Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection: November 2022
Aim of inspection
ONR performed a nuclear material accountancy compliance inspection, considering the arrangements for the NMACS and their implementation at the Low Level Waste Repository (LLWR), to judge if they comply with NSR19.
The purpose of an accountancy compliance inspection is to provide assurance to ONR that the operator’s accountancy arrangements are appropriate and proportionate for the qualifying nuclear facility and that they are adequately implemented for nuclear material accountancy and control of QNM. This includes maintaining adequate operating records and accounting records, which are traceable to the accounting reports provided to the ONR and are underpinned by suitable accountancy arrangements. The purpose of this inspection was to gain evidence and enable ONR inspectors to make judgements on Low Level Waste Repository (LLWR)'s compliance with NSR19
Subject(s) of inspection
- FSE 7 Nuclear Material Tracking - Rating: Green
- FSE 8 Data Processing and Control - Rating: Green
- FSE 8 Data Processing and Control - Rating: Green
- FSE 9 Material Balance - Rating: Green
- NSR19 Reg06 - Accountancy and control of qualifying nuclear material - Rating: Green
- NSR19 Reg09 - Operation of an accountancy and control plan - Rating: Green
- NSR19 Reg10 - Operating records - Rating: Green
- NSR19 Reg11 - Accounting records - Rating: Green
- NSR19 Reg15 - Material balance report and physical inventory listing - Rating: Green
- NSR19 Reg29 - Stock list and accounting records for conditioned and retained waste - Rating: Green
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
I carried out an accountancy compliance inspection at the Low Level Waste Repository, LLWR, material balance area (MBA) QDRG. During the inspection I sought to gain assurance of the adequacy of Low Level Waste Repository, LLWR system for nuclear material accountancy and control.
This inspection comprised of a review of Low Level Waste Repository, LLWR procedures and local rules, a plant walkdown and discussions with staff key to maintaining Nuclear Material Accountancy Control and Safeguards (NMACS) at Low Level Waste Repository, LLWR (QDRG). I reviewed evidence in support of the implementation of these arrangements in the form of relevant source documentation, operating and accounting records.
No significant shortfalls were identified during this intervention and Low Level Waste Repository, LLWR remain in compliance against NSR19.
Conclusion
Based on the sample inspected of Low Level Waste Repository, LLWR arrangements, including operating records and accounting records, I judge Low Level Waste Repository, LLWR are compliant with NSR19 regulations 6, 9, 10, 11, 15, 29 and Schedule 2 and that Low Level Waste Repository, LLWR are adequately implementing suitable arrangements for nuclear material accountancy and control of Qualifying Nuclear Material (QNM) at QDRG.
Upon consideration of the ONR guidance on inspection ratings, I judge that a rating of green (no formal action) is appropriate. One regulatory issue has been raised to monitor the progress of regulatory advice given regarding the updating of arrangement documents.