Information Notice 1998-30, Effect of Year 2000 Computer Problem on NRC Licensees and Certificate Holders
UNITED STATES
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY AND SAFEGUARDS
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555
August 12, 1998 NRC INFORMATION NOTICE 98-30: EFFECT OF THE YEAR 2000 COMPUTER
PROBLEM ON NRC LICENSEES AND CERTIFICATE
HOLDERS
Addressees
All material and fuel cycle licensees and certificate holders.
Purpose
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing this information notice to remind all
addressees of the potential problems their computer systems and software may encounter as a
result of the change to the year 2000. It is expected that recipients will review this information
for applicability to their facilities and consider actions, as appropriate, to avoid potential
problems. However, suggestions contained in this information notice are not NRC
requirements; therefore, no specific action nor written response is required.
Description of Circumstances
The Year 2000 (Y2K) problem pertains to the potential inability of computers to correctly
recognize dates beyond December 31,1999. This problem results from computer hardware
and/or software that uses two-digit fields to represent the year. These systems may misread
the year 2000 and cause the systems to fail, generate faulty data, or act in an incorrect manner.
The Y2K problem has the potential to interfere with the proper operation of any computer
system, hardware that is microprocessor-based (embedded software), software, or database.
As discussed in this Information Notice, "Y2K Ready" is defined as a computer system or
application that has been determined to be suitable for continued use into the year 2000, even
though the computer system or application is not Y2K Compliant. A Y2K Readiness Program is
a plan for a facility to become Y2K Ready. "Y2K Compliant" is defined as a computer system or
application that accurately processes date/time data (including, but not limited to, calculating, comparing, and sequencing) from, into, and between the years 1999 and 2000, and beyond, including leap-year calculations.
The Y2K problem is urgent because it has a fixed, non-negotiable deadline that is quickly
approaching. This matter requires priority attention because of the limited time remaining to
()
assess the magnitude of the problem, assess its associated risks, and implement programs that
will achieve a satisfactory resolution of the Y2K problem.
98080X01.36 e(z
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-
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byIN 98-30
August 12,1998 Existing reporting requirements under 10 CFR Part 21 provide for notification to NRC of
deficiencies, non-conformances, and failures, such as the Y2K problem in safety-related
systems.
Examples of systems that may be affected by the Y2K problem include:
Treatment planning systems
Dose calibrators
Embedded systems
Decay programs
Physical Protection
Analytical systems that rely on microprocessors and software controls
Interlocks
Material Control and Accounting
Emergency response systems
Radiation monitoring systems
Dosimeters, dosimetry programs, and readers
Communication systems
Surveillance and maintenance tracking systems
To alert licensees and certificate holders to the Y2K problem, NRC issued Information Notice
(IN) 96-70, "Year 2000 Effect on Computer System Software," on December 24, 1996, and IN 97-61, 'U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Letter, to Medical Device
Manufacturers, on the Year 2000 Problem," on August 6,1997. In IN 96-70, the staff described
the potential problems that computer systems and software may encounter as a result of the
change from the year 1999 to the year 2000 and how the Y2K issue may affect NRC licensees
and certificate holders. IN 96-70 encouraged licensees and certificate holders to examine their
uses of computer systems and software well before the year 2000 and suggested that they
consider appropriate actions to examine and evaluate their computer systems for Y2K
vulnerabilities. In IN 97-61, the staff forwarded to licensees a letter from the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), to medical device
manufacturers, regarding the Y2K problem. In a letter dated June 25, 1997, the FDA reminded
medical device manufacturers that some computer systems and software applications currently
used in medical devices, including embedded microprocessors, may experience problems as a
result of the turn to the new century. In addition, the letter indicated that computer-controlled
design, production, or quality control processes could be adversely affected.
As part of NRC's response to the Y2K problem, NRC assembled a Y2K team to gather more
information on the Y2K programs of materials and fuel cycle licensees and certificate holders.
In addition, materials and fuel cycle inspectors have been instructed to confirm receipt of NRC's
INs 96-70 and 97-61, by materials and fuel cycle licensees and certificate holders; determine
whether the licensees and certificate holders have identified any potential problems associated
with the Y2K issue; and note any corrective actions taken by the licensees and certificate
holders.
V
-IN
98-30
August 12, 1998 Discussion:
There are several concerns associated with the potential impact of the Y2K problem because of
the variety and types of computer systems and software in use. For example, the role and use
of computers and embedded systems in: (1) treatment planning systems; (2) dose calibrators;
(3) programmable logic controllers and other commercial off-the-shelf software and hardware;
(4) document control systems; (5) process control systems; (6) engineering calculations; and
(7) systems for the collection of operating and post-accident site parameter data. Licensees
should develop contingency plans for systems that are not Y2K Ready.
Some treatment planning systems and dose calibrators have been found not to be Y2K
Compliant by the manufacturer.
Addressees
should contact their treatment planning system
and dose calibrator venders to determine if their systems are Y2K Ready. Further, addressees
should verify that their treatment planning systems and dose calibrators are Y2K Ready.
Some systems that have been determined to be Y2K Compliant by the manufacturer have been
found not to be Y2K Compliant by the end user. Conversely, some systems that have been
determined not to be Y2K Compliant by the manufacturer have been found to be Y2K Ready by
the end user. Further, devices that are the same model may have microprocessors from
different manufacturers which may cause the devices to behave differently in the year 2000.
Addressees
should not rely completely on manufacturers certification. Y2K Readiness is also
dependent on the manner in which the system is used. Again, addressees should verify that all
of their systems are Y2K Ready.
Applications that have no apparent date manipulation algorithms may still be affected by a Y2K
problem. For example, a subroutine that date-stamps the header information in archival tapes, regardless of the rest of the content of the tape, may be affected. In addition, individual
systems may be "date-safe," but the integrated operations that the systems support may be
vulnerable to the Y2K problem. Therefore, after testing a subsystem for Y2K compliance, a
functional test of the entire system should be performed.
The following elements can be used to aid in the development of a successful Y2K Readiness
Program: (1) management planning; (2) implementation; (3) quality assurance (QA); (4)
regulatory considerations; and (5) documentation. The components for planning include
management awareness, sponsorship, project leadership, project objectives, project
management team, management plan, project reports, interfaces, resources, and oversight.
The phases of implementation include: awareness; initial assessment (e.g., inventory, categorization, classification, prioritization, and analysis); detailed assessment (e.g., vendor
evaluation, software evaluation, interface evaluation, remedial planning); remediation; testing
and validation; and notification. The features of QA include project management QA as well as
implementation QA. The aspects of regulatory considerations include the performance and
documentation of appropriate reviews and/or evaluations. The elements of documentation of
activities and results include project management documentation, vendor certifications, inventory lists, checklists, and record retention.
K>
-TIN 98-30
August 12,1998 There are three reference documents that may help licensees and certificate holders with their
Y2K Readiness Programs. The General Accounting Office published UYear 2000 Computing
Crisis: An Assessment Guide," in September 1997 and uYear 2000 Computing Crisis: Business
Continuity and Contingency Planning. Exposure Draft," in March 1998
<http://www.gao.gov/special.pubs/publist.htm> as general business tools; and the Nuclear
Energy Institute published NEI/NUSMG 97-07, "Nuclear Utility Year 2000 Readiness,' in
October 1997 <http:/twww.nrc.gov/NRCNY2K/NRCNEI/NE19707.html> to assist nuclear power
plants in the development of their Y2K Readiness Programs. Even though the latter applies to
commercial nuclear power plants, the general discussion of the elements in Y2K Readiness
Programs could be beneficial to other business entities.
NRC has certified that its Nuclear Material Management Safeguards System (NMMSS) is Y2K
Compliant. For NRC licensees and certificate holders required to report nuclear material
transactions to NMMSS, from May 1, 1998, through mid-1999, NMMSS will operate in a
manner that allows all nuclear material transaction reports to NMMSS to be either in the current
two-digit year reporting format or in the Y2K Compliant four-digit year format. After mid-1999, only the Y2K Compliant format will be acceptable. Licensees and certificate holders that use
their own software to input data into NMMSS will have to modify it themselves, to be Y2K
Compliant.
The U.S. Food and Drug Association has established a web site
<http:/twww.fda.gov/cdrhlyr2000> to provide information regarding the status or impact on
product performance of the "Year 2000 Date Problem" for medical devices and scientific
laboratory equipment (biomedical equipment). The information provided, or the linked sites
maintained by manufacturers, have been provided by the manufacturers of the products in
response to the January 21, 1998, request from the Deputy Secretary of the Department of
Health and Human Services.
Many manufacturers have web sites that contain Y2K information regarding their products.
This information may include information on products that are not Y2K Compliant and the
availability of product updates. Attachment 1 contains a list of websites that may be useful in
addressing the Y2K problem.
K> IN 98-30
August 12, 1998 This information notice requires no specific action or written response. If you have any
questions about the information in this notice, ple~as onta tth technical contact listed below
or the appropriate regional office.
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trial and Medical
N rclear Safety
Office of Nuclear Material Safety
and Safeguards
Contact:
Gary Purdy, NMSS
(301) 415-7897 E-mail: gwp1 @nrc.gov
Attachments:
1. Selected Year 2000 Web Sites
2. List of Recently Issued NMSS Information Notices
3. List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices
Attachment 1
August 12, 1998 Selected Year 2000 websites
<http://www.fda.govlcdrh/yr200O/year2000. html>
<hftp://www.gao.gov/special.pubs/publist.htm>
<http:/lwww.nist.gov/y2k>
<http://www.nrc.gov/NRC/NEWS/year2000.html>
<hftp://www.open.gov.uk/bug2O0O.htm>
medical device manufacturers list of Y2K
compliant and non-compliant devices
two Y2K reports
Y2K information, test programs
Information Notices, Generic Letters, links, NEI Report
embedded software information
software compliance information
medical issues (not much radiation
protection)
<http://www.sph.umich.edu/group/eih/UMSCHPS/commercial/>
links to manufacturers and
dosimetry companies
<http://www.intravsn.com/vendors.shtml>
Links to Oncology/Radiology
Commercial Sites
Except for its own website, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission makes no claims of the
accuracy in the information provided at these websites. The list of sites is provided for use by
addressees as a possible source of Y2K information.
,Achment 2 IN 99-30
August 12, 1998 LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUED
NMSS INFORMATION NOTICES
Information
Date of
Notice No.
Subject
Issuance
Issued to
97-91 Recent Failure of Control
8/10198
All industrial radiography
Supp. 1
98-20
98-18
98-17
98-16
98-12
98-10
98-09
Cables Used on Amersham
Model 660 Posilock Radiography
Systems
licensees.
Problems With Emergency
Preparedness Respiratory
Protection Programs
Recent Contamination Incidences
Resulting from Failure to Perform
Adequate Surveys
Federal Bureau of Investigations
(FBI) Awareness of National
Security Issues and Responses
(ANSIR) Program
Inadequate Operational Checks
of Alarm Ratemeters
Licensees' Responsibilities
Regarding Reporting and
Follow-up Requirements for
Nuclear-Powered Pacemakers
Probable Misadministrations
Occurring During Intravascular
Brachytherapy With The
Novoste Beta-Cath System
Collapse of an Isocam II, Dual-
Headed Nuclear Medicine Gamma
Camera
6/3/98
5/13/98
5/7/98
4/30/98
4/3/1998
4/3/98
3/5/98
All holders of operating licenses
for nuclear power reactors; non- power reactors; all fuel cycle and
material licensees required to
have an NRC-approved
Part 35 Medical Licensees
All U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission fuel cycle and power
and non-power reactor licensees
All Industrial Radiography
Licensees
All U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission nuclear pacemaker
licensees
All Medical Licensees
All medical licensees
IKJ
Attachment 3
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N 98-30
August 12, 1998
Page 1 of I
LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUED
NRC INFORMATION NOTICES
Information
Date of
Notice No.
Subject
Issuance
Issued to
98-29
Predicted increase in Fuel Rod
Cladding Oxidation
8/3/98
All holders of operating licenses
for nuclear power reactors, except
those licensees who have
permanently ceased operations
and have certified that fuel has
been permanently removed from
the reactor vessel.
98-28
Development of Systematic
Sample Plan for Operator
Licensing Examinations
Steam Generator Tube End
Cracking
8/3/98
7/24/98
98-27
All holders of operating licenses
for nuclear power plants
All holders of operating licenses
for pressurized-water reactors
except those who have
permanently ceased operation
and have certified that fuel has
been permanently removed for
the reactor vessel
96-48, Sup. 1 Motor-Operated Valve
Performance Issues
7/24/98
All holders of operating licenses
for nuclear power reactors except
those who have permanently
ceased operation and have
certified that fuel has been
permanently removed from the
reactor vessel.
98-26
Settlement Monitoring and
Inspection of Plant Structures
affected by Degradation of Porous
Concrete Subfoundations
7/24/98
All holders of operating licenses
for nuclear power reactors; all
of or applicants for licenses to
operate Independent Spent Fuel
Storage Installations; and
designers and fabricators of
Independent Spent Fuel Storage
Installations.
OL = Operating License
CP = Construction Permit
August 12, 1998 This information notice requires no specific action or written response. If you have any questions about the
information in this notice, please contact the technical contact listed below or the appropriate regional office.
Frederick C. Combs, Acting Director
Division of Industrial and
Medical Nuclear Safety
Office of Nuclear Material Safety
and Safeguards
Contact: Gary Purdy, NMSS/IMNS
(301) 415-7897 E-mail: gwpl@nrc.gov
Attachments:
1. Selected Year 2000 Web Sites
2. List of Recently Issued NMSS Information Notices
3. List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices
DOCUMENT NAME: G:INMSSIN.GWP
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7/17/1998
7123/1998
7/27/1998
7/23/1998
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IN 98-
\\-.August
.1998 This information notice requires no specific action or written response. If you have any
questions about the information in this notice, please contact the technical contact listed below
or the appropriate regional office.
Frederick C. Combs, Acting Director
Division of Industrial and
Medical Nuclear Safety
Office of Nuclear Material Safety
and Safeguards
Contact:
Gary Purdy, NMSS/IMNS
(301) 415-7897 E-mail: gwpl@nrc.gov
Attachments:
1. Selected Year 2000 Web Sites
2. List of Recently Issued NMSS Information Notices
3. List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices
DOCUMENT NAME:
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,1998 This information notice requires no specific action or written response. If you have any
questions about the information in this notice, please contact the technical contact listed below
or the appropriate regional office.
Frederick C. Combs, Acting Dire or
Division of Industrial and Medi
I
Nuclear Safety
Office of Nuclear Material
afety
and Safeguards
Contact:
Gary Purdy, NMSS/IMNS
(301) 415-7897 E-mail: gwpl@nrc.gov
Attachments:
1. Selected Year 2000 Web Sites
2. List of Recently Issued NMSS Information Notices
3. List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices
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questions about the information in this notice, please contact the technical contact listed elow
or the appropriate regional office.
Frederick C. Combs, Actin
irector
Division of Industrial and
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Nuclear Safety
Office of Nuclear Mat
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and Safeguards
Contact:
Gary Purdy, NMSS/AMNS
(301) 415-7897 E-mail: gwpl@nrc.gov
Attachments:
1. Selected Year 2000 Web Sites
2. List of Recently Issued NMSS Information Notices
3. List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices
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IN 98- V...July
,1998 This information notice requires no specific action or written response. If you have any
questions about the information in this notice, please contact the technical contact listed below
or the appropriate regional office.
Frederick C. Combs, Acting Director
Division of Industrial and Medical
Nuclear Safety
Office of Nuclear Material Safety
and Safeguards
Contact:
Gary Purdy, NMSSfIMNS
(301) 415-7897 E-mail: gwpl@nrc.gov
Attachments:
1. Selected Year 2000 Web Sites
2. List of Recently Issued NMSS Information Notices
3. List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices
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IN 98- K. July
,1998 towards commercial nuclear power plants, the general discussion of the elements in Y2K
Readiness Programs could be beneficial to other business entities.
NRC is also preparing its Nuclear Material Management Safeguards System (NMMSS) to be
Y2K compliant. For NRC licensees and certificate holders required to report nuclear material
transactions to NMMSS, from May 1, 1998, through mid-1999, NMMSS will operate in a
manner that allows all nuclear material transaction reports to NMMSS to be either in the current
two-digit year reporting format or in the Y2K compliant four-digit year format. After mid-1 999, only the Y2K compliant format will be acceptable.
Licensees and certificate holders that use their own software to input data into NMMSS will
have to modify it themselves, to be Y2K compliant.
The U.S. Food and Drug Association has established a web site
<http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/yr2000> to provide information regarding the status or impact on
product performance of the "Year 2000 Date Problem" for medical devices and scientific
laboratory equipment (biomedical equipment). The information provided,' or the linked sites
maintained by manufacturers, have been provided by the manufacturers of the products in
response to the January 21, 1998, request from the Deputy Secretdry of the Department of
Health and Human Services.
Many manufacturers have web sites that contain Y2K info ption regarding their products.
This information may include information on products tha3re not Y2K compliant and the
availability of product updates. Attached is a list of webites that may be useful in addressing
the Y2K problem.
/
This information notice requires no specific action or written response. If you have any
questions about the information in this notice, please contact the technical contact listed below
or the appropriate regional office.
Frederick C. Combs, Acting Director
Division of Industrial and
Medical Nuclear Safety
Office of Nuclear Material Safety
and Safeguards
Contact:
Gary Purdy, NMSS/IMNS
(301) 415-7897 E-mail: gwpl @nrc.gov
Attachments:
1. Selected Year 2000 Web Sites
2. List of Recently Issued NMSS Information Notices
DOCUMENT NAME:
G:WNMSSIN.GWP
3. List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices
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7/
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7/
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