UK Office for Nuclear Regulation Publishes New Safeguards Guidance

The UK Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) published updated guidance on 10 August to help nuclear facility operators meet new requirements under the Nuclear Safeguards (EU Exit and Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2026. The amending regulations, which came into force in July this year, are regarded as a significant adjustment to the UK's nuclear safeguards regime.

Safeguards measures are primarily used to verify whether a state complies with its international obligations, ensuring that nuclear materials in civil nuclear programmes are not diverted to non-peaceful purposes. The amendment modernises safeguards reporting requirements, with operators transitioning from the previous basic technical characteristics reports to the IAEA standardized design information questionnaire.

The new regulations also introduce new reporting requirements for facilities following modifications and alterations, and update the relevant reporting timeframes. Beyond operational changes, the amending regulations further clarify ONR's enforcement powers, enabling it to more effectively implement, amend, or revoke specific safeguards provisions, while also clarifying powers related to regulatory cost recovery.

The guidance documents updated by ONR include the safeguards inspection guidance, safeguards technical assessment guidance, nuclear material accounting technical assessment guidance, and the principles for the assessment of nuclear material accounting, control, and safeguards.

Alan Homer, Head of Nuclear Safeguards at ONR, stated that the ONR will continue to work closely with operators and the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to ensure a smooth transition of the relevant requirements into the implementation phase.