Nuclear Energy Regulatory Justification Services Framework

The Authority has an agreement with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to fulfil specific elements of the Justification process, as Justifying Authority for new nuclear energy technologies. The Authority’s Nuclear Justification Team’s role is to advise the SoS so that the SoS may determine the class or type of practice (CTP) that pertains to any application it receives from the nuclear industry and to decide whether the CTP is Justified or not.

The Authority has established a framework of suppliers who have the requisite nuclear expertise to provide advice throughout the Justification process. The Authority's Nuclear Justification Team will use the services and deliverables provided by Framework Suppliers to inform its recommendations to the Secretary of State (SoS) in respect of an appropriate CTP and whether it is Justified.

The Authority's Nuclear Justification (NJ) Team will use the services and deliverables provided by Framework Suppliers to inform its recommendations to the Secretary of State (SoS) in respect of an appropriate CTP and whether it is Justified. The Authority has established a framework of 8 (eight) suppliers that have the requisite nuclear expertise to provide the following services throughout the Justification process. • Undertake specific analyses and provide technical advice to inform Justification decisions on new nuclear energy technologies including but not limited to: o preparing detailed and comprehensive written reports, in an agreed manner and timeline, as required; o presenting, explaining and discussing report findings to/with the NJ Team, statutory consultees and other stakeholders as required; o other related analysis and technical advice as required. • Provide ongoing technical support to the NJ Team, including but not limited to: o providing expert knowledge, advice and support to enable interpretation and understanding of technical aspects and implications of data and information relevant to the Justification assessment process; o providing advice on robustness of evidence, gaps in evidence and methods; o providing access to expert bodies to approach to provide supplementary evidence where needed; o co-authoring draft and final Decision documents with the NJ Team o other related technical support as required.

The Framework will commence on 01/10/2025 and operate for a period of 60 months with an optional extension period of up to 18 months to permit ongoing assessments to be completed, with a maximum end date of March 2032. The Authority anticipates a range of Justification applications over the Framework term.

These are expected to form the core of the work commissioned through the Framework. There is no guarantee or commitment to the number of applications to be assessed or the timelines for applications to be received over the Framework term. Each Justification application is expected to take up to nineteen months to complete.