Service standards
Service standards are established for service delivery so that individuals know what to expect and the CNSC’s performance can be measured and reported.
Service standards for specific application types are provided below.
High-volume regulatory authorizations for the CNSC
Timely service standards for high-volume regulatory authorizations clarify expectations and increase predictability in the federal regulatory system. They benefit the many Canadians, particularly businesses, who must seek permission from the federal government to either conduct a regulated activity or be exempt from it.
Definitions and additional information:
- Annual service performance is measured over the course of the fiscal year (April 1–March 31).
- TBD indicates that performance data is to be determined after the end of the fiscal year (March 31).
- Service standard calculation: If the CNSC requires the applicant to provide further information, the time taken by the applicant to comply with the requirement is not included in the time calculation of the service standard.
| Category | Service standard | Target | Actual performance 2019–20 | Actual performance 2020–21 | Actual performance 2021–22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licence application for nuclear substances and radiation devices | Conduct a technical assessment and issue a licensing decision within 80 business days of receipt of an application deemed complete by the CNSC | At least 80% of the time | 97% | 99% | 100% |
| Licence application for Class II nuclear facilities and prescribed equipment | Conduct a technical assessment and issue a licensing decision within 80 business days of receipt of an application deemed complete by the CNSC | At least 80% of the time | 90% | 86% | 93% |
| Exposure device operator (EDO) | Screen application and notify if application is not complete, within 10 business days | At least 90% of the time | 93% | 95% | 96% |
| Import or export licence | Process application and acknowledge receipt within 2 business days | At least 95% of the time | 92% | 95% | 98% |
| Make application decision within 30 business days of receipt of an application deemed complete by the CNSC | At least 80% of the time | 85% | 87% | 87% |
Fixed fees
In accordance with the CNSC’s Remission Policy, performance standards for the CNSC fixed fees that meet the application criteria outlined under the Service Fees Act are monitored and tracked for each fee payer on an individual basis. The CNSC must automatically remit, per the remission policy, a portion of the fee to the fee payers where service standards have not been met.
| Category | Service standard | Target | Actual performance 2019–20 | Actual performance 2020–21 | Actual performance 2021–22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transport licence | Issue a licensing decision within 20 business days of receipt of an application, deemed complete by the CNSC, for which a transportation security plan is not required or an approved transportation security plan is already in place and is applicable for the licence requested | At least 80% of the time | 88% | 90% | 100% |
| Issue a licensing decision within 45 business days of receipt of an application, deemed complete by the CNSC, for which a new transportation security plan is submitted | At least 80% of the time | Performance reporting to commence in 2021–22 | Performance reporting to commence in 2021–22 | 100% | |
| Transport package certificate | Issue a certification decision within 365 days of receipt of an application, deemed complete (fees and technical information) by the CNSC, for a new certificate not requiring structural finite element analysis | At least 80% of the time | Performance reporting to commence in 2021–22 | Performance reporting to commence in 2021–22 | 100% |
| Issue a certification decision within 550 days of receipt of an application, deemed complete (fees and technical information) by the CNSC, for a new certificate requiring structural finite element analysis | At least 80% of the time | Performance reporting to commence in 2021–22 | Performance reporting to commence in 2021–22 | No applications in 2021–22 | |
| Issue a certification decision within 180 days of receipt of an application, deemed complete (fees and technical information) by the CNSC, for prescribed equipment of similar design (amendment) | At least 80% of the time | Performance reporting to commence in 2021–22 | Performance reporting to commence in 2021–22 | 100% | |
| Issue a certification decision before the expiry date or within 90 days of receipt of an application, deemed complete (fees and technical information) by the CNSC, for prescribed equipment of identical design (renewal) | At least 80% of the time | Performance reporting to commence in 2021–22 | Performance reporting to commence in 2021–22 | 100% | |
| Radiation device and Class II prescribed equipment certificate | Issue a certification decision within 365 days of receipt of an application, deemed complete (fees and technical information) by the CNSC, for a new certificate | At least 80% of the time | Performance reporting to commence in 2021–22 | Performance reporting to commence in 2021–22 | 100% |
| Issue a certification decision within 180 days of receipt of an application, deemed complete (fees and technical information) by the CNSC, for prescribed equipment of similar design (amendment) | At least 80% of the time | Performance reporting to commence in 2021–22 | Performance reporting to commence in 2021–22 | 100% | |
| Issue a certification decision before the expiry date or within 90 days of receipt of an application, deemed complete (fees and technical information) by the CNSC, for prescribed equipment of identical design (renewal) | At least 80% of the time | Performance reporting to commence in 2021–22 | Performance reporting to commence in 2021–22 | 100% | |
| Exposure device operator (EDO) | Issue a certification decision within 60 days of receipt of an application, deemed complete (fees and technical information) by the CNSC, for initial certification as an EDO | At least 80% of the time | 98% | 98% | 100% |
Participant Funding Program
The CNSC has developed Participant Funding Program (PFP) service standards to publicly state when funding applicants can reasonably expect to receive notifications, decisions or payment. These external service standards for the PFP are published to demonstrate the CNSC's commitment to transparent management, accountability for results and citizen-focused service delivery.
| Category | Service standard | Target | Actual performance 2022–23 | Actual performance 2023–24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Participant Funding Program (PFP) |
You will receive notification from the PFP Administrator within 1 business day of receipt of your application |
90% | 97% | 100% |
|
You will be informed of the outcome of the funding decision within 45 business days of the application closing date or, if there is no closing date, following receipt of your application |
100% | 82%* | 100% | |
| Payment shall be made within 30 days of receipt of a valid final financial report (FFR) | 100% | 96%** | 100% |
* This year saw an unprecedented amount of funding being requested from the CNSC’s Participant Funding Program. Due to the complexity of the applications, the high amount of funding requested, and the capacity constraints of CNSC staff, a longer period was required to review some applications, resulting in delays beyond the 45-day business standard.
** Due to an issue in the financial system regarding recipient banking information, the CNSC was unable to fully meet its service standard in 2022–23.
Service feedback
To provide feedback on service standards, please contact the CNSC.
Applying for a CNSC licence or certificate
Licensing
- Nuclear substances and radiation devices
- Class II nuclear facilities and prescribed equipment
- Import and export controls
- Packaging and transport of nuclear substances
Certification
For additional information on licensing and certification requirements contact the CNSC.
Related links
- Government-Wide Forward Regulatory Plans
- Cabinet Directive on Regulatory Management
- Developing and improving federal regulations
- Canada-United States Regulatory Cooperation Council
- Participant Funding Program
To learn about upcoming or ongoing consultations on proposed federal regulations, visit the Canada Gazette.
Page details
- Date modified: