1. REGULATION

The National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) is the national institution established by the National Nuclear Regulator Act, Act No 47 of 1999, for the protection of the public, property and environment against nuclear damage. Its mandate is to:

• provide for the protection of persons, property and the environment against nuclear damage through the establishment of safety standards and  regulatory practices;
• exercise regulatory control related to safety over—
• the siting, design, construction, operation, manufacture of component parts, and the decontamination, decommissioning and closure of nuclear installations; and
• vessels propelled by nuclear power or having radioactive material on board which is capable of causing nuclear damage, through the granting of nuclear authorisations;
• exercise regulatory control over other actions, to which this Act applies through the granting of nuclear authorisations;
• provide assurance of compliance with the conditions of nuclear authorizations through the implementation of a system of compliance
• inspections;
• fulfil national obligations in respect of international legal instruments concerning nuclear safety; and
• ensure that provisions for nuclear emergency planning are in place.

The NNR’s key oversight and operational functions relate to the provision of nuclear authorisation and compliance assurance:

Nuclear Authorisation

Nuclear Authorisation is the process of granting, by the National Nuclear Regulator, a written approval to applicants or / and operating organizations to perform nuclear related activities as detailed in the scope of the authorisation.

The authorisation process involves receiving, reviewing and approval of authorisation requests from applicants or/and authorisation holders. Types of authorisations include:

• Nuclear Installation Licence
• Nuclear Vessel Licence
• Certificate of Registration
• Certificate of Exemption

Compliance Assurance

Compliance assurance is the regulatory process used by the NNR to provide assurance of holders’ compliance with the conditions of nuclear authorizations, through the implementation of compliance inspections.
Typical NNR compliance inspections programmes include audits, inspections, surveillance, investigations and enforcement for the following facilities:

• Koeberg Nuclear Power Station
• Necsa (Pelindaba)
• Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) Facilities
• PBMR – The NNR conducts audits and surveillances on the PBMR design processes as well as on ESKOM and the PBMR Company organisational aspects.

2. OVERSIGHT

Department of Minerals and Energy (DME)

The DME administers all matters related to nuclear energy as required by legislation and international agreements. The nuclear sector in South Africa is mainly governed by the Nuclear Energy Act 1999, Act 46 of 1999 , and the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) Act 1999, Act 47 of 1999. These Acts are administered by the DME.

Department of Science and Technology (DST)

The DST provides oversight and is responsible for research and innovation programmes and the development high-end science, engineering, and technology human capital. This function is extended to the nuclear sector through the Hydrogen and Energy sub-programme.

2.3 Department of Public Enterprises (DPE)

DPE performs oversight management over nine of government’s State Owned Enterprises (SOE). The DPE monitors SOE performance with regard to (1) Infrastructure investment and delivery, (2) Operational and industry efficiency, (3) Financial and commercial viability, and (4) Governance and regulatory compliance. The two SOE’s managed by DPE that are involved in the nuclear sector are Eskom and PBMR.

2.4 Department of Trade and Industry (the dti)

3. ACTS, POLICIES AND STRATEGIES

3.1 Nuclear Energy Act

The nuclear sector in South Africa is mainly governed by the Nuclear Energy Act 1999, Act 46 of 1999 Link [PDF],

3.2 NNR Act

and the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) Act 1999, Act 47 of 1999 Link [PDF]. These Acts are administered by the Department of Minerals and Energy.

3.3 The Ten-Year Plan for Science and TECHNOLOGY

Click here to get the file
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Nuclear Energy Policy and Strategy

Nuclear Energy Policy and Strategy for the Republic of South Africa: Draft for Public Comment [PDF, 183KB]