Nuclear licensing and regulation

Introduction

This is an overview of the key content to be found in our subtopic Nuclear licensing and regulation. It briefly explains the nature of this content and provides links to it.

For more information on other aspects of nuclear energy, see our subtopics:

  1. International Nuclear Agreements

  2. Nuclear decommissioning

  3. Nuclear liability

  4. New nuclear

  5. Nuclear projects

Nuclear energy licensing and regulation

Responsibilities for regulation of the UK civil nuclear industry are shared between several regulatory bodies, reflecting the distinction between the common duties owed by any generator of electricity and the additional duties arising from the unique attributes of nuclear energy generation. Nuclear-specific regulation has been significantly consolidated by the creation of the Office for Nuclear Regulation, replacing several bodies which had previously been responsible for regulating various different aspects of the nuclear industry. In addition, there are other government bodies which, while lacking general regulatory or supervisory powers, exercise specific facilitating and decision making functions and thereby have a significant role in the UK civil nuclear industry.

For more information, see the following:

  1. Practice Note: The National Security and Investment

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

Powered by Lexis+®
Latest Energy News

EA concludes consultation on radioactive waste disposal facilities guidance

The Environment Agency (EA), alongside with the Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), has concluded a consultation on updated guidance for regulating near-surface and geological disposal facilities for solid radioactive waste. The consultation, which ran from 12 November 2024 to 28 February 2025, invited stakeholders to comment on the draft Guidance on requirements for authorisation (GRA) for England, Wales and Northern Ireland and the Staged Regulation Guidance for England, with a separate Scottish consultation addressing near-surface disposal only. The updated guidance replaces the 2009 GRAs and 2012 supplements, providing concise, accessible requirements for environmental permitting, aligning with current UK government policy, international standards and regulatory experience, and clarifying the expectations for operators throughout the development, operation and closure of disposal facilities. A total of 43 responses were received from industry, public bodies and community stakeholders, all published with personal information removed, and these will inform amendments to the guidance, which is expected to be published in 2026 alongside a summary of consultation outcomes. The guidance supports the safe, secure and environmentally protective disposal of solid radioactive waste and reflects the agencies’ commitment to transparency, public engagement and consistent regulation across the UK.

View Energy by content type :

Popular documents