NRC Proposes to Amend Packaging and Transportation Material Regulations

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued a proposed rule to amend regulations for packaging and transportation of radioactive material, to harmonize NRC regulations with Department of Transportation regulations and International Atomic Energy Agency standards. The rule proposes to make the regulation of quality assurance programs “more efficient” by allowing certain changes -- ones that do not alter quality assurance approval holder commitments -- to be made without prior approval from the NRC. The rule also proposes to extend the duration of quality assurance program approvals so they don't expire, and revise current quality assurance program approvals so they too would not expire. The changes would also clarify the responsibilities of general licensees, and further limit the shipping of fissile material under a general license. Comments on the information-collection sections of the proposed rule are due June 17 and can be submitted to www.regulations.gov. Comments on the remainder of the rule are due July 30. Read the proposed rule (here).