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Small Modular Reactor Readiness – 4 pillars

The Small Modular Reactor Readiness project is designed to optimize our readiness to license and regulate SMRs.
The Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Readiness project is based on the following 4 pillars:

Data and resources

The lists below detail each element of the pillars, describing the objective, the outcomes and the status.
A comprehensive reprioritization review was completed in 2024 for the SMR Readiness project. The review resulted in some objectives being removed from the scope of the project. The lists of objectives below reflect these changes.

Regulatory predictability and clarity (REP)

REP.1 – Process to manage long lead items

  • Description: Develop guidance documenting the CNSC’s expectations for the management of long lead items (LLIs) in order to clearly communicate the process proponents must follow when seeking regulatory feedback on LLIs. An LLI refers to any item with long lead-time deliverables, although the procurement could happen while the design and safety assessments are still in development.            
  • Outcomes: A work instruction was developed that provides clear instructions to CNSC staff when reviewing LLIs and provides guidance to proponents when considering LLIs. The document supports LLI management by providing step-by-step guidance on assessing submissions for LLIs. The work instruction will also provide information for future CNSC compliance activities to confirm that items were manufactured/fabricated according to specifications and that they meet regulatory requirements. A copy of the work instruction can be made available upon request.
  • Status: Complete

REP.2 – Licence-to-construct work instructions

  • Description: Review, revise and/or update the licence-to-construct work instructions, where necessary, to reflect a technology-neutral approach to licensing.
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: In progress

REP.3 – Licence to prepare site compliance program

  • Description: Revise, review and document the licence to prepare site compliance program to ensure technology neutrality and readiness with respect to SMR oversight.
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: In progress

REP.4 – Graded approach implementation

  • Description: Develop internal guidance and/or a process for CNSC staff to use when applying the graded approach to licensing reviews.
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: In progress

REP.5 – Licence-to-construct compliance program

  • Description: Review, revise and document the licence-to-construct compliance program.
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: In progress

REP.7 – Licence-to-operate work instructions

  • Description: Review, revise and/or update the licence-to-operate work instructions, where necessary, to reflect a technology-neutral approach to licensing.
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: Planned

REP.8 – Liability limit support for Natural Resources Canada

  • Description: As a subject-matter expert, support Natural Resources Canada in revisiting the Nuclear Liability and Compensation Regulations in the context of SMRs.
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: In progress

REP.9 – Technical assessment reference matrix for licence to construct

  • Description: Update the licence-to-construct technical assessment reference matrix to reflect a technology-neutral approach.
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: In progress

REP.10 – Fuel waste for SMRs

  • Description: Develop the CNSC’s position on the waste handling of fuels used in novel SMR designs. This will ensure that proponents understand the CNSC’s position and what they need to do to demonstrate safe handling and storage of spent fuel.
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: Planned

REP.11 – Transportable reactors

  • Description: Develop the CNSC’s position on the licensability of transportable reactors. This includes a review of the current regulatory framework to determine whether any updates are required, and a review of the regulatory documents to ensure that CNSC requirements and guidance are clear for proponents.
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: Planned

REP.12 – Fusion coordination initiative

  • Description: Develop a proposal for a fusion technology licensing and compliance oversight strategy to be implemented at the CNSC for both Class I and Class II facilities.
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: In progress

REP.13 –Strategic review of the CNSC's regulatory framework of regulations and regulatory documents

  • Description: Undertake a strategic review of the CNSC's regulatory framework of regulations and regulatory documents to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement to ensure clarity of requirements for SMRs, and then develop a plan for implementing the improvements.
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: In progress

REP.14 – Import/export considerations

  • Description: Assess whether the optimization and modernization of current Canadian policies, nuclear cooperation agreements and administrative arrangements for the import/export of significant nuclear items, including technology, is warranted. Based on that assessment, determine the best medium for documenting any required guidance and instruments.
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: Planned

REP.15 – Current update to the Nuclear Security Regulations

  • Description: Support the update of the Nuclear Security Regulations.
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: In progress

REP.16 – Defence in depth

  • Description: Review existing requirements and guidance for proponents on the application of defence in depth (DiD) to determine whether and where further clarifications can be made. Assess CNSC technical staff's knowledge and understanding of, and experience with, the application of DiD.
  • Outcomes: Defence in Depth - Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca)
  • Status: In progress

REP.17 – Supply chain oversight

  • Description: Develop and assess recommendations for the introduction and implementation of CNSC supply chain oversight.
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: In progress

REP.18 – Licence-to-operate compliance plan

  • Description: Develop licence-to-operate compliance plan for advanced reactors.
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: Planned

Building capacity and capability (CAC)

CAC.1 – Approach to interpretation of requirements

  • Description: Assess and analyze the CNSC’s existing methods and processes for interpreting requirements for novel reactor designs. Determine whether modifications to existing or the development of new methods and processes is required.
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: In progress

CAC.2 – Fuel qualification of novel fuels

  • Description: Identify and assess any gaps in the regulatory expectations and guidance for the qualification of non-traditional fuels. Update or propose new regulatory documents to communicate requirements and guidance.
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: In progress

CAC.3 – Novel means of containment/confinement

  • Description: Develop and document the CNSC’s position on the application of novel means of containment/confinement.
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: In progress

CAC.4 – Novel means of shutdown

  • Description: Develop and document the CNSC’s position on the application of novel means of shutdown.
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: On hold

CAC.5 – Emergency planning zone for small modular and micro reactors

  • Description: Review and document whether the existing emergency planning zone (EPZ) process can be improved for SMRs and micro reactors, benchmark other regulators’ processes, identify whether improvements can be made in the EPZ determination process for SMRs, and document the CNSC’s position on its process to support the determination of the EPZ for SMRs and micro reactors.
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: In progress

CAC.6 – Cyber security requirements

  • Description: Develop and document the CNSC’s regulatory position on how any potential cyber security challenges posed by novel technologies could be effectively mitigated. 
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: In progress

CAC.7 – Computer codes for safety analysis

  • Description: Identify potential computer codes that will be used in analyzing the containment behaviour and severe accident progression of SMR designs, and gain in‑depth knowledge about the applicability of those codes and their limitations.
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: In progress

CAC.8 – Safeguards for small modular and remote reactors

  • Description: Develop and document the CNSC’s review of safeguards requirements for SMRs in accordance with Canada’s safeguards agreements with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This will include identifying whether any changes to existing safeguards requirements are warranted based on SMR designs, and the impact on safeguards requirements for a fleet approach of remotely based SMRs.
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: Planned

CAC.9 – Chemistry control for novel technologies

  • Description: Develop and document the CNSC’s chemistry control requirements for non‑CANDU SMR designs.
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: In progress

CAC.10 – Novel digital instrumentation, control hardware, and software

  • Description: Perform an assessment to determine the existing regulatory gap for licensing and providing oversight of novel digital instrumentation, control hardware, and software. This includes assessing required changes to regulatory documents and/or industry standards.
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: In progress

CAC.11 – Site security provisions

  • Description: Assess whether optimization of site security provisions is required for SMRs. This includes the application of a graded approach for micro SMRs and remotely deployed units.
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: Planned

CAC.12 – Robustness requirements (civil structures)

  • Description: Review regulatory requirements for engineering in support of the safety/security case and aircraft crash loading, and determine whether further requirements, clarification and/or guidance is required.
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: In progress

CAC.13 – Novel construction materials for advanced reactor technologies

  • Description: Proactively learn about novel construction materials that may be used in upcoming SMR projects in Canada to ensure that the CNSC can provide appropriate oversight, as required.
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: In progress

CAC.14 – Readiness to assess novel construction techniques

  • Description: Proactively learn about novel construction techniques that may be used in upcoming SMR projects in Canada to ensure that the CNSC can provide appropriate oversight, as required.
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: In progress

CAC.15 – Nuclear island vs balance of the plant

  • Description: Develop and document the CNSC’s position on the separation of the nuclear island from the balance of the plant from a safety analysis perspective.
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: Planned

CAC.16 – Multi-unit risk assessment – modular

  • Description: Come up with a pragmatic approach to addressing the risk review of a multi‑module SMR, considering the differences and similarities when compared against a multi-unit nuclear power plant.
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: Planned

CAC.17 – Remote monitoring and operation

  • Description: Assess the remote monitoring and operation of SMRs and document the CNSC’s position.
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: Planned

CAC.18 – Artificial intelligence, machine learning, digital twins – in both operations and maintenance

  • Description: Develop and document the CNSC’s position on the use of artificial intelligence, machine learning and digital twins for the purposes of operations and maintenance.
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: Planned

CAC.20 – Deconstruction technologies

  • Description: Develop and document the CNSC’s position on deconstruction technologies for SMRs.
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: Planned

CAC.21 – Marine-based SMRs

  • Description: Develop and document the CNSC’s position on the licensing of marine‑based SMRs and transportable nuclear power plants.
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: Planned

CAC.22 – Utility/factory/transporter relationship and interconnections – “intelligent customer” roles

  • Description: Develop and document an internal CNSC mechanism for the management of factory SMR modules. This includes addressing the challenges and regulatory activities regarding the design, fabrication, procurement, applicant oversight, testing, commissioning, completion assurance and inspection of the fabricated modules by licence applicants and the suppliers.
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: In progress

CAC.23 – Research and development work

  • Description: Develop, document, schedule and provide oversight of SMR research initiatives (e.g., CNSC-NSERC SMR Research Grant) geared towards SMR readiness.
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: In progress

CAC.24 – Knowledge management process / systematic documentation of lessons learned

  • Description: Develop and document an optimized mechanism for retaining the knowledge gained through the first CNSC SMR licensing review, such that the lessons learned can be leveraged in future reviews.
  • Outcomes: A clear and defined process was defined for managing knowledge throughout the licensing process to ensure that experience and lessons learned from one licensing project are carried over into the next.
  • Status: Complete

CAC.25 – Regulatory Operations Branch / Technical Support Branch staff training – Regulatory Officer Training Program

  • Description: Develop and implement the Regulatory Officer Training Program.
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: In progress

CAC.26 – Integrated resource strategy

  • Description: Establish an integrated resourcing approach to obtain the required expertise to perform licensing reviews of SMR licence applications.
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: In progress

CAC.27 – General training plan for staff

  • Description: Develop a general training plan for CNSC staff on the topic of SMRs and SMR licensing. This plan will systematically ensure that CNSC staff receive the right training at the right time to support SMR-related activities.
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: In progress

CAC.28 – Simulation tools for the BWRX-300

  • Description: Develop independent simulation tools for boiling-water reactor technologies.
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: In progress

Supporting policy and coordinating shared responsibility (POL)

POL.1 – Framework/process to address fleet approach

  • Description: Develop and document the CNSC’s position on the licensing and oversight of a fleet of SMRs.
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: In progress

POL.2 – SMR impact on environmental reviews

  • Description: Develop and document any impacts, efficiency gains or challenges with a fleet approach to SMRs in environmental reviews.
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: In progress

POL.3 – Policy on Canadian enrichment (in partnership with others)

  • Description: Review the CNSC’s current regulatory requirements and guidance for the enrichment of nuclear fuels, the management of the products and byproducts, and the use of associated technologies in compliance with Canada’s international commitments.
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: In progress

POL.4 – Fuel reprocessing and recycling (in partnership with other federal partners)

  • Description: Review the CNSC’s current requirements and guidance for fuel reprocessing and recycling. Document requirements and/or guidance to support proponents pursuing fuel reprocessing and recycling.
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: In progress

POL.5 – Policy for SMR production of hydrogen

  • Description: In collaboration with federal partners, support the development of policies on SMR-based hydrogen production. Determine the CNSC’s current position on the use of nuclear technologies to produce hydrogen. Determine whether an alternative licensing and compliance approach is required for a hydrogen plant connected to a nuclear facility.
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: Planned

POL.6 – Domestic partnerships

  • Description: Ensure that the CNSC’s SMR-related efforts with Canadian intergovernmental counterparts are coordinated, that roles and responsibilities are clear, and that the CNSC provides relevant technical and/or regulatory advice to policy makers, as appropriate.
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: In progress

International collaboration (INC)

INC.1 – Process to leverage other regulators’ work

  • Description: Develop and implement a process to leverage regulatory reviews by other organizations.
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: In progress

INC.2 – Process for the centralization of international work

  • Description: Develop and implement a process to consolidate and coordinate international SMR-related work across the CNSC. The intent is to achieve alignment between readiness work and international initiatives, ensuring a consolidated approach.
  • Outcomes: An accessible, transparent location to consolidate SMR‑related international work underway at the CNSC and provide access to the related documentation has been developed.
  • Status: Complete

INC.10 – Process for planning and preparing for international visits on the topic of small modular/advanced reactor licensing and construction

  • Description: Develop an internal process to prepare for and receive international regulators.
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: In progress

INC.12 – Collaboration on Nuclear Harmonization and Standardization Initiative (NHSI) activities

  • Description: Provide CNSC support for the IAEA’s NHSI work groups.
  • Outcomes: --
  • Status: In progress

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