Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection: October 2023
Aim of inspection
ONR nuclear safeguards inspectors conducted a Physical Inventory Take evaluation (PITe) inspection of Magnox Reprocessing Fuel Operations (QS03), Finishing Line 5 (FL5) Plutonium Nitrate Conversion Plant (QS25) from 10 - 11 of October 2023. The purpose of this inspection was to seek evidence in support of Sellafield Ltd.’s compliance with The Nuclear Safeguards (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (NSR19).
ONR formed regulatory judgements and provide a rating in line with ONR’s inspection rating guidance of Sellafield Ltd.’s compliance against Regulations 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15 and Schedule 2 in NSR19.
In forming effective regulatory judgements on Sellafield Ltd.’s compliance with the NSR19 regulations listed above, ONR considered the Fundamental Safeguards Expectations (FSEs) as detailed in the ONR Nuclear Material Accountancy, Control and Safeguards Assessment Principles (ONMACS) guidance. With a particular focus on:
- FSE 3 – Competence Management
- FSE 6 – Measurement Programme and Control
- FSE 7 – Nuclear Material Tracking
- FSE 8 – Data Processing and Control
- FSE 9 – Material Balance
Subject(s) of inspection
- 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 Reg12 - Accounting reports - Rating: GREEN
- NSR19 Reg15 - Material balance report and physical inventory listing - Rating: GREEN
- Overall Inspection Rating - Rating: GREEN
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
The inspection comprised of discussions with Sellafield personnel, sampling of documentation, review of implementation of arrangements and a plant walkdown.
A level 4 regulatory issue has been raised to address a shortfall in the integrity of spreadsheets used for generation of data for the physical inventory take.
Based on the inspection activities and evidence sampled I consider that Sellafield are implementing arrangements for the PIT in a manner which is proportionate to and appropriate for the qualifying nuclear facility in line with NSR19 Regulations 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15 and Schedule 2. I also judge that Sellafield are broadly meeting the expectations for Data Processing and Control detailed in FSE 8 and Material Balance in FSE 9 of ONMACS.
Conclusion
No matters requiring immediate regulatory attention were identified during this inspection.
Overall, on the basis of the evidence sampled at the time of the inspection, I am satisfied that Sellafield has demonstrated that it is appropriately implementing arrangements for undertaking a PIT at QS03 and QS25 in line with Regulations 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15 and Schedule 2 of NSR19. I also judge that Sellafield are broadly meeting the expectations for Data Processing and Control detailed in FSE 8 and Material Balance in FSE 9 of ONMACS.
I therefore consider, noting ONR guidance on inspection ratings, an inspection rating of GREEN (no formal enforcement) is appropriate.
Overall, on the basis of the evidence sampled at the time of the inspection, I am satisfied that Sellafield has demonstrated that it is appropriately implementing arrangements for undertaking a PIT at QS03 and QS25 in line with Regulations 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15 and Schedule 2 of NSR19. I also judge that Sellafield are broadly meeting the expectations for Data Processing and Control detailed in FSE 8 and Material Balance in FSE 9 of ONMACS.
I therefore consider, noting ONR guidance on inspection ratings, an inspection rating of GREEN (no formal enforcement) is appropriate.