In that paper, the staff committed to providing a future paper for policy review regarding the use of industry operational experience in the IN development process. INs are a type of generic communication that is normally used to bring significant safety, security, or environmental information to the attention of licensees. Licensees are expected to review the information for applicability to their facilities and consider actions appropriate to avoid similar problems. However, an IN is not used to convey or imply new requirements or to transmit new interpretations of regulations. INs do not require or request a response or any specific actions.
INs serve an important role in the communication of operational experience to licensees.
Licensees have an operational experience review program that assesses NRC INs as well as other sources of information. Although no response to an IN is required, licensees do take actions to avoid similar problems, when appropriate. INs are also public documents that are given visibility by wide distribution and posting on the Internet. Alternate sources of operational experience information are currently being provided to licensees. Industry notices are included, along with NRC notices, in the enforcement policy as examples of missed opportunities to identify a problem.