ML20141K058
| ML20141K058 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 05/16/1997 |
| From: | Johansen J, Mcgrath J NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20141K011 | List: |
| References | |
| REF-QA-99990001-970520 99990001-97-05, 99990001-97-10, 99990001-97-5, EA-97-145, NUDOCS 9705280300 | |
| Download: ML20141K058 (3) | |
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U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION REGION I ENFORCEMENT CONFERENCE REPORT EA No.97-145 Report No.
999-90001/97-010 Docket No.
999-90001 License No. N/A Licensee:
Cartier. Inc.
Two Coroorate Drive Shelton Connecticut 06484 i
Facility Name:
Cartier. Inc.
l Conference at:
U.S. Nuclear Reaulatorv Commission 475 Allendale Road Kino of Prussia. PA i
Conference Conducted:
May 15.1997 at 1:00 om j
Prepared by:
d.
6~ Ib 7
/ John R. McGra'th,
' date Senior Health Physicist
/C/f)
Approved by:
J
[/enny 101.Mohariiren, Chief
/date' Nuclear Materials Safety Branch 3 Division of Nuclear Materials Safety Pre-decisional Enforcement Conference Summary: An open pre-decisional enforcement conference was conducted on May 15,1997, to discuss the apparent violation identified as a result of NRC inspection No. 999-90001/97-005. Enforcement options available to the Commission were discussed. The licensee described the events surrounding the occurrence of the violation and the corrective actions taken.
RETURN ORIGINAL TO REGION I 9705280300 970520 REG 1 GA999 ENV*****
99990001 PDR s.
Details 1.0 Attendees Cartier. Inc.
Gary M. Saage, Jr., Vice President - Finance Joyce D. Brown, Vice President for Operations Richard A. Meserve, Counsel, Covington and Burling NRC A. Randolph Blough, Director, Division of Nuclear Materials Safety Jenny M. Johansen, Chief, Nuclear Materials Safety Branch 3 John R. McGrath, Senior Health Physicist J. Bradley Fewell, Regional Counsel Daniel J. Holody, Manager, ORA Nader Mamish, OE (by phone) 2.0 Summary On May 15,1997, Region I conducted a predecisional enforcement conference with Cartier, Inc. Mr. Blough opened the conference by stating that the purpose of the meeting was to provide the licensee an opportunity to discuss the events surrounding the apparent violation and provide any additional information that the NRC should consider in its enforcement deliberations including corrective actions that Cartier has taken.
Mr. Saage began by thanking the NRC for the opportunity to present their views.
Cartier, Inc. particularly appreciated the accuracy and tone of the press release issued by NRC regarding the enforcement conference. Mr. Saage summarized the events as he understood them regarding how the company became aware of the need for an NRC license to distribute tritium watches. Cartier had been distributing watches containing tritium since 1985. In 1995, a Cartier lawyer became aware (through what specific means, Mr. Saage did not know) that there were regulatory requirements associated with the distribution of tritium watches. This individual, however, left the company in February of 1996, and an application was not submitted to NRC until April 1996. Cartier received a deficiency letter from NRC headquarters in November 1996 and because of the technical detail of the letter, Mr. Saage contacted a consultant to assist in preparing a response. This consultant declined to assist Cartier in the matter and in January 1997, Cartier approached Covington and Burling for assistance. Mr. Richard Meserve of Covington and Burling suggested that they contact NRC immediately to indicate that they had been distributing watches since 1985 and to cease distribution immediately. Mr.
Meserve had conversations with NMSS concerning these issues and Cartier ceased distribution on January 25,1997. Mr. Saage stated that at no time during the i
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months after the Aprl 1996 application was submitted did Cartier personnel believe l
that there was any problem with continued distribution while awaiting their NRC
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license. Mr. Meserve emphasized that.when he advised Cartier to cease further i
distribution of the watches, Cartier immediately complied, All distribution to their suppliers was stopped and watches were recalled from their own stores.
i Mr. Meserve presented a copy of the license issued by NRC headquarters on April 29,1997, which now authorized distribution of. timepieces to persons exempt from.
licensing pursuant to 10 CFR.32.14. ' Cartier resumed distribution of watches based on issuance of the license.
lJ In conclusion, the licensee emphasized that since they were not familiar with NRC '
l requirements and did not believe that there were any health and safety implication l
for.any of the devices, they had taken no action. Nonetheless, they were now fully sensitized to NRC requirements and were committed to meeting the regulatory requirements.
Mr. Holody then explained the enforcement options available to the' Commission.
The meeting was adjourned.
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