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Current Reviews of Standards by NRC

Tom Boyce, NRC/RES/RGDBNuclear Energy Standards Coordination Collaborative

(NESCC)November 7, 2013

Standards Database

• As a reminder, the Standards Database v1.0 can be found at: – http://

publicaa.ansi.org/sites/apdl/NESCCDocs/Forms/standardsdatabase.aspx

• ANSI has provided a second intern to further populate the database

• NRC staff is developing a SQL-based database that will more easily show relationships between regulatory guidance and standards

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Request to SDOs for a “Top 5” priority list

• In May 2013, the Standards Database Task Group requested that the SDOs in NESCC:

– Identify the most recent version of the standards that are currently referenced in NRC Regulatory Guides (RGs)

– Describe the differences between the most recent version and the currently referenced version.

– Identify a “Top 5” list of standards that the SDOs would like to have NRC endorse

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SDO Responses

• 10 of 23 SDOs responded, in a variety of formats, with 27 standards. The NRC is addressing the standards:– 1 standard – NRC completed a review of the standard and

had already incorporated it into a June 2013 revision of RG 1.137, Diesel Fuel Oil. (NACE)

– 1 standards – NRC is evaluating as part of revisions to RG 8.22, “Bioassay at Uranium Mills” (HPS)

– 25 standards - NRC placed in its tracking system to review them as part of updates to RGs currently in progress or during periodic (5 year) reviews of the RGs. (AISC, API, ASTM, ASQ, NFPA, AWS)

• 2 SDOs provided insufficient information to warrant NRC resources to review (ASCE, MSS)

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Standards in RGs issued in FY 2012/13

• 9 SDOs RepresentedACI AWS

ANS HI

ANSI HPS

ASME IEEE

ASTM• ~ 35 revised or new RGs issued

– Direct endorsements = ~ 37 Standards – References in RGs = ~ 56 Standards

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Standards in RGs issued 2012/2013

• Handout listing specific standards on NESCC site• Conclusion is that NRC staff typically reviewed the

latest standards as part of the RG revision• Exceptions to endorsement or reference of the latest

standards due to:– Timing of RG development– Discussion of referenced standard is specific to older version

• Few cases where the latest standard was not endorsed or referenced

• RGDB started ensuring consideration of standards in August 2013 with initiation of Standards Database v1.0.

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How to get NRC to review your std?

• One process– Send a letter to the NRC Standards Executive (Mike Case);

Reg Guide branch coordinates response across NRC offices– Issues: Reviewing is separate from endorsing; based on

review, need NRC technical lead to initiate RG update; SRP only updated intermittently

• Better process– Get an NRC representative to participate in developing the

standard– Get an informal commitment from the NRC representative to

consider the standard in a RG or SRP– Send a letter to the NRC Standards Executive– Issue: More likely to get NRC tech lead to initiate RG update

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How to get NRC to review your std?

• Another process• When you revise your standards, address the NRC’s

exceptions in the Reg Guides• Reg Guide branch initiated a system of periodic (5-year)

reviews of RGs (~450 RGs) in May 2012• Reg Guide branch established a web site for feedback on RGs

in October 2012 at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/reg-guides/contactus.html

• Describe the importance of the changes in the newer standard. NRC will review comments upon receipt, but will fully evaluate during the next periodic review of the affected RGs

• Issues: Delayed feedback on acceptability of standard; no direct feedback if NRC decides not to update the RG

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FAQs• It’s newer! Why doesn’t NRC review & endorse it?

– Has NRC been asked? How?– NRC resource decision (Value = Benefits vs. costs)

• What are the new technical or regulatory issues that are addressed?

• How significant are they?• Who do the issues affect and to what extent (license

applications or NRC inspections)?• What are the NRC resources needed to review and

update?– Are there relaxations/degradation of safety margins?

• Why does NRC stay with older standards?– Adequate for safety, consistent with NRC mission– Little or no demand from end users (license applications)– Limited resources to review and update

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Questions

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