NRC Proposes Revision of Security Rules

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) released a proposed rule April 8 to revise physical protection requirements for certain radioactive materials. The proposed rule is part of a series of NRC efforts to revise various components of its regulations to meet the requirements of the Trump administration’s NRC reform executive order. This proposed rule is intended to reduce regulatory burdens related to security of category 1 and 2 quantities of radioactive materials, including blood irradiators and certain radiation oncology devices within licensed healthcare facilities.

If finalized, the rule would extend required training, testing, maintenance and local law enforcement coordination from every 12 months to every three years. In addition, the rule would eliminate the requirement that licensees verify the presence of these materials on a weekly basis. NRC estimates that the proposals would save industry $11.3 million each year.

Comments about the proposed rule are due to NRC May 11. To help ACR^® develop its comment submission, contact Lindsay Robbins, ACR Regulatory Policy Specialist.