**NRC INSPECTION MANUAL**	IRAB

INSPECTION MANUAL CHAPTER 0612 APPENDIX B

# ISSUE SCREENING DIRECTIONS

Effective Date: 08/09/2023

Issue Date: 08/09/23	2	0612 App B

Figure 1: Issue Screening

Use IMC 0612 Appendix G, “Emergency Planning Cornerstone - Specific Supplemental Guidance for Appendix B Screening Figures 1 and 2” as a supplement to Appendix B when screening Emergency Planning issues.****

Figure 2: Issue Screening (Traditional Enforcement)

Use IMC 0612 Appendix G, “Emergency Planning Cornerstone - Specific Supplemental Guidance for Appendix B Screening Figures 1 and 2” as a supplement to Appendix B when screening Emergency Planning issues.

Issue Date: 08/07/23	1	0612 App B

Additional Guidance to Clarify Figures

Inspectors will not use the Reactor Oversight Process (ROP) screening process to screen traditional enforcement violations, but will use that process to screen their underlying performance deficiencies if any exist. Inspectors will separate traditional enforcement violations from their underlying performance deficiencies and disposition those traditional enforcement violations using the examples and guidance in the Enforcement Manual and Enforcement Policy.

When dispositioning performance deficiencies associated with traditional enforcement violations, inspectors will not consider the traditional enforcement aspect as part of the ROP performance deficiency.

Very Low Safety Significance Issue Resolution (VLSSIR) is a Process used to discontinue inspection, screening, and evaluation of an issue involving only a licensing basis question. Issue screening shall be discontinued and a VLSSIR will be documented in the report when either Criterion 1 or 2 is met:

Criterion 1: The following are met:

· The inspection staff has not been able to conclude that the issue of concern is a violation or licensee standard, as described in block 3, after considering any licensee provided supporting information on why the issue of concern is not in its licensing basis and any relevant information developed during the inspection process.

· The condition surrounding the issue of concern cannot have any potential to be greater than green (i.e., not greater than very low significance if the issue was determined to be a finding evaluated using the SDP) nor greater than Severity Level IV if the issue was determined to be a violation subject to traditional enforcement.

· The resources required to resolve the current licensing basis question would not effectively and efficiently serve the Agency’s mission.

Criterion 2: The issue of concern was evaluated using Office Instruction COM-106, “Technical Assistance Request (TAR) Process” and recommended for no further action because the licensing basis standing is indeterminate and the TAR Safety Significance Determination has determined the issue to be of very low significance and the issue would not be subject to escalated enforcement if determined to be a violation.

Cases may arise where clarification of a requirement through generic processes, interim staff guidance, or other appropriate means may be necessary, outside of inspection and assessment, to address broader safety and regulatory concerns.

See the TAR Process for further information how to address current licensing basis questions that do not meet the above criteria.

Open URIs may be assessed using the above criteria to determine whether they should be closed using the VLSSIR process.

Issue Date: 08/09/23	12	0612 App B

Cornerstone Objectives and Attribute Tables

Attachment 1: Revision History for IMC 0612 Appendix B

Issue Date: 08/09/23	Att1-3	0612 App B

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