Definition of Ratings
A - Exceeds requirements
A rating of 'A' is merited when assessment topics or programs meet and consistently
exceed applicable CNSC requirements and performance expectations. Performance
is stable
or improving.
Any problems
or issues that arise are promptly addressed such that they do not pose an unreasonable
risk to the maintenance of health, safety, security, environmental protection,
or conformance with international obligations to which Canada has agreed.
For topics or programs meriting an 'A' rating, no special compliance activities
will typically be required; the usual CNSC compliance program will be applied.
B - Meets requirements
A rating of 'B' is merited when assessment topics or programs meet the intent
or objectives of CNSC requirements and performance expectations. There is only
minor deviation
from
requirements
or the expectations for the design and/or execution of the programs, but these
deviations do not represent an unreasonable risk to the maintenance of health,
safety, security, environmental protection, or conformance with international
obligations to which Canada has agreed. That is, there is some slippage with
respect to the requirements and expectations for program design and execution.
However, those issues are considered to pose a low risk to the achievement
of regulatory performance requirements and expectations of the CNSC.
For topics or progams meriting a 'B' rating, CNSC compliance activities can
typically include the provision of additional information and recommendations
to promote better compliance or to suggest improvements. There should be no
deficiencies in programs or gaps in performance such that special compliance
activities are warranted.
C - Below requirements
A rating of 'C' is merited when either assessment topics or
programs deviate from the intent or objectives of CNSC
requirements, or performance deteriorates and falls below expectations,
to
the extent that there is a moderate risk that the programs will ultimately
fail to achieve expectations for the maintenance of health, safety, security,
environmental protection, or conformance with international obligations to
which Canada has agreed. Although the risk of programs and performance falling
significantly below requirements in the short term remains low, improvements
in performance or programs are required to address identified weaknesses. The
licensee or applicant has taken,
or is taking appropriate action.
For topics or programs meriting a 'C' rating, CNSC compliance activities
can typically include providing further information to promote compliance,
the
identification of issues to be followed up by CNSC staff in subsequent compliance
reviews and inspections, and specific requests and action notices with clear
objectives and time frames to be met. Consideration may also be given to recommending
the addition of licence conditions to address the identified deficiencies.
D - Significantly below requirements
A rating of 'D' is merited when assessment topics or programs are significantly
below requirements, or there is evidence of continued poor performance, to
the extent
that whole
programs
are undermined or compromised. Without corrective
action, there is a high probability that the deficiencies will lead to an unreasonable
risk
to the maintenance of health, safety, security, environmental protection, or
conformance with international obligations to which Canada has agreed. Issues
are not being addressed effectively by the licensee or applicant. The licensee
or applicant has neither taken appropriate compensating measures nor provided
an alternative plan of action.
For topics or programs meriting a 'D' rating, CNSC compliance activities
can typically include progressively more stringent enforcement action, recommending
licensing action to add more restrictive licence conditions and, where conditions
warrant, the issuing of an order.
E - Unacceptable
A rating of 'E' is merited when there is evidence of either an absence, total
inadequacy, breakdown, or loss of control of an assessment topic or a program.
There is
a very high
probability
of an
unreasonable risk to the maintenance of health, safety, security, environmental
protection, or conformance with international obligations to which Canada has
agreed. An appropriate regulatory response, such as an order or restrictive
licensing action has been or is being implemented to rectify the situation.
Depending on the nature of the risk and topic, CNSC compliance activities
for programs with an 'E' rating can typically involve progressively more stringent
enforcement action, including formal investigation for the purpose of considering
prosecution, as well as recommending licensing action to add more restrictive
licence conditions or, where conditions warrant, the issuing of an order to
take remedial action or to suspend activities.
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