The Nuclear Security (Secretary of State Security Directions) Regulations 2018

Security direction

3.—(1) Where the Secretary of State is satisfied that there is a relevant security threat, the Secretary of State may give a direction (“a security direction”) to any responsible person, to ensure the security of—

(a) the whole or any part of a nuclear site, nuclear construction site or other nuclear premises;

(b) nuclear or other radioactive material used or stored on the whole or any part of a nuclear site, or used or stored on the whole or any part of other nuclear premises;

(c) any transport of nuclear material, whether the transport is due to commence or is in progress;

(d) any sensitive nuclear information; or

(e) any uranium enrichment equipment or uranium enrichment software.

(2) A security direction may require the responsible person to whom the direction is addressed to implement any measures specified in the direction, at such times as may be so specified.

(3) A security direction remains in force from the time it is given until the earlier of—

(a) the time and date specified in that security direction;

(b) the time and date on which that security direction is revoked in accordance with paragraph (4); or

(c) the expiry of a period of 120 hours since that security direction was given, unless the duration of the security direction is extended in accordance with paragraph (4).

(4) The Secretary of State may, by further direction, vary, extend or revoke a security direction, but a further direction may not extend the duration of a security direction by more than an additional 48 hours.

(5) The Secretary of State must consult the Office for Nuclear Regulation before giving a further direction extending the duration of a security direction in accordance with paragraph (4).

(6) In paragraph (1), “relevant security threat” means an imminent threat that—

(a) relates to—

(i) a nuclear site, a nuclear construction site, or other nuclear premises;

(ii) nuclear material or other radioactive material used or stored on the whole or any part of a nuclear site, or used or stored on the whole or any part of other nuclear premises;

(iii) any transport of nuclear material whether that transport is due to commence or is in progress;

(iv) sensitive nuclear information; or

(v) uranium enrichment equipment or uranium enrichment software; and

(b) involves, in respect of—

(i) sites, premises and materials at sub-paragraphs (a)(i) to (iii), an act of terrorism, espionage, sabotage or theft; or

(ii) sensitive nuclear information or uranium enrichment equipment or uranium enrichment software, an act of terrorism, espionage, sabotage or theft concerning that information, equipment or software, or the threat of that information, equipment or software being compromised or disclosed.