Document: NRC Regulatory Guide
Document ID: a5ee4c78-1135-4bb6-8d54-e974a3402f87
Document Type: regulatory_guide
Title: An Approach for Plant-Specific, Risk-Informed Decisionmaking: Graded Quality Assurance
Source: NRC Regulatory Guide Division 1
Source URL: https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML1221/ML12216A017.pdf
Revision Date: 2023-06
Chapter: 
Section ID: RG-1.176
CFR Part: 
CFR Title: 

Content:
ignificance ranking and the grading of QA controls. For example, because of the emphasis on QA considerations in the GQA process, QA and procurement engineering personnel may be assigned to the panel. The expert panel is responsible for determining the safety significance of the system functions and SSCs. The panel should evaluate traditional engineering, probabilistic, and qualitative information available regarding the systems and system functions within the defined scope of the GQA program changes. The evaluation should include either resolving or approving the resolution of the quantitative and qualitative issues addressed in Regulatory Positions 2.1.2.1 and 2.1.2.2. Safety significance may be determined using guidelines related to prevention and mitigation of core damage, as well as containment integrity and LERF. Factors such as potential common mode failures, human errors, defense in depth, the importance of plant equipment used for emergency preparedness and plant monitoring functions, and the maintenance of safety margins should also be fully considered. 3. ELEMENT 3: DEVELOP IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING STRATEGIES This section addresses the first, second, third and fifth principles for risk-informed decisionmaking. The objective of the GQA effort is to implement a GQA program that provides a reasonable level of confidence that plant SSCs will be capable of performing their intended functions. The extent of QA controls will be determined by the relative safety significance and safety functions performed by the equipment to which those controls are applied. The licensee's revised GQA program should specifically identify how the criterion in Appendix B to 10 CFR Part 50 will be satisfied. The licensee may adjust the elements of the QA program as deemed necessary to provide a reasonable level of confidence that the SSCs will be .capable of performing their intended function. The licensee will demonstrate that the proposed program, in total, is sufficient to