Guiding Principles
Since we began, we have followed a set of “key guiding principles”. These may be described as statements of fundamental core values. They apply both to the way we work as a Committee and to our approach to the process of engagement with the public and stakeholders. Principles 1, 2, and 3 relate to the way in which we carry out our work. Principles 3 and 4 relate to the advice that we provide as a Committee independent of government, the regulators, and the nuclear industry. Principle 5 sets out the financial and time constraints on our work. Our intention is that these principles will continue to underlie all that we do:
1. To be open and transparent
Our aim is to earn public trust by securing confidence in our actions. Openness requires that we operate in public and are accessible both in person and through our publications. Transparency means that we aim to make as clear as possible how, and why, we have formulated our advice. This principle is reflected in our Publication Scheme and Transparency Policy.
2. To uphold the public interest by adopting an evidence-based approach and taking full account of public and stakeholder views in carrying out scrutiny and formulating advice.
Our objective is to provide the best advice we can, commensurate with the expertise and experience we possess or, with the financial and other resources available to us, we can acquire. We shall achieve this in each case, by scrutiny and examination of existing knowledge, including discussion, where appropriate, with interested parties. We aim to provide practicable advice through a process of deliberation that is as inclusive as necessary, and to demonstrate how we have considered public and stakeholder views.
We consider fairness (equity) to be fundamental in order to inspire public confidence. We shall try to ensure that anyone who wants to hold discussions with us has the opportunity to do so. We shall strive to avoid giving disproportionate emphasis to the views of particular groups, stakeholders, communities, or regions. Equally, we recognise that the advice we give could potentially have a greater impact on some people and groups than others, for example, people living close to sites where waste is currently managed. Fairness also involves recognising the rights of future generations.
4. To aim for a safe and sustainable environment both now and in the future.
This principle applies to the environment in which both present and future generations live. In seeking to fulfil the principle that the long-term management of radioactive wastes should seek to avoid placing undue burdens on the environment, both now and for future generations, we recognise the need to take account of the best available science and other specialist input. Achieving a safe and sustainable environment also requires an interdisciplinary approach that incorporates relevant social science.
5. To work efficiently and cost effectively in our aim of contributing to the programme of long-term management of the UK's radioactive waste.
We recognise that we must operate within resource and time constraints. We must maintain the direction and objectives of our work programme, keeping within budget and providing advice within appropriate timescales. We will ensure that other matters that are raised are considered in appropriate ways. But, above all, we will endeavour to present advice that contributes to finding solutions.