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Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator (DNSR)

Who are DNSR and what do they do?

What is the DNSR?

The Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator (DNSR) is like the safety police for the Ministry of Defence (MoD). They make sure everything related to nuclear stuff in the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE), including the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Programme (NNPP), is super safe. Submarines with nuclear reactors would generally require licencing under the Nuclear Installation Act 1965 except for specific text that excludes any nuclear reactor that is within a means of transport, such as a submarine. In this way, but the MOD is exempt from legislation because of being a Crown body.

However, the MoD doesn’t get a pass on general safety laws like the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act (HSWA), Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017 (IRR17), and Radiation Emergency Preparedness and Public Information Regulations 2019 (REPPIR). For these regulations, they work with the civil regulator called the ONR to help out and make sure everyone follows the rules.

The DNSR team is a mix of regular and navy people, mostly nuclear experts, with some administrative support to keep things running smoothly.

How the DNSR regulate

As with the ONR, the DNSR does things a bit differently. Instead of telling people exactly what to do to be safe, they ask them to show how they’re keeping things safe. This way, the rules can be adapted for different places or situations, and it allows for new and cool ideas as long as they can prove they’re safe.

The DNSR rules are based on what the civil regulator (Office for Nuclear Regulation – ONR) uses, with some changes only when needed and renamed to the Authorisation Conditions (AC). Some extra rules called Further Authorisation Conditions (FAC), and Transport Conditions (TC) are also needed because of the difference between what the ONR regulates and the DNSR.

There are:

Authorisation Condition (AC) – Total: 36
Further Authorisation Condition (FAC) – Total: 6
Transport Conditions (TC) – Total: 1

Authorisation Conditions

All
Authorisation Conditions (AC)
Further Authorisation Conditions (FAC)
Transport Conditions (TC)

AC1 – Interpretation
This rule sets conditions and roles for nuclear activities. It defines important terms and talks about the responsibilities of different people involved, like the Authorisee and DNSR. The main focus is on making sure everything is safe and follows the rules.

AC2 – Marking of the Site Boundary
This rule says the Authorisee must make sure nobody enters the nuclear site without permission. They need approval from DNSR for their plans, and once approved, they can’t change things without asking DNSR first.

AC3 – Restriction on Dealing with the Site
The Authorisee can’t sell, transfer, or give away any part of the site without permission from DNSR.

AC4 – Restriction on Nuclear Matter on the Site
The Authorisee has to follow rules for bringing, storing, and using nuclear matter on the site. DNSR approval is required for specified parts of these arrangements, and any alterations must also be approved by DNSR.

AC5 – Consignment of Nuclear Matter
This requires Authorisees to obtain DNSR consent for sending nuclear matter to non-Authorised sites. It also mandates the maintenance of detailed records for dispatched nuclear matter, stating a specified period, with an extended duration in case of theft, loss or abandonment incidents.

AC6 – Documents, Records, Authorities, and Certificates
The Authorisee must keep records to show they’re following the rules. DNSR needs to approve some of these records, and the Authorisee has to share them when asked.

Explore Further

Choose from the articles below to continue learning about nuclear.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) – Who are they and what do they do?

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is the world’s central forum for scientific and technical cooperation in the nuclear sector.