The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) is pleased to announce that it has returned Sellafield Ltd to routine regulatory attention for physical security.
ONR has determined that physical security measures no longer require enhanced regulatory oversight and Sellafield Ltd can return to a routine attention level.
Over the last two years, ONR has carried out a regular programme of inspections and interventions at Sellafield, assessing evidence provided by the licensee's security and resilience team.
This identified a period of sustained improved performance in the area of physical security, and ONR is satisfied that the required security outcomes are now being achieved.
Also noted was the close recent working relationship between ONR inspectors and Sellafield Ltd staff and the transparent acknowledgement of the changes required which has been pivotal in the strides made forward during the last 12 months.
ONR will monitor progress on the site during 2025 to gain assurance that further improvements remain on schedule.
Sellafield Ltd is the largest and most complex nuclear facility in the UK and ensuring that security arrangements are appropriate is a priority for ONR.
Reducing the hazard and risk on the Sellafield site safely and securely is both a major national and ONR priority.
Paul Dicks, ONR's Director of Regulation for Sellafield, Decommissioning Fuel and Waste, said: "We have worked closely with Sellafield Ltd through our enabling approach to ensure that the required improvements are delivered.
“I’m satisfied that Sellafield Ltd has demonstrated significant and sustained security improvements which has allowed us to return them to routine regulatory attention.”
Regulatory attention levels are set by ONR and are assigned based on the regulator's assessment of overall performance, considering a broad range of safety and security considerations and operational issues that a site is addressing.
It also reflects an overall judgement across ONR's nuclear safety, nuclear site health and safety, civil nuclear security and transport purposes.
ONR has more than 50 inspectors regulating Sellafield, which means it can hold the licensee to account, track progress and ensure that agreed milestones are met.
This specific regulatory attention level decision applies only to physical security.
Our physical security specialist inspectors conduct regular inspections to ensure licensed sites have effective arrangements in place against theft and sabotage of nuclear materials.
Sellafield Ltd currently remains in significantly enhanced attention for cyber security and collaborative work is ongoing to achieve the required improvements in this area.