Sustained security improvements recognised at Sellafield
ONR returns the Cumbrian site to routine regulatory attention for physical security
Welcome to the Office for Nuclear Regulation
We are the UK’s independent nuclear regulator for safety, security and safeguards. Our mission is to protect society by securing safe nuclear operations.
Latest news
Delving into regulation of nuclear industry AI at World Government Summit
Mark Foy: “Readiness is essential for regulators and ONR is working hard to ensure it is in the vanguard and prepared, recognising the potential safety and security benefits that AI will provide.”
Last Energy enters ONR's nuclear site licensing process
The American micro-nuclear technology developer has been participating in ONR's early regulatory engagement framework since May.
ONR welcomes new government independent taskforce on nuclear regulation
'Nuclear safety and the protection of workers and the public will always be our priority, but we are committed to regulating in a way that supports cost-effective, efficient nuclear deployment.'
Sites and facilities we regulate
We deliver five statutory purposes to ensure safe nuclear operations now and in the long term.
We have the legal authority to regulate nuclear safety, nuclear security and conventional health and safety at the 35 licensed nuclear sites in Great Britain. This includes the existing fleet of operating reactors, fuel cycle facilities, waste management and decommissioning sites, as well as licensed and, in part, authorised defence sites, together with the regulation of the design and construction of new nuclear facilities, including the supply chain.
Working for ONR
Discover more about our roles
Our work calls for a high level of expertise and a wide range of disciplines
All the technical skills found in any engineering based industry can be found in ONR, as well as reactor physics, radiological protection and a number of specialised areas. We are also supported by a corporate centre comprising of administrative public servants who are vital to the effective operations of ONR.
Our inspection records
Inspection records are written by our inspectors following visits to the sites and facilities that we regulate
They are used to record findings and, if appropriate, any significant actions we require the site operator to carry out in order to improve matters. Publishing executive summaries of these reports is one part of our aim to be open and transparent by helping all of our stakeholders, including the public, understand our work.
Our regulatory guidance
Looking for Technical Assessment or Inspection Guides?
TIGs/TAGs
We are committed to providing up to date, open and transparent content relating to our current internal instructions and guidance used to carry out our core operational work.
Generic Design Assessment (GDA)
Joint regulators
Alongside the Environment Agency, ONR developed the voluntary Generic Design Assessment process in response to a request from the Government following its 2006 Energy Review. We will not issue permits for new nuclear power stations unless a design and its potential operators meet the high safety, security, safeguards and environmental standards that we require.