Document: NRC Regulatory Guide
Document ID: b4874b3a-bbf8-4eb6-8b86-db32ecf45ac6
Document Type: regulatory_guide
Title: Guidance for Implementation of 10 CFR 50.59, Changes, Tests, and Experiments (Rev. 2)
Source: NRC Regulatory Guide Division 1
Source URL: https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML1904/ML19045A435.pdf
Revision Date: 2023-06
Chapter: 
Section ID: RG-1.187
CFR Part: 
CFR Title: 

Content:
applicable parts to resolve regulatory or inspection issues. Use by NRC Staff The NRC staff does not intend or approve any imposition or backfitting of the guidance in this RG. The NRC staff does not expect any existing licensee to use or commit to using the guidance in this RG, unless the licensee makes a change to its licensing basis. The NRC staff does not expect or plan to request licensees to voluntarily adopt this RG to resolve a generic regulatory issue. The NRC staff does not expect or plan to initiate NRC regulatory action which would require the use of this RG. Examples of such unplanned NRC regulatory actions include issuance of an order requiring the use of the RG, requests for information under 10 CFR 50.54(f) as to whether a licensee intends to commit to use of this RG, generic communication, or promulgation of a rule requiring the use of this RG without further backfit consideration. During regulatory discussions on plant specific operational issues, the staff may discuss with licensees various actions consistent with staff positions in this RG, as one acceptable means of meeting the underlying NRC regulatory requirement. Such discussions would not ordinarily be considered backfitting even if prior versions of this RG are part of the licensing basis of the facility. However, unless this RG is part of the license for a facility, the staff may not represent to the licensee that the licensee’s failure to comply with the positions in this RG constitutes a violation. If an existing licensee voluntarily seeks a license amendment or change and (1) the NRC staff’s consideration of the request involves a regulatory issue directly relevant to this new or revised RG and (2) the specific subject matter of this RG is an essential consideration in the staff’s determination of the acceptability of the licensee’s request, then the staff may request that the licensee either follow the guidance in this RG or provide an equivalent alternative process that