REGDOC-2.9.2 - Controlling Releases to the Environment

For nuclear facilities and activities, environmental protection is done in accordance with the
Nuclear Safety and Control Act (NSCA) and the regulations made under it. The legislation
includes provisions to ensure that licensees are meeting the CNSC’s mandate to protect health,
safety and security and the environment. Under the NSCA and its regulations, licensees are
required to take all reasonable precautions to control the release of nuclear and hazardous
substances to the environment from licensed facilities or activities.
As part of an application for a licence to construct, operate or decommission a nuclear facility,
applicants and licensees are required to assess the effects on the environment and the health and
safety of persons, and identify prevention or mitigation measures. In addition, the application
must identify the:
• proposed location(s) of releases
• proposed maximum quantities and concentrations
• anticipated volume and flow rate of releases of nuclear and hazardous substances into the
environment
• proposed measures to control releases of nuclear substances and hazardous substances into
the environment
This regulatory document describes the requirements and guidance for controlling releases to the
environment, through:
• applying the concept of best available technology and techniques economically
achievable (BATEA)
• implementing licensed release limits and action levels for releases to the environment
• commissioning a treatment system and confirming performance
• implementing adaptive management where require