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 26 July 2008
Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS)
 
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Nuclear Security

Why is security so important?

Security arrangements against the theft of nuclear materials ensure that material of potential proliferation concern is appropriately protected from wrongful use. It complements the nuclear material and accountancy 'safeguards' system. It is also important that nuclear facilities and nuclear material are protected against criminal or malevolent acts because of the potential risk to public health, safety and the environment. Security at nuclear sites is kept under regular review in the light of the prevailing threat and has been significantly enhanced since the terrorist attacks in the USA on 11 September 2001.

Who has responsibility for policy matters regarding nuclear security?

BERR has policy responsibility for the security of the UK's civil nuclear sites. BERR participates in the international debate about standards of physical protection and ensures through our national regulations that UK civil nuclear material and facilities meet international obligations and guidance on security measures for them, taking into account the likely level of the threat against them.

What legislation governs this area?

A legal framework is in place for security regulation and arrangements in place include the issue of technical guidance, regular inspections and security exercises.

The Nuclear Industries Security Regulations (2003) (amended) (NISR) make provision for the protection of nuclear material, both on sites and in transit, against the risks of theft and sabotage, and for the protection of sensitive nuclear information, such as site security arrangements. The Uranium Enrichment Technology (Prohibition on Disclosure) Regulations 2004 make it an offence to make an unauthorised disclosure of uranium enrichment technology. This technology is used in the civil nuclear industry and can also be used in the development of nuclear weapons.

On 25th November 2006 the Nuclear Industries Security (Amendment) Regulations 2006 came into force,  which ensure complete coverage over the industry including new bodies such as the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), as well as extending coverage to include uranium enrichment technology off-site and uranium enrichment software on-site and correcting a minor reporting anomaly in the regulations. Revised guidance was also isssued to the industry by the security regulator.

The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority

'Managing the Nuclear Legacy: a strategy for action: Command paper CM 5552' was published on 4 July 2002. It set out the Government's proposals in more detail and underlined the Government's commitment to improving the management of nuclear clean up. The White Paper underlined that the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) would be responsible to Government for safe, secure, environmentally responsible and cost effective nuclear clean up. The NDA was set up by the Government in 2005, under the Energy Act 2004.

A consultation was published in March 2003 on modernising the policy for decommissioning the UK's nuclear facilities.

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