The Health & Safety Executive, for which the authors work, is responsible for the regulation of nuclear and conventional safety during decommissioning. Moving from the end of operation of a Nuclear Power Plant to its decommissioning brings many changes in staffing, processes and culture as well as in plant state. The challenge to the licensee of the plant is to manage these changes effectively so that the decommissioning work progresses efficiently and safely. The challenge to the regulator is to develop an approach which changes proportionately in line with the reduced nuclear hazard and enables the licensee to decommission sites effectively and safely.

The Nuclear Reactors (Environmental Impact Assessment for Decommissioning) Regulations 1999 - EIADR99 - provides an open and transparent approach by requiring extensive public consultation on the environmental impacts of decommissioning. HSE's experience to date with this new legislation (as described in the article) suggests that the process is most effective when the public and other stakeholders are engaged early. To date, HSE has issued two consents under the regulations: for Hinkley Point A and Bradwell nuclear power stations and is considering applications from Calder Hall & Chapelcross.