There are altogether 36 standard Licence Conditions that are normally attached to a site licence. The decommissioning operation is regarded as a continuation of the operational phase — the same site licence and all licence conditions remain valid. However, certain conditions are particularly relevant to decommissioning:
| Licence Condition | Title | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| LC14 | Safety documentation | Requires the licensee to produce safety-related documentation comprising safety cases to justify safety during design, construction, manufacture, commissioning, operation and decommissioning |
| LC15 | Periodic review | Requires the licensee to carry out review of the safety case at regular intervals, comparing against modern standards to identify reasonably practicable improvements |
| LC25 | Operational records | Ensures adequate records are kept regarding operations, inspection and maintenance, including the amount and location of all radioactive material on site |
| LC26 | Control and supervision of operations | Requires that all safety-related operations are carried out under the control and supervision of Suitably Qualified and Experienced Personnel (SQEP) |
| LC32 | Accumulation of radioactive waste | Requires adequate arrangements to ensure that the production and accumulation of radioactive waste on site is minimised, stored under suitable conditions and records are kept |
| LC33 | Disposal of radioactive waste | Gives discretionary powers to ONR to direct the licensee to dispose of radioactive waste in a specified manner, exercised in conjunction with the appropriate environmental agency |
| LC34 | Leakage/escape of radioactive material | Requires the licensee to ensure radioactive material is adequately controlled and contained to prevent leaks or escapes, and that any faults or accidents are detected, recorded and reported |
| LC35 | Decommissioning | Requires the licensee to have adequate arrangements for safe decommissioning; gives ONR power to direct the licensee to commence decommissioning and to halt any decommissioning activity if there are safety concerns |
| LC36 | Control of organisational change | Requires adequate arrangements to control any changes to organisational structure or resources which could affect safety, including assessment of safety implications |
Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations 1999 (EIA 99)
The EIA 99 regulations came into being as a result of EC Council Directive 97/11/EC, requiring the licensee to produce an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for submission to HSE. The EIA identifies, describes and assesses the direct and indirect effects of the proposed decommissioning project on:
- Human beings, flora and fauna
- Soil, water, air, climate and the landscape
- Material assets and the cultural heritage
- The interaction between these factors
The licensee produces an Environmental Statement (ES) which is submitted to the HSE for consent, following consultation with local planning authorities, highway authorities, environment agencies and the public.