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Home Nuclear Reactors New Reactors Advanced Reactors (non-LWR designs) Who We're Working With International Cooperation Memorandum of Cooperation Between the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), the United Kingdom

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 and the US.

CNSC 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. Westinghouse plans to continue pre-application engagement in both countries to support licensing under the Canadian and U.S. regulatory frameworks.

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.

  • CNSC and NRC staff are jointly reviewing the report.

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 are performing a collaborative review of the report titled (as submitted to USNRC) “University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign High-Temperature Gas-cooled Research Reactor: Fuel Qualification Methodology”  ML24071A237 or (as submitted to CNSC) “Micro Modular Reactor (MMR®) Fuel Qualification Methodology Report, Release 01” [CNSC e-Doc 7243218]. The report describes the Fuel Qualification Methodology for the USNC MMR.

Design: X-energy's Xe-100

Vendor engagement with regulators in U.S. and Canada

X-energy is engaged in a combined Phase 1 and 2 Vendor Design Review with the CNSC and in pre-application interactions with USNRC.

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

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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Sharing Regulatory Insights from the Technical Review of the NuScale SMR Design Certification Review

Design: NuScale Power, LLC's (NuScale's) small modular reactor (SMR) design

Objective/Scope

To share regulatory experiences and insights for the NuScale SMR design

Vendor engagement with regulators in U.S. and Canada

NRC approved a design certification for the NuScale SMR. CNSC performed the early phases of a combined Phase 1 & 2 Vendor Design Review of the NuScale design.

Key Activities

CNSC and NRC staff exchanged information on key areas of the NuScale design.

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

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

Vendor engagement with regulators in U.S. and Canada

GEH has begun pre-application activities with USNRC and completed a Combined Phase 1 & 2 Vendor Design Review project with CNSC. On October 31, 2022, Ontario Power Generation submitted an application to the CNSC for a license to construct a BWRX300.

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. CNSC and USNRC will develop work plans to identify specific deliverables under this charter, conduct coordinated and efficient technical reviews within established schedules, and strive to align on common regulatory technical positions that enhance standardization of the GEH BWRX-300 SMR design. Current topics under collaborative review are: Safety Strategy, Fuel Verification and Validation, and Advanced Construction Techniques.

Previously, CNSC and USNRC performed a collaborative review of the licensing topical report on the BWRX-300 Containment Evaluation Method and exchanged information on safety review methodologies, regulatory approaches, and treatment of unique aspects of the BWRX-300 Containment Evaluation Method.

A joint report was issued (ML22091A201) which summarized the findings of the CNSC and USNRC collaborative work and can be used in each regulator's review process.

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. Holtec submitted a Regulatory Engagement plan ML24087A210 indicating its proposed pre-application activities. The United Kingdom’s Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) is performing a Generic Design Assessment of the SMR-300.

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  will review the safety classification process for structures, systems, and components (SSCs) of each organization and identify key similarities and differences.

Output: CNSC and USNRC issued an interim 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, June 12, 2024