Document: NRC Regulatory Guide
Document ID: 5810150e-ee20-4cd1-b72f-6e918a603f73
Document Type: regulatory_guide
Title: Applications for Nuclear Power Plants (Rev. 1)
Source: NRC Regulatory Guide Division 1
Source URL: https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML1523/ML15233A056.pdf
Revision Date: 2023-06
Chapter: 
Section ID: RG-1.206
CFR Part: 
CFR Title: 

Content:
in the preapplication phase. Under 10 CFR 52.57, an application for DC renewal could alternatively include design changes after the freeze point; however, the time between certification of the DC and the expected renewal request could be significant. The entire DCD (i.e., the version of the DCD last approved for incorporation by reference) is updated as required by 10 CFR 52.57(a) to include corrections of errors, typographical corrections, and defects (as defined in 10 CFR Part 21 “Reporting of Defects and Noncompliance”), which are known by the DC renewal applicant, as well as any additional design changes. Revising the DC through rulemaking or incorporating changes through the DC renewal process increases schedule risk for COLs and COLAs incorporating by reference the DC. COL applicants should decide whether to propose departures from the original DC or incorporate an amended DC or face a similar decision related to incorporating by reference the current certified design or the DCD for renewal either under review by the NRC or pending submission for review. An example of information that may change frequently during a review relates to the fuel assembly design described in a particular DC application. In this example, a DC application or an amendment to a DC application is being reviewed by the NRC staff, and the reactor vendor identifies a proposed enhancement to its fuel assembly design. Supporting documents for the revised fuel assembly design may even have been submitted to the NRC for review and, in some cases, may already have been reviewed and approved by the NRC. The change in the fuel assembly design then becomes a departure recommended by the vendor for future COLAs or COL applicants that incorporate by reference the certified design. The COL applicant may propose to use the changed fuel design in its COLA or may continue to reference the certified design, including the original fuel assembly design, and submit the appropriate LAR and FSAR updates