Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection: January 2024
Aim of inspection
In accordance with the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) Safeguards inspection and assessment plan 2023/24 for Sellafield Ltd., ONR Safeguards carries out safeguard’s compliance inspections at the Sellafield site.
The purpose of this compliance inspection is to provide confidence and assurance to ONR, that the operator is complying with the Nuclear Safeguards (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (NSR19). Evidence is provided in the production and provision of adequate operating and accounting records, which are traceable to the accountancy declarations and the retained waste stock list. The records should be underpinned by suitably implemented accountancy arrangements as described in their Accountancy and Control Plan (ACP).
Subject(s) of inspection
- FSE 10 Quality Assurance and Control for NMACS - Rating: Green
- FSE 3 Competence Management - Rating: Green
- FSE 4 Reporting, Anomalies, and Investigations - Rating: Green
- FSE 6 Measurement Programme and Control - Rating: Green
- FSE 8 Data Processing and Control - Rating: Green
- NSR19 Reg06 - Accountancy and control of qualifying nuclear material - Rating: Green
- NSR19 Reg10 - Operating records - Rating: Green
- NSR19 Reg11 - Accounting records - Rating: Green
- NSR19 Reg12 - Accounting reports - Rating: Green
- NSR19 Reg14 - Inventory change report - Rating: Green
- NSR19 Reg29 - Stock list and accounting records for conditioned and retained waste - Rating: Green
- NSR19 Reg30 - Transfers of conditioned waste - Rating: Green
- Overall Inspection Rating - Rating: Green
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
This planned Safeguards accountancy focussed inspection was conducted on 30 and 31 January 2024. I have sampled the following facilities within the High Level Waste Plants material balance area (MBA) QS14 (wastes and discards): -
On the basis of evidence sampled. I am satisfied that SL has presented adequate operating and accounting records. The documentation is traceable to, and underpins the declarations within the accountancy reports, submitted to ONR, under Regulation 14 of NSR19. I am also satisfied that the retained waste stock list for material within the targeted areas is adequate, in accordance with Regulation 29(1)(a) of NSR19.
I provided one piece of regulatory advice regarding documentation and one observation pertaining to losing granularity in batch-following of qualifying nuclear material (QNM) in retained waste.
I did not observe any security or safety concerns.
- QS14.17 – High Active Waste Plants
- QS14.18 – Vitrified Product Store (VPS) and associated facilities; and
- QS14.23 – Vitrified Residue Return (VRR) Flask Marshalling and Storage Facility
On the basis of evidence sampled. I am satisfied that SL has presented adequate operating and accounting records. The documentation is traceable to, and underpins the declarations within the accountancy reports, submitted to ONR, under Regulation 14 of NSR19. I am also satisfied that the retained waste stock list for material within the targeted areas is adequate, in accordance with Regulation 29(1)(a) of NSR19.
I provided one piece of regulatory advice regarding documentation and one observation pertaining to losing granularity in batch-following of qualifying nuclear material (QNM) in retained waste.
I did not observe any security or safety concerns.
Conclusion
Based on my inspection sample, I was satisfied that Sellafield Ltd has provided an adequate level of assurance and evidence to demonstrate compliance with Regulations 6 (1-4), 9, 10 (1), 11 (1-4), 12 (1-2), 14, 29, 30 and FSEs 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 and10.
I judge that a rating of green (no formal action) is appropriate.
I judge that a rating of green (no formal action) is appropriate.