Office for Nuclear Regulation

About ONR

The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) was established as an Agency of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on 1 April 2011. It sets nuclear safety and security standards at both civil and defence nuclear sites and is the principal regulator of the safety and security of the nuclear industry in the UK. The establishment of ONR is preparatory to the Government's intention to bring forward legislation to create a new independent statutory body, outside of the HSE, to regulate the nuclear power industry.

ONR brings together the former Nuclear Installations Inspectorate, UK Safeguards Office, Office for Civil Nuclear Security and the Department for Transport's Radioactive Materials Transport Team, inheriting an international reputation for excellence, and a robust regulatory framework forged over more than 50 years.

ONR is currently engaged in an ambitious and exciting process of development to create a stronger and even more effective and efficient organisation, better equipped to deliver its core activities and to achieve our vision to be:

“Universally respected for securing confidence in nuclear safety and security.”

ONR’s transformation has so far focused on the establishment of a new operational delivery programme structure to reflect nuclear industry sectors, and continues with the reorganisation of cross-cutting and business support functions to provide ONR with the agility and flexibility it needs to become a more stakeholder-centric organisation.

ONR’s delivery programmes are:

• Civil Nuclear Reactors
• Sellafield
• Decommissioning, Fuel and Waste
• Defence
• Civil Nuclear Security
• Radioactive Materials Transport
• Nuclear Reactor Generic Design Assessment
• Corporate Services
• Strategy, Policy and Governance

ONR's first strategy, launched on Friday 13th January 2012, articulates its vision of an organisation which focuses on delivery, is accountable for its decisions, actions and achievements, and shares expertise and learns from others.