Nuclear regulation: the Canadian approach

A review of the responsibilities of the Atomic Energy Control Board (AECB) of Canada as the federal nuclear regulatory authority is presented. Although the basic philosophy of nuclear regulation in Canada has changed very little since the mid-1940's, the regulatory process is far more open to the general public, has become appreciably more comprehensive and systematic in terms of the depth and extent of both the pre- and post-licensing technical evaluations which are conducted and the ensuing compliance program, and now applies to the whole nuclear fuel cycle as well as the industrial, agricultural and medical applications of radionuclides. The fundamental principles of AECB which remain unchanged are discussed