Given the critical importance of nuclear and radiation technologies and their unique role in development, it is imperative to ensure the regulation of facilities, activities, and practices using these technologies to uphold the highest safety standards. This also involves securing nuclear and radioactive facilities and materials and ensuring compliance with international treaties and agreements to which the Kingdom is a party.​​​

These nuclear facilities and radiological practices necessitate a regulatory role within an appropriate and effective national system to ensure safety, protection, and the regulation of activities, practices, and facilities associated with these uses. The Kingdom is committed to its nuclear and radiological regulatory role on the international stage by fulfilling the requirements of several international instruments (including treaties, agreements, and binding resolutions), all of which emphasize the establishment of national regulatory systems in the nuclear and radiological fields and the designation of an independent national authority empowered to enforce these systems. Accordingly, the Council of Ministers issued Resolution No. 334 on 25/6/1439 AH, establishing the Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission (NRRC), which possesses legal personality, financial, and administrative independence, and reports directly to the Prime Minister to carry out the following tasks:​​

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In accordance with its regulations, the NRRC is responsible for establishing and managing a national accounting system for the inventory and control of nuclear materials. This includes preparing technical regulations for nuclear safeguards to ensure the Kingdom's compliance with the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement, which the Kingdom signed with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA​) under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT​)​. The NRRC also oversees the import, export, and handling of nuclear materials, nuclear-related items, and radioactive sources.

Additionally, the NRRC issues licenses that permit entities to conduct activities using radioactive sources across various developmental fields, following the controls and standards approved by the NRRC. As part of its responsibilities, the NRRC issues licenses for nuclear facilities and defines the requirements and procedures for managing radioactive waste to ensure the application of all safety standards for the protection of human health and the environment.

The NRRC undertakes the following tasks and responsibilities:

1. Establishing policies and regulations to ensure oversight of activities, practices, and facilities.
2. Developing regulations related to nuclear safety, security, and safeguards, and ensuring their implementation.
3. Monitoring the export, import, and handling of nuclear materials, their derivatives, and radioactive substances.
4. Establishing requirements for nuclear and radiological emergency preparedness.
5. Overseeing and inspecting activities, practices, and facilities under its jurisdiction.
6. Raising awareness about the risks of ionizing radiation.
7. Cooperating with government entities, similar bodies in other countries, and international organizations concerning its areas of responsibility.
8. Representing the Kingdom before the IAEA and other international organizations relevant to its activities.
9. Any other task deemed necessary by the NRRC to protect people and the environment from the risks of ionizing radiation.

The NRRC may seek assistance from individuals outside its staff to help perform some of its assigned tasks.