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Collaborative Projects

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Information on joint reports that have been issued can be found on the Joint Reports page.

Cooperation in Pre-application Review Activities for Advanced Reactors

This activity serves as a platform for establishing and testing regulatory cooperation processes using specific case studies from a design under development, being reviewed in both Canada or the UK and the US.

CNSC, ONR, and USNRC will each assess how the design is addressing regulatory requirements in each country and share experiences in a collaborative fashion.

Design: Westinghouse eVinci

Vendor engagement with regulators in U.S. and Canada

In Canada, CNSC has initiated a Vendor Design Review (VDR) on the eVinci. In the United States, white papers and topical reports have been submitted for feedback on the overall eVinci microreactor methodologies.

Key Activities

On April 12, 2024, Westinghouse submitted a report, EVR-LIC-G0-004-P/NP, Factory Manufacturing and Assembly for the eVinci Microreactor Design” for joint review by CNSC Report for Joint NRC and CNSC Review. In December 2025, CNSC and NRC issued a report of its joint review.

Design: UltraSafe Nuclear Corporation (USNC) Micro Modular Reactor (MMR)

Vendor engagement with regulators in U.S. and Canada

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) submitted to the NRC a Regulatory Engagement Plan ML23178A259 indicating their intent to submit an application for a construction permit for a research reactor based on technology developed by Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation. CNSC has completed a Phase 1 Vendor Design Review of the MMR.

Key Activities

CNSC and NRC performed a joint audit of a report that describes the Fuel Qualification Methodology for the USNC MMR. Collaboration is currently on hold for review activities related to the MMR project.

Design: X-energy's Xe-100

Vendor engagement with regulators in U.S., UK and Canada

CNSC completed a combined Phase 1 and 2 Vendor Design Review for the Xe-100. X-energy is in pre-application interactions with USNRC for its reactor design. In addition, the NRC is reviewing a construction permit application from Long Mott Energy, LLC for the Xe-100 power reactor. ONR is performing early engagement interactions with X-energy.

Key Activities

CNSC and NRC staff reviewed a white paper from X-energy that outlines the regulatory and technical aspects of choosing a Construction Code for the Xe-100 Reactor Pressure Vessel commensurate with its safety functions. CNSC and USNRC issued a joint report with observations on the white paper. ML21166A304. NRC, CNSC and ONR are considering collaboration on additional topics.

Design: Terrestrial Energy's Integral Molten Salt Reactor (IMSR ©)

Vendor engagement with regulators in U.S. and Canada

Terrestrial Energy USA is engaged in pre-application interactions with the NRC. CNSC has completed a Phase 2 Vendor Design Review on the IMSR.
 

Key Activities

CNSC and USNRC performed a collaborative review of Terrestrial Energy USA’s white paper on Postulated Initiating Events for its Integral Molten Salt Reactor.

A joint report was issued ML22139A124 which summarized the findings of the CNSC and USNRC collaborative work and can be used in each regulator's review process.

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Cooperation in Pre-application Review Activities Pertinent to Small Modular Reactors

Design: GE Verona Hitachi's (GVH's) small Modular Reactor BWRX-300

Vendor engagement with regulators in U.S. and Canada

The USNRC is performing pre-application activities with GVH and is reviewing a construction permit application from the Tennessee Valley Authority for a BWRX-300 at the Clinch River site. CNSC completed a Combined Phase 1 & 2 Vendor Design Review for the BWRX-300.In April 2025, CNSC issued to Ontario Power Generation a license to construct a BWRX300. In December 2025, OPG completed a phase 1 and 2 vendor design review for the BWRX-300.

Key Activities

In September 2022, the USNRC and CNSC signed a Charter that establishes the collaborative relationship and the work to be done by CNSC and USNRC on the BWRX-300 SMR design project. In 2024 ONR joined the collaboration. Under this charter, the regulators develop work plans that identify specific deliverables, conduct coordinated and efficient technical reviews within established schedules, and strive to align on common regulatory technical positions that enhance standardization of the GEVH BWRX-300 SMR design. Current topics under collaborative review are: Safety Strategy, Instrumentation and Controls, and Advanced Construction Techniques.

Previous collaborative reviews included, Fuel Verification and Validation, Containment Evaluation Method (ML22091A201), the steel-plate composite containment vessel and reactor building structural design and a white paper on safety strategy.

Design: Holtec SMR-300

Vendor engagement with regulators in U.S. and United Kingdom

The NRC is performing pre-application activities associated with a future construction permit application for a Holtec SMR-300. The United Kingdom’s Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) completed a step 1 Generic Design Assessment of the SMR-300 and is currently performing a step 2 assessment.

Key Activities

ONR and NRC staff are exchanging information on key areas of the Holtec design.

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Develop Guidance for Staff Review of New Build License Applications for Advanced Reactor Projects

Operator Training and Qualification

Objective/Scope: CNSC and USNRC staff will share regulatory experiences and insights associated with operator training and qualification. An exchange of information between the CNSC and USNRC will cover review methodologies, regulatory approaches, and treatment of operator training and qualification.

Output: Issuance of a report that will document:

  1. alignment on key technical areas
  2. items of mutual understanding that could be used in each regulator’s process for the evaluation and approval of operator training and qualification programs
  3. key differences in methodologies associated with operator training, experience, eligibility, examination, and licensing/certification

Tristructural Isotropic (TRISO) fuel qualification assessment

Objective/Scope: CNSC and USNRC staff established a common regulatory position on TRISO fuel qualification based on existing knowledge to identify any potential analytical or testing gaps which would need to be addressed to enable TRISO use in advanced reactor licensing applications. Additional information is available in the Work Plan.

Output: : CNSC and USNRC issued a joint report summarizing data, criteria, and approaches that can help support fuel-related regulatory findings for TRISO-fueled reactor designs. ML23172A242

Licensing Modernization Project

Scope: CNSC and USNRC  compared the criteria/guidance for technology-inclusive, risk-informed, and performance-based staff review of applications for advanced reactors and documented areas of commonality and differences between the Canadian approach and US approach.

Output: CNSC and USNRC issued a joint report comparing the USNRC’s Licensing Modernization Project and Canadian practice. ML21225A101

Classification of Structures, Systems and Components

Scope: CNSC and USNRC reviewed the safety classification process for structures, systems, and components (SSCs) of each organization and identified key similarities and differences.

Output: In January 2025, CNSC and USNRC issued a joint report documenting the commonalities and differences in safety classification of SSCs including an assessment of the impact of these differences on the design.

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Page Last Reviewed/Updated Wednesday, January 07, 2026

Page Last Reviewed/Updated Wednesday, January 07, 2026