Memorandum of Cooperation on Advanced Reactor and Small Modular Reactor Technologies Between the President of the National Atomic Energy Agency of the Republic of Poland and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission

WHEREAS, the President of the National Atomic Energy Agency of the Republic of Poland and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, both hereinafter referred to as the Participants, have a mutual interest in exchanging information pertaining to advanced and small modular reactor technologies;

WHEREAS, the Participants are already engaged in general cooperation in nuclear safety matters under the Memorandum of Understanding for the Cooperation and Exchange of Information in Nuclear Regulatory Matters Between the President of the National Atomic Energy Agency of the Republic of Poland and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, signed at Vienna on 24 September 2014, hereinafter referred to as the Memorandum of Understanding;

THEREFORE, the Participants intend this Memorandum of Cooperation to further expand their cooperation under the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding on activities associated with advanced and small modular reactor technologies (current and new cooperation). Accordingly, the Participants intend to cooperate under this Memorandum of Cooperation to further strengthen the Participants’ commitment to share best practices and experience in reviewing advanced and small modular reactor technologies. This cooperation may expand to facilitate a joint technical review of advanced and small modular reactor designs, including the BWRX-300. This may include, among other related matters, cooperation in the following areas:

1. Development of shared technical review approaches for advanced and small modular reactor technologies that facilitate resolution of common technical questions to enable regulatory reviews that address each Participant’s national regulations;
2. Collaboration on pre-application activities to ensure mutual preparedness to efficiently review advanced and small modular reactor designs, including sharing independent regulatory review results;
3. Collaboration on research, training, and the development of regulatory approaches to address unique and novel technical considerations for ensuring the safety of advanced and small modular reactor technologies.

Cooperation between the Participants under this Memorandum of Cooperation is intended to supplement and strengthen the existing cooperation between the Participants under the Memorandum of Understanding, which the Participants intend to continue.

The information transmitted by either Participant under this Memorandum of Cooperation must not include information on advanced and small modular reactor designs that cannot be shared owing to the application of law.

Administrative Matters

• This Memorandum of Cooperation may be modified by the mutual written consent of both Participants.
• This Memorandum of Cooperation becomes effective upon signature by both Participants and remains effective until either Participant provides written notice to the other Participant of its intent to cease cooperation under this Memorandum of Cooperation. A Participant is expected to provide at least 180 days of advance written notice to the other of its intent to cease cooperation under this Memorandum of Cooperation.
• All information protected under this Memorandum of Cooperation is expected to continue to be protected consistent with the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding after this Memorandum of Cooperation has expired or cooperation under it has ceased, unless the Participants jointly determine otherwise in writing.
• This Memorandum of Cooperation does not constitute an international treaty and does not create rights and obligations governed by international law. This Memorandum of Cooperation does not affect any agreements that grant rights or impose obligations on the President of the National Atomic Energy Agency of the Republic of Poland and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.

Signed at Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on February 13, 2023, in duplicate in the English, French, and Polish languages, each text being equally authentic.

For the President of the National Atomic Energy Agency of the Republic of Poland: Andrzej Głowacki Vice-President and acting President

For the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission: Rumina Velshi President