The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission: Readiness Activities 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 reactors (SMR) technology. This paper describes why Canada, and the CNSC, is of such interest to the international SMR community for prelicensing engagement and potential licensing of SMRs. It discusses what an SMR is and what potentially differentiates them 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) 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 CNSC Vendor Design Review (VDR) process is described as well as its part in ensuring a state of readiness to evaluate a licence application.