Chalk River Laboratories
On November 3, 2014, all licences for the operation of Chalk River Laboratories (CRL) were transferred from Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) to Canadian Nuclear Laboratories Ltd. (CNL). CNL manages operations and performs all functions previously done by AECL at CRL. The CNSC has full-time dedicated staff onsite, who periodically do inspections to evaluate operations and to verify compliance with regulatory requirements and licence conditions.
- Facility information
- Latest CNSC facility-specific announcements
- Disclosure protocol
- Regulatory reporting
- Other key topics
- Chalk River Laboratories Near Surface Disposal Facility Project
- Global First Power Micro Modular Reactor Project
Facility information
Aerial view of CNL's Chalk River Laboratories
Location: Chalk River, ON
Licensee: Canadian Nuclear Laboratories Ltd. (CNL)
Status: Operating
Licence issued: April 1, 2018
Licence expires: March 31, 2028
Start of commercial operation: 1945
Licensing documentation: Request for copy of CNL’s Chalk River Laboratories licence and licence condition handbook by email
CRL is one of the most complex laboratories in Canada, with activities ranging from services and development related to the nuclear industry, to other science areas such as physics, metallurgy, chemistry, biology, and engineering.
The NRU reactor, one of the world's most versatile research reactors, operated at CRL since 1957. On March 31, 2018, it was shut down and put into safe storage.
Focus on safety and the environment
The CNSC is committed to protecting the safety of people and the environment. Click below for current environmental and safety performance data for Chalk River Laboratories.
Latest facility-specific announcements
- March 29, 2018: CNSC renews Canadian Nuclear Laboratories’ operating licence for Chalk River Laboratories
Disclosure protocol
As part of the CNSC's regulatory requirements, major licensees must have robust public information and disclosure programs in place. To obtain more information, visit CNL's website
Regulatory reporting
- Licensing requirements for Class II nuclear facilities
- Regulatory actions
- Nuclear-related event reports
Other key topics
- Independent Environmental Monitoring Program: Chalk River Laboratories
- Canadian Nuclear Association’s report “Assessing the Business Case for the National Research Universal Reactor (NRU)”
- CNSC - AECL Protocol for NRU Licensing Activities
- Health Canada: health experts report on medical isotopes shortage
- Decommissioned nuclear reactors
- Map of research facilities
- Nuclear Legacy Liability Program
- Highly enriched uranium (HEU) repatriation
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