Office for Nuclear Development: was established to facilitate new nuclear investment in the UK by: (a) enabling operators to build and operate new nuclear power stations in the UK from the earliest possible date and to enable new nuclear to make the fullest contribution it is capable of, with no public subsidy, and with unnecessary obstacles removed; (b) building and maintaining the UK as the best market in the world for companies to do business in nuclear power; (c) creating and supporting a globally competitive UK supply chain, focusing on high value added activities to take advantage of the UK and worldwide nuclear programme; and (d) supporting and advising the Secretary of State on nuclear safety, security and safeguards, ensure continued progress with waste management and decommissioning and to implement the Governments Global Threat Reduction Programme (non- proliferation). It was created by John Hutton in 2008 and was the first of the “Offices” in the energy policy area. The founding Chief Executive was Mark Higson and the Expert Chair was Dr Tim Stone CBE.

The Office for Nuclear Regulation: Established in April 2011 to replace the NIl and responsible for all nuclear sector regulation across the UK. The ONR is no longer an agency of the Health and Safety Executive and is now a public corporation. ONR is the regulatory and enforcing authority on GB nuclear sites with a scope of nuclear safety, conventional safety, security, safeguards, and transport. ONR was created following the recommendations of the Stone Review commissioned in 2008 by John Hutton as Secretary of State for BERR.

ONR security requirements for the protection of Sensitive Nuclear Information and personnel security in the civil nuclear industry Reference TRIM Ref:4.4.2.4890.SB1/6.

The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has announced its contribution to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)'s Nuclear Harmonisation and Standardisation Initiative (NHSI) Regulatory Cooperation Toolkit, a Phase II (2025–26) output developed with regulators from 25 Member States. It comprises two components: (1) approaches for addressing cross-jurisdictional regulatory differences and (2) resources for leveraging existing regulatory reviews. Several UK practices—including ONR's approach to generic design assessments and early regulatory engagement—have been recognised in the published materials. The toolkit is intended to underpin the forthcoming Global Framework for Advanced Reactor Reviews.

The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has announced the prosecution of Bouygues Travaux Publics SAS and Laing O’Rourke Delivery Limited under section 33(1)(c) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 following an incident at the Hinkley Point C where an employee sustained serious injuries after a rebar mesh wall fell. Both companies, operating as part of the BYLOR JV joint venture, are accused of failing to adequately plan and manage construction work to ensure safety. The incident is being treated as a conventional health and safety matter with no radiological risks involved.

The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has reported that the UK nuclear industry maintained satisfactory safety, security and safeguards standards in 2024/25. Key regulatory decisions included granting the nuclear site licence for Sizewell C, permissioning the first reactor pressure vessel installation at Hinkley Point C in 30 years and withdrawing 98 regulatory specifications from former Magnox decommissioning sites. ONR worked with EDF on reactor lifetime extensions for Heysham 1 and Hartlepool until March 2028 and Heysham 2 and Torness until March 2030.

The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) issued a prohibition notice on 26 April 2023 to Sai G Logistics Ltd under the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009 (As Amended), SI 2009/1348 and the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017, SI 2017/1075. The notice prohibits Sai G Logistics Ltd from transporting radioactive material until shortfalls have been resolved, following an inspection at its Slough premises on 28 March 2023. The inspection revealed that the company was transporting radioactive material for use in the industrial and medical sectors without suitable advisers, had not carried out the required activities needed to identify risks and restrict the exposure of individuals to ionising radiation, or carried out the processes for the safe transport of radioactive material. ONR has also said that it will monitor the company's progress until the issues are resolved.

The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has launched a consultation, seeking views on the scope, clarity and technical content of the current higher activity waste management guidance. The feedback received will help inform a comprehensive review of the guidance, which was last updated a decade ago. The consultation closes on 22 August 2025.

The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has launched a consultation on revised Safety Assessment Principles (SAPs). The consultation seeks to align the SAPs with current legislation, international standards, and developments in technology and industry practice to support more consistent, timely and proportionate regulatory decision-making. ONR said that the revisions will enhance transparency, maintain a flexible, risk-informed approach to nuclear safety, support innovation across the sector, and respond to recommendations made by the Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce. The consultation closes on 18 September 2026, with the final SAPs expected to be published in December 2026.

The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has launched ‘ONR Together’, a new rolling strategy setting out its future approach to regulating the UK’s nuclear sector. The strategy updates ONR’s mission to ‘ensuring safe nuclear for a secure and sustainable future’ and its vision to be a ‘modern, agile and productive regulator, enabling innovation and growth’. ONR Together is structured around three new strategic aims: (1) Modern, which focuses on fostering innovation, adopting modern technology and strengthening collaboration with stakeholders domestically and globally; (2) Agile, which focuses on building workforce capability and introducing flexible structures with streamlined decision-making processes and (3) Productive, which focuses on strengthening governance, delivering transparent and efficient operations and ensuring value for money. The strategy also commits ONR to clarifying what acceptable compliance looks like, giving industry greater certainty to invest and deliver. An annual corporate plan, due to be published shortly, will translate the strategy into specific and measurable objectives. Unlike previous strategies, ONR Together is not time bound.

The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has set out a programme of reforms in response to the Chancellor’s request to implement the Nuclear Regulatory Review 2025. The reforms are intended to support the timely and cost-effective delivery of the UK’s expanding civil and defence nuclear programmes while maintaining standards of nuclear safety, security and safeguards. Through its ONR Together strategy, ONR will strengthen risk-informed and outcome-focused decision making, simplify regulatory expectations and focus resources on the areas presenting the greatest hazards. ONR has published revised safety case guidance to support clearer, more proportionate and evidence-based safety arguments. It is also reviewing its processes to reduce duplication and improve the consistency and speed of decisions. In addition, ONR is modernising its assessment of new reactor technologies through more flexible Generic Design Assessment processes, recognition of proven technologies and operating experience where appropriate, and work towards fleet-based approaches for European Pressurised Reactors and small modular reactors.

The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has published its 2023-24 annual report and accounts. The report outlines the ONR’s activities and finances for the 2023 to 2024 financial year, as well as the progress made towards the milestones detailed in its corporate plan. It comprises performance and accountability reports, along with financial statements.