Frequently Asked Questions About Regulations Administered by the CNSC

Regulations Administered by the CNSC

General Nuclear Safety and Control Regulations
Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations
Radiation Protection Regulations
Class I Nuclear Facilities Regulations
Class II Nuclear Facilities and Prescribed Equipment Regulations
Uranium Mine and Mills Regulations
Nuclear Substances and Radiation Devices Regulations
Packaging and Transport of Nuclear Substances Regulations
Nuclear Security Regulations
Nuclear Non-proliferation Import and Export Control Regulations
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Cost Recovery Fees Regulations
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Rules of Procedure
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission By-laws

General Nuclear Safety and Control Regulations

1. What is the purpose of this regulation?

This regulation sets out the general requirements that all CNSC applicants and licensees must meet. It focuses on protecting the health, safety and security of the public and the environment.

2. What are the key elements of this regulation?

General requirements for all licence applications are stated. This regulation also defines prescribed nuclear facilities, equipment and information, and sets out general licensee obligations such as record keeping and reporting.

3. How does this regulation affect Canadian businesses?

All CNSC-regulated businesses must meet the requirements set out in this regulation.

4. What is the timeline for implementation?

The CNSC is committed to reviewing its regulations on a regular basis. More information is available in the CNSC’s Regulatory Framework Plan and the CNSC’s Forward Regulatory Plan

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Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations

1. What is the purpose of this regulation?

This regulation implements the CNSC's administrative monetary penalties (AMPs) system, which is one of the CNSC’s tools for addressing licensee non-compliance.

2. What are the key elements of this regulation?

Violations subject to AMPs under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act (NSCA) are listed, along with the method and criteria by which penalty amounts are determined, and how notices of violations are served.

3. How does this regulation affect Canadian businesses?

A business that commits a violation under the NSCA may be issued an AMP in accordance with this regulation.

4. What is the timeline for implementation?

The CNSC is committed to reviewing its regulations on a regular basis. More information is available in the CNSC’s Regulatory Framework Plan and the CNSC’s Forward Regulatory Plan

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Radiation Protection Regulations

1. What is the purpose of this regulation?

This regulation sets out requirements for the protection of the health and safety of workers and the public from ionizing radiation.

2. What are the key elements of this regulation?

This regulation places limits on radiation doses to workers and members of the public. It also requires all CNSC licensees to implement radiation protection programs that keep exposure below regulatory limits and as low as reasonably achievable.

3. How does this regulation affect Canadian businesses?

All CNSC-regulated businesses must meet the requirements set out in this regulation.

4. What is the timeline for implementation?

The CNSC is committed to reviewing its regulations on a regular basis. More information is available in the CNSC’s Regulatory Framework Plan and the CNSC’s Forward Regulatory Plan

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Class I Nuclear Facilities Regulations

1. What is the purpose of this regulation?

This regulation sets out the requirements for site preparation, construction, operation, decommissioning and abandonment of Class I nuclear facilities, such as nuclear power plants, processing and fuel fabrication facilities, and waste disposal facilities.

2. What are the key elements of this regulation?

Class I facilities are defined and requirements are set out for licence applications, personnel certification and record keeping. This regulation also sets out the time periods within which the Commission shall review an application for a licence to prepare a site and render a decision.

3. How does this regulation affect Canadian businesses?

Businesses that operate Class I nuclear facilities must meet the requirements set out in this regulation.

4. What is the timeline for implementation?

The CNSC is committed to reviewing its regulations on a regular basis. More information is available in the CNSC’s Regulatory Framework Plan and the CNSC’s Forward Regulatory Plan

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Class II Nuclear Facilities and Prescribed Equipment Regulations

1. What is the purpose of this regulation?

This regulation sets out requirements for Class II nuclear facilities and prescribed equipment. A Class II facility is one that houses prescribed equipment such as certain types of irradiators, teletherapy machines, brachytherapy machines and particle accelerators.

2. What are the key elements of this regulation?

Class II facilities and prescribed equipment are defined and requirements are set out for licence applications, equipment certification, radiation protection and record-keeping.

3. How does this regulation affect Canadian businesses?

Businesses that operate Class II nuclear facilities or use prescribed equipment must meet the requirements set out in this regulation.

4. What is the timeline for implementation?

The CNSC is committed to reviewing its regulations on a regular basis. More information is available in the CNSC’s Regulatory Framework Plan and the CNSC’s Forward Regulatory Plan

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Uranium Mine and Mills Regulations

1. What is the purpose of this regulation?

This regulation sets out the requirements for site preparation, construction, operation, decommissioning, and abandonment of uranium mines and mills.

2. What are the key elements of this regulation?

Requirements for licence applications, record keeping, and other licensee obligations, such as codes of practice, operating procedures and ventilation systems, are prescribed. This regulation also sets out the time periods within which the Commission shall review an application for a licence to prepare site and construct and render a decision.

3. How does this regulation affect Canadian businesses?

Businesses involved in uranium mining or milling must meet the requirements set out in this regulation.

4. What is the timeline for implementation?

The CNSC is committed to reviewing its regulations on a regular basis. More information is available in the CNSC’s Regulatory Framework Plan and the CNSC’s Forward Regulatory Plan

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Nuclear Substances and Radiation Devices Regulations

1. What is the purpose of this regulation?

This regulation sets out requirements related to nuclear substances and radiation devices. Examples of regulated activities include the manufacturing of nuclear substances and radiation devices, industrial radiography, and x-ray fluorescence metal detection.

2. What are the key elements of this regulation?

Requirements for licensing and certification of nuclear substances and radiation devices, use of radiation devices, and record keeping are prescribed.

3. How does this regulation affect Canadian businesses?

Canadian businesses that use nuclear substance or radiation devices must meet the requirements set out in this regulation.

4. What is the timeline for implementation?

The CNSC is committed to reviewing its regulations on a regular basis. More information is available in the CNSC’s Regulatory Framework Plan and the CNSC’s Forward Regulatory Plan

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Packaging and Transport of Nuclear Substances Regulations, 2015

1. What is the purpose of this regulation?

This regulation sets out the requirements for the safe packaging and transport of nuclear substances in Canada, including the design, production, maintenance and repair of packages and the preparation, consigning, loading and storage during transport.

2. What are the key elements of this regulation?

The Packaging and Transport of Nuclear Substances Regulations, 2015 align with the latest edition of the Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material established by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Requirements are prescribed for licence applications to transport nuclear substances, packaging and transport of radioactive material, record keeping, certification of packages, special form of radioactive material, and low dispersible radioactive material.

The regulation repeals and replaces the previous Packaging and Transport of Nuclear Substances Regulations.

3. How does this regulation affect Canadian businesses?

Any person that transports nuclear substances must meet the requirements set out in this regulation.

4. What is the timeline for implementation?

The Packaging and Transport of Nuclear Substances Regulations, 2015 came into force on July 1, 2015. The CNSC is committed to reviewing its regulations on a regular basis. More information is available in the CNSC’s Regulatory Framework Plan and the CNSC’s Forward Regulatory Plan

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Nuclear Security Regulations

1. What is the purpose of this regulation?

This regulation sets out the physical protection measures licensees must use to address security issues. It also sets out requirements for secure use of Category I, Category II, and Category III nuclear material.

2. What are the key elements of this regulation?

Part I defines security-related information requirements and general obligations for applications. It also includes information about security requirements for high-security sites. Part II provides security-related requirements for licensing and operation of lower-risk facilities.

3. How does this regulation affect Canadian businesses?

These regulations apply to any business that uses Category I, II, or III nuclear material or that operates a high-security site.

4. What is the timeline for implementation?

The CNSC is committed to reviewing its regulations on a regular basis. More information is available in the CNSC’s Regulatory Framework Plan and the CNSC’s Forward Regulatory Plan

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Nuclear Non-proliferation Import and Export Control Regulations

1. What is the purpose of this regulation?

This regulation requires Canadian importers and exporters to obtain and comply with licences controlling the international transfer of nuclear and nuclear-related dual-use items.

2. What are the key elements of this regulation?

Requirements are set out for import and export licence applications for controlled nuclear substances, equipment and information, as well as nuclear-related dual use items. Items that require a licence are described in schedules.

3. How does this regulation affect Canadian businesses?

Businesses seeking to import or export nuclear materials or dual-use items are subject to this regulation.

4. What is the timeline for implementation?

The CNSC is committed to reviewing its regulations on a regular basis. More information is available in the CNSC’s Regulatory Framework Plan and the CNSC’s Forward Regulatory Plan

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Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Cost Recovery Fees Regulations

1. What is the purpose of this regulation?

This regulation sets out how the CNSC’s cost recovery fees are calculated and applied.

2. What are the key elements of this regulation?

This regulation prescribes the formulas for calculation of the CNSC’s cost recovery fees, timing of invoicing and payments, and the types of organizations that are not subject to cost recovery.

3. How does this regulation affect Canadian businesses?

CNSC-regulated businesses are subject to this regulation.

4. What is the timeline for implementation?

The CNSC is committed to reviewing its regulations on a regular basis. More information is available in the CNSC’s Regulatory Framework Plan and the CNSC’s Forward Regulatory Plan

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Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Rules of Procedure

1. What is the purpose of this regulation?

This regulation sets out the procedures for the Commission’s decision-making.

2. What are the key elements of this regulation?

Procedures for public hearings, opportunities to be heard, licence appeals, and orders are prescribed by this regulation.

3. How does this regulation affect Canadian businesses?

Businesses that wish to understand procedures for Commission decision-making can find information in this regulation about how and when they must file documentation.

4. What is the timeline for implementation?

The CNSC is committed to reviewing its regulations on a regular basis. More information is available in the CNSC’s Regulatory Framework Plan and the CNSC’s Forward Regulatory Plan

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Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission By-laws

1. What is the purpose of this regulation?

This regulation contains the by-laws that apply to the management and conduct of the Commission, and complements the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Rules of Procedure.

2. What are the key elements of this regulation?

Requirements are set out for Commission meetings and decisions, the responsibilities of the Secretary, and quorum.

3. How does this regulation affect Canadian businesses?

Businesses are not directly affected by this regulation. However, information can be found regarding how Commission meetings are held.

4. What is the timeline for implementation?

The CNSC is committed to reviewing its regulations on a regular basis. More information is available in the CNSC’s Regulatory Framework Plan and the CNSC’s Forward Regulatory Plan

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For more information

To learn about upcoming or ongoing consultations on proposed federal regulations, visit the Canada Gazette and Consulting with Canadians websites.

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Date modified:: 2023-02-02