ML20191A272

05B - 10 CFR 50.55a Rulemaking Plans / Embark for Industry / U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Materials Programs Technical Information Exchange Public Meeting on July 14, 2020

ML20191A272
Person / Time
Issue date:	07/14/2020
From:	Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To:
Rezai A, 301-415-1328
References
Download: ML20191A272 (6)

Text

Streamlining 10 CFR Part 50.55a July 14, 2020 Materials Exchange Public Meeting

EMBARK Venture Studios Effort

• EMBARK Venture Studios initiated a project to develop ideas for transforming NRCs processes regarding ASME Code and Code Cases.

• Focused on:

1) improved clarity of 10 CFR 50.55a.

2) more efficient process for approving ASME codes and standards.

3) reduction of unnecessary regulatory burden, while achieving the NRCs safety objectives.

• Identified three recommendations 2

Streamlining Recommendations

1) Relax the Requirement to Update Inservice Inspection and Inservice Testing Programs Every 10 Years.

• Stakeholder agreed this would have minimal impact on safety and provide flexibility to industry.

• Would occur following the next update to 2019 ASME BPV Code or the 2020 ASME OM Code.

• Licensees would adopt these later editions prior to taking advantage of this flexibility.

Streamlining Recommendations

2) Institute Direct-Final Rules for Unconditionally Approved Code Cases.

• Increased efficiency would benefit both the NRC and US nuclear industry.

• Direct final rule approach may not be suitable for Code Cases with proposed conditions.

3) Decrease the Frequency of Code Edition Rulemakings.

• With Recommendation (1), there is no longer strong driver to incorporate by reference new code editions into

§50.55a on a 2-year cycle.

Sample Schedule

• The above is just one example of the rulemaking schedule.

• Code edition rulemaking could contain each edition released since last rulemaking or only the latest edition.

• Technical review of each edition would be documented as each edition is released.

Current Status

• Recommendation (1) will involve rulemaking.

o However, all three recommendations are inter-related such that it may not be feasible to implement one recommendation without implementing all of them.

o This recommendation is outside the scope of routine ASME Code updates o Requires rulemaking plan and approval by the Commission

• NRC staff is currently discussing the best path forward in pursuing rulemaking for these recommendations.