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Environmental Regulators
When it comes to nuclear, the environmental agencies work closely with the ONR in regulation to make sure there are no conflicting regulatory requirements. Within its five purposes, the ONR’s environmental responsibilities relate to regulating the keeping and use of radioactive materials and the accumulation of radioactive wastes. The environmental regulators govern the disposal of radioactive waste. The environmental agencies are not limited to the nuclear industry, but nuclear sites have to comply with regulations set out by these agencies, just like they do with the ONR.
Who are the UK regulators?
The Environment Agency
“We work to create better places for people and wildlife, and support sustainable development.”
(Gov.uk)
Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)
“SEPA protects and maintains a safe, healthy and sustainable environment for the people of Scotland, ensures that business and industry is aware of and complies with environmental regulation, and warns and informs the public in the event of environmental incidents.”
(SEPA.org.uk)
Natural Resources Wales
(Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru)
“Natural Resources Wales ensures the environment and natural resources of Wales are sustainably maintained and used, now and in the future. Natural Resources Wales works with the Welsh Government.”
(Gov.uk)
Although there are no nuclear power stations in Northern Ireland, the safe storage, use, discharge and disposal of radioactive material is regulated under the Northern Ireland Executive.
What do they do?
The Environmental Regulators aim to:
- Establish and maintain control over the storage, use and security of radioactive materials.
- Use the Best Available Techniques (BAT) to control the management of radioactive waste accumulation and disposal, minimising the radiological impact on the public and the environment.
- Make that operators set aside enough money for high activity sealed radioactive sources to be recycled, reused, or disposed of.
Enforcement by the environmental agencies means taking action to ensure regulatory compliance. These may include:
- Site audits
- Issuing formal enforcements or prohibition notices
- Prosecution
- Sanctions and/or fines
Bethan Fox
