issuing licences, verifying compliance with those licences and communicating with stakeholders and the public. The CNSC regulatory philosophy is that licensees are directly responsible for ensuring that the activities they engage in are managed so as to protect health, safety, security and the environment and to respect Canada's international commitments. The CNSC is responsible for ensuring that licensees are properly discharging those obligations. With respect to demonstrating safety, the CNSC adopts a non-prescriptive results-oriented approach, where the burden in on the licensees to demonstrate safety. Licensing of nuclear facilities and materials, including waste, is achieved through a comprehensive 'cradle to grave' licensing system. It covers the entire life cycle of a facility from site preparation, construction, through operation, to decommissioning and abandonment. In addition, the licensing of waste and waste management facilities takes into account the need for long-term protection from the effects of radioactive waste.