Regulatory framework plans
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) maintains a regulatory framework supported by 3 published plans. Together, these outline planned regulatory changes and long-term reviews, providing interested parties opportunities for input.
On this page
To ensure that the regulatory framework remains flexible, effective and relevant, the CNSC reviews and updates its regulatory instruments on a regular basis. There are 3 types of plans that guide the review of CNSC’s regulatory framework:
- The Forward Regulatory Plan (FRP) is a public list, required by the Cabinet Directive on Regulation, of planned or anticipated regulatory changes (regulatory initiatives) that the CNSC intends to propose or finalize within a 2-year period.
- The Regulatory Stock Review Plan (RSRP) is a public list, also required by the Cabinet Directive on Regulation, of planned reviews of regulations made under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act (NSCA) that the CNSC expects to carry out over a 10-year period.
- The Regulatory Framework Plan (RFP) captures regulations and regulatory documents that the CNSC plans to develop or amend, including those outlined in the RFP and RSRP. It aligns with CNSC's corporate priorities and, also considers current developments in the nuclear environment.
Updated yearly, these plans are intended to give individual Canadians, Indigenous Nations and communities, businesses and trading partners greater opportunity to provide input on the regulatory reviews and plan for the future. For 2025–26, the CNSC has created one single unified plan, the Regulatory Framework Plan, to make it easier for interested parties to review upcoming regulatory work.
CNSC 2025–26 Regulatory Framework Plan
The table lists all current initiatives on August 12, 2025, under a single plan, which includes the FRP and the RSRP, outlining planned regulatory changes and multi-year review activities.
| Initiative | Type | Stage | Year | Plan | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Repeal and replace the Nuclear Security Regulations | Regulation | Canada Gazette, Part II | 2025–26 |
FRP RSRP |
Modernize and strengthen Nuclear Security Regulations, including aligning with international best practices and supporting new reactor technologies |
| Regulations Amending Certain Regulations Made Under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act (Import, Export, and Safeguards) | Regulation | Canada Gazette, Part II | 2025–26 |
FRP RSRP |
Update import and export controls to meet international treaty obligations and streamline requirements |
| Regulations Amending the Class II Nuclear Facilities and Prescribed Equipment Regulations (Miscellaneous) | Regulation | Canada Gazette, Part II | 2025–26 |
FRP RSRP |
Modernize Class II facility regulations, reduce regulatory burden and reflect operational experience |
| REGDOC-1.1.4, Licence Application Guide: Licence to Decommission Reactor Facilities | Regulatory document | Publication | 2025–26 | Provide updated guidance on applying for licences to decommission reactor facilities | |
| REGDOC-2.4.1, Deterministic Safety Analysis | Regulatory document | Consultation | 2025–26 | Revise safety analysis requirements for assessing potential accidents at nuclear facilities | |
| REGDOC-2.6.3, Aging Management for Nuclear Facilities, Version 2 | Regulatory document | Consultation | 2025–26 | Update requirements and guidance for managing the aging of structures, systems and components | |
| REGDOC-2.6.4, Chemistry Control for Reactor Facilities | Regulatory document | Commission decision | 2025–26 | Provide requirements and guidance for chemistry control to ensure safe operation of equipment | |
| REGDOC-2.10.1, Nuclear Emergency Preparedness and Response | Regulatory document | Commission decision | 2025 | Revise guidance on emergency preparedness and response at nuclear facilities | |
| REGDOC-3.2.2, Indigenous Engagement | Regulatory document | Consultation | 2025–26 | Update the approach to Indigenous consultations and engagement to reflect best practices and feedback | |
| REGDOC-1.3.1, Licence Application Guide: Deep Geological Repository | Regulatory document | Publication | 2025–26 | Provide licensing guidance for deep geological repository projects | |
| Nuclear Security Regulations Project- associated regulatory documents (REGDOC-2.12 series and others) | Regulatory document | Consultation | 2025–26 | Revise associated regulatory documents related to nuclear security requirements | |
| SCA-Physical Design (REGDOC- 1.1.1,1.1.3, 1.1.5, 2.5.1., 2.5.2, 3.5.4) (2.5.4 is under UMM but needs to be considered for consistency) | Regulatory document | Review | 2025–26 | RSRP | Review physical design requirements and guidance to ensure consistency across documents |
| REGDOC-2.3.3, Periodic Safety Reviews | Regulatory document | Consultation | 2025–26 | Update requirements for periodic safety reviews at nuclear facilities | |
| Uranium Mines and Mills Regulations | Regulation | Review | 2026–27 | RSRP | Review and update uranium mine and mill regulations to reflect modern practices |
| REGDOC-3.2.1, Public Information and Disclosure | Regulatory document | Early consultations | 2026–27 | Update requirements for licensees to inform the public and disclose information about their nuclear activities | |
| Nuclear Substances Regulations project - Regulatory document component | Regulatory document | Consultations | 2026–27 | Revise associated regulatory documents to align with updates to the Nuclear Substances and Radiation Devices Regulations | |
| SCA-Waste Management (REGDOC-2.11 suite) | Regulatory document | Review | 2027–28 | RSRP | Review and update guidance for radioactive waste management and decommissioning strategies |
| Regulations Amending the Nuclear Substances and Radiation Devices Regulations and the Packaging and Transportation of Nuclear Substances Regulations, 2015 | Regulation | Canada Gazette , Part I | 2027–28 |
FRP RSRP |
Clarify definitions, reduce administrative burden and align with international guidance for nuclear substances and transport |
| Nuclear Security Regulations: Designation of peace officers | Regulation | Canada Gazette , Part I | 2027–28 | FRP | Amend regulations to reflect new requirements from Bill C-21, including peace officer designations and complaint handling processes |
| Class II Nuclear Facilities and Prescribed Equipment Regulations | Regulation | Canada Gazette , Part I | 2027–28 | RSRP | Modernize requirements, reduce duplication and incorporate operational experience to support safety and flexibility |
| Amending the Nuclear Security Regulations Project (Peace Officers) - Regulatory document component | Regulatory document | Consultation | 2027–28 | Revise regulatory documents related to the designation and conduct of nuclear security officers as peace officers | |
| SCA-Management System (Linked to GNSCR Review) (REGDOC-2.1 suite) | Regulatory document | Review | 2028–29 | RSRP | Review management system requirements to align with updates to the General Nuclear Safety and Control Regulations |
| SCA- Human Performance (REGDOC-2.2 Suite) | Regulatory document | Review | 2028–29 | RSRP | Review human performance guidance to support safe and reliable operation of nuclear facilities |
| Nuclear substances including packaging and transport - SCA 2.14 suite | Regulatory document | Review | 2029-30 | RSRP | Review and harmonize packaging, transport and substance handling standards across related documents |
| Radiation Protection Regulations and SCA of Radiation (REGDOC-2.7 suite) | Regulatory document | Review | 2029–30 | RSRP | Update radiation protection guidance to reflect amendments to the Radiation Protection Regulations |
| Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Rules of Procedure | Regulation | Review | 2029–30 | RSRP | Review procedural rules to ensure clarity, transparency and alignment with modern administrative practices |
| Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission By-laws | Regulation | Review | 2029–30 | RSRP | Review and update CNSC by-laws for consistency with legislative requirements and good governance. |
| Radiation Protection Regulations | Regulation | Review | 2029–30 | RSRP | Implement amendments to strengthen worker protection and align with current science and international standards |
| SCA-Operating Performance (REGDOC-2.3 suite) | Regulatory document | Review | 2030–31 | RSRP | Review performance expectations to enhance regulatory clarity for the operation of nuclear facilities |
| SCA-Fitness for service (REGDOC-2.6 suite) | Regulatory document | Review | 2030–31 | RSRP | Update requirements related to equipment reliability, aging management and service life of key systems |
| SCA-Reporting (REGDOC-3.1 suite) | Regulatory document | Review | 2031–32 | RSRP | Clarify and align reporting requirements with operational needs and regulatory expectations |
| SCA-Conventional Health and Safety (REGDOC-2.8 suite) | Regulatory document | Review | 2032–33 | RSRP | Enhance guidance on conventional health and safety programs within nuclear facilities |
| General Nuclear Safety and Control Regulations | Regulation | Review | 2032–33 | RSRP | Amend regulations to improve safeguards coverage and remove outdated requirements |
| Class I Nuclear Facilities Regulations | Regulation | Review | 2032–33 | RSRP | Modernize requirements for the licensing and operation of Class I nuclear facilities |
| Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Cost Recovery Fees Regulations | Regulation | Review | 2033–34 | RSRP | Set regulatory fees and methods for calculating licence costs; review will reflect updates to the cost recovery structure |
| SCA-Financial Guarantees (REGDOC-3.3 suite) | Regulatory document | Review | 2034–35 | RSRP | Review requirements to ensure licensees have funding for decommissioning and long-term obligations |
| Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations | Regulation | Review | 2034–35 | RSRP | Update violations subject to penalties under the NSCA to reflect regulatory and enforcement changes |
| SCA-Emergency management and fire protection (REGDOC-2.10 suite) | Regulatory document | Review | 2035–36 | RSRP | Update requirements for emergency preparedness and fire protection at licensed facilities |
| SCA- Safety Analysis (REGDOC-2.4 suite) | Regulatory document | Review | 2035–36 | RSRP | Update safety analysis requirements and methods to support regulatory compliance |
| Flood hazard assessment issue (Climate change lens) | Regulatory document | Early consultation | 2025 |
Completed or removed initiatives
This section lists initiatives from the FRP, RFP and RSRP that were completed, removed, postponed or merged into other work to keep the framework clear, efficient and up to date.
| Initiative | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fusion – Impacts on the Regulatory Framework | Regulatory document | Complete |
| REGDOC-2.5.2, Design of Reactor Facilities | Regulatory document | Moved to SCA for Physical Design (SMR readiness projects) |
| Quantitative Health Objective (QHO) | Regulatory document | Removed |
| SMR readiness: Defence in depth | Regulatory document | Postponed |
| REGDOC- 1.2.3, Licence Application Guide: Deep Geological Repository | Regulatory document | Complete |
| REGDOC-2.4.5, Nuclear Fuel Safety and Qualification | Regulatory document | Complete |
| REGDOC-2.9.2, Controlling Releases to the Environment | Regulatory document | Complete |
| REGDOC-3.1.1, Reporting Requirements for Nuclear Power Plant | Regulatory document | Complete |
| REGDOC-2.7.3, Radiation Protection Guidelines for Safe Handling of Decedents | Regulatory document | Removed from external plan, to be rescinded |
| REGDOC-2.14.1, Packaging and Transport, Volume III: Joint Canada-United States Guide for Approval of Type B(U) and Fissile Material Transportation Packages | Regulatory document | Postponed |
| REGDOC-3.5.1, Licensing Processes | Regulatory document | Moved to stock review of Commission proceedings |
| REGDOC-1.1.5, Supplemental Information for Small Modular Reactor Proponents | Regulatory document | Moved to SCA for physical design (SMR readiness) |
| REGDOC-2.2.5, Minimum Staff Complement | Regulatory document | Moved to SCA for human performance |
| REGDOC-2.4.3, Nuclear Criticality Safety | Regulatory document | Moved to SCA for 2.4 series (Safety analysis REGDOC-2.4 suite) |
| REGDOC-2.5.7, Design of Exposure Devices | Regulatory document | Part of Class II regulations work |
| REGDOC-2.6.2, Maintenance Programs for Nuclear Power Plants | Regulatory document | Moved to SCA for fitness for service |
| REGDOC-2.7.1, Radiation Protection | Regulatory document | Moved to work with Radiation Protection Regulations. |
| REGDOC-2.9.1, Environmental Protection: Environmental Principles, Assessments and Protection Measures | Regulatory document | Postponed |
| REGDOC-2.11, Framework for Radioactive Waste Management and Decommissioning in Canada | Regulatory document | Moved to SCA for waste management (2026–27) |
| REGDOC-1.2.1, Guidance on Deep Geological Repository Site Characterization | Regulatory document | Moved to SCA for waste management (2026–27) |
| REGDOC-1.6.2, Radiation Protection Programs for Nuclear Substances and Radiation Devices Licensees | Regulatory document | Moved to be part of nuclear substances review |
| REGDOC-2.2.4, Fitness for duty, Volume II: Managing Drug and Alcohol Use | Regulatory document | Moved to SCA human performance 2029 |
| REGDOC-2.7.2, Dosimetry, Volume I: Ascertaining Occupational Dose | Regulatory document | Moved to Radiation protection regulations |
| REGDOC-2.11.1, Waste Management, Volume III: Safety Case for Long-Term Radioactive Waste Management | Regulatory document | Moved to SCA for waste management (2026–27) |
| REGDOC-2.11.2, Decommissioning | Regulatory document | Moved to SCA for waste management (2026–27) |
| REGDOC-3.3.1, Financial Guarantees | Regulatory document | Moved to SCA for financial guarantees |
| SCA - Security - related to the NSR project | Regulations | Merged with NSR work |
| Uranium Mines and Mills Regulations (includes REGDOC-1.3.1, REGDOC- 2.5.4, etc.) | Regulation | Covered by other items on the new RFP |
| Class II Nuclear Facilities and Prescribed Equipment Regulations (Includes REGDOC-1.4.1, 1.5.1) | Regulation | Covered by other items on the new RFP |
| REGDOC-2.3.4, Operations Programs for Reactor Facilities | Regulatory document | Complete |
Related links
Page details
- Date modified: