Health safety and environmental liabilities of the « nuclear industry » reflect those of industry in general and may broadly be divided into two areas : criminal liability for regulatory non-compliance ; and civil liability for damage caused to persons and their property (for example, neighbours, employees etc).

In addition, environmental liability may be incurred as a result of powers of the regulatory authorities to clean up contamination and to recoup the cost.

These are in addition to the regime of strict liability imposed, where relevant, by the Nuclear Installations Act 1965.

In the case of environmental liabilities, « owners », « occupiers », « persons responsible », « persons in control » may all be held to be liable and for the most part these terms remain undefined both under English law and European Community (now European Union) law.

This potentially has ramifications for current and former owners and operators, their boards and senior managers, other employees, parent companies, shareholders and their lenders and investors - of particular relevance in the context of privatization.