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How We Regulate

This diagram gives an overview of NRC's regulatory process which has five main components (1) developing regulations and guidance for our applicants and licensees, (2) licensing or certifying applicants to use nuclear materials or operate nuclear facilities, (3) overseeing licensee operations and facilities to ensure that licensees comply with safety requirements, (4) evaluating operational experience at licensed facilities or involving licensed activities, and (5) conducting research, holding hearings to address the concerns of parties affected by agency decisions, and obtaining independent reviews to support our regulatory decisions.

The following activities are key components of our regulatory program.

Regulations and Guidance

Rulemaking-RuleForum - developing and amending regulations that licensees must meet to obtain or retain a license or certificate to use nuclear materials or operate a nuclear facility

Guidance Development - developing and revising guidance documents, such as regulatory guides, standard review plans, and NRC's Inspection Manual to aid licensees in meeting safety requirements

Generic Communications - sending applicants and licensees information about events or requests for information about regulatory requirements, some of which require response

Standards Development - working with industry standards organizations to develop consensus standards associated with systems, equipment, or materials used by the nuclear industry so that these standards may be referenced in NRC regulations or guidance

Licensing and Certification

Licensing - authorizing an applicant to use or transport nuclear materials or to operate a nuclear facility (includes new licenses, renewals, amendments, transfers and related Topical Reports)

Certification - authorizing an applicant to manufacture spent fuel casks, transportation packages for nuclear materials, and sealed sources and devices and authorizing an applicant to operate a gaseous diffusion plant

Oversight

Inspection - verifying that a licensee's activities are properly conducted to ensure safe operations in accordance with NRC's regulations

Enforcement - issuing sanctions to licensees who violate NRC regulations

Assessment of Performance - determining appropriate agency action from reviews of licensee performance documented in inspection reports and performance indicators

Allegations- responding to reports of wrongdoing by NRC licensees, applicants for licenses, or licensee contractors or vendors

Investigations - investigating wrongdoing by NRC licensees

Operational Experience

Events Assessment - daily review and long term trend analysis of accidents and other reportable incidents to determine the appropriate regulatory response

Generic Issues - identifying and resolving safety issues that affect more than one licensed facility.

Support for Decisions

Research - experiments, technical studies, and analyses to help NRC make realistic decisions, assess the safety significance of potential technical issues, and prepare the agency for the future by evaluating potential safety issues involving new designs and technology

Advisory Activities - review and independent assessment of regulatory proposals by independent advisory bodies reporting to or chartered by the Commission

Adjudication- listening to concerns of parties affected by licensing or enforcement actions in a legal setting

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Last revised Monday, September 13, 2004