Prior to the granting of an authorisation, the applicant is required to apply to the NNR, in the prescribed format, detailing the intended activities and providing a demonstration of safety and compliance to the NNR requirements. The documentation submitted must address licensing aspects in the design of any facilities concerned and safety in the way the facility will be constructed, commissioned, operated, maintained and decommissioned.

The authorisation conditions represent a framework within which the applicant or holder of the nuclear authorisation is obliged to comply with particular requirements in respect of design, operation, maintenance and decommissioning. The conditions of authorisation also oblige the holder of the authorisation to provide a demonstration of compliance through the submission of routine and non-routine reports.

Standard conditions included in a nuclear authorisation address:

• The description and configuration of the authorised facility or action;
• Requirements in respect of modification to facilities;
• Operational requirements in the form of operating technical specifications, procedures or programmes as appropriate;
• Maintenance testing and inspection requirements;
• Operational radiation protection programmes;
• Radioactive waste management programmes;
• Emergency planning and preparedness requirements as appropriate;
• Physical security;
• Transport of radioactive material;
• Public exposure safety assessments;
• Quality assurance