October 10, 2014, Ottawa, ON
Following a public Commission meeting held on August 21, 2014, the CNSC has published REGDOC-2.10.1, Nuclear Emergency Preparedness and Response and REGDOC-2.3.2, Accident Management.
REGDOC-2.10.1, Nuclear Emergency Preparedness and Response sets out the CNSC's requirements and guidance related to the development of emergency preparedness programs for Class I nuclear facilities and uranium mines and mills. These programs are based on four components: planning basis, response plan and procedures, preparedness, and program management. These components are considered in the development of plans to prevent or mitigate the effects of accidental releases from a Class I nuclear facility or a uranium mine or mill. Of particular public interest is the requirement to pre-distribute potassium iodide (KI) pills in cooperation with all government authorities.
REGDOC-2.3.2, Accident Management sets out the CNSC's requirements for the development, implementation and validation of integrated accident management programs for reactor facilities, and provides guidance on how these requirements should be met. The document assists licensees with implementing and maintaining operational procedures, guidelines and adequate capabilities to deal with abnormal situations and accidents, including severe accidents.The document is consistent with the CNSC's international collaboration on lessons learned from the Fukushima accident.
These regulatory documents take into account extensive stakeholder input given during public consultations that took place from August to October 2013 and from April to July 2014, as well as final comments received at the Commission meeting in August 2014.
The CNSC regulates the use of nuclear energy and materials to protect the health, safety and security of Canadians and the environment; to implement Canada's international commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy; and to disseminate objective scientific, technical and regulatory information to the public.
"Since the Fukushima accident, the CNSC has updated its requirements to further enhance nuclear safety and ensure that licensees and Canadians are thoroughly prepared to respond to any scenario. The pre-distribution of KI pills are just one of the many requirements established to protect people in the event of a nuclear emergency, no matter how improbable."
Dr. Michael Binder, President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
Aurèle Gervais
Media and Community Relations
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
613-996-6860
1-800-668-5284
mediarelations@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca
