[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 246 (Tuesday, December 23, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67100-67101]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-33420]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION


Consolidated Guidance About Materials Licenses: Program-Specific 
Guidance About Self-Shielded Irradiator Licenses; Availability of Draft 
NUREG

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Notice of availability and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is announcing the 
availability of and requesting comment on draft NUREG-1556, Volume 5, 
``Consolidated Guidance about Materials Licenses: Program-Specific 
Guidance about Self-Shielded Irradiator Licenses,'' dated October 1997.
    NRC is using Business Process Redesign (BPR) techniques to redesign 
its materials licensing process, as described in NUREG-1539, 
``Methodology and Findings of the NRC's Materials Licensing Process 
Redesign.'' A critical element of the new process is consolidating and 
updating numerous guidance documents into a NUREG-series of reports. 
This draft NUREG report is the fifth program-specific guidance 
developed to support an improved materials licensing process.
    It is intended for use by applicants, licensees, NRC license 
reviewers, and other NRC personnel. It combines and updates the 
guidance for applicants and licensees previously found in Regulatory 
Guide 10.9, ``Guide for the Preparation of Applications for Licenses 
for the Use of Self-Contained Dry Source-Storage Gamma Irradiators,'' 
dated December 1988, and the guidance for licensing staff previously 
found in Policy and Guidance Directive, FC 84-16, Revision 1, 
``Standard Review Plan for Applications for Use of Self-Contained Dry 
Source-Storage Gamma Irradiators,'' dated January 26, 1989. In 
addition, this draft report also contains information found in 
pertinent Technical Assistance Requests and Information Notices.
    This draft report takes a risk-informed, performance-based approach 
to licensing self-shielded irradiators, i.e., it reduces the amount of

[[Page 67101]]

information needed from an applicant seeking to possess and use a 
relatively safe device. These self-shielded irradiators contain sealed 
sources of radioactive material and incorporate features engineered to 
enhance their safety. NRC's considerable experience with these 
licensees indicates that radiation exposures to workers are generally 
low, if the irradiators operate as designed and workers follow basic 
safety procedures.
    This draft report is strictly for public comment and is NOT for use 
in preparing or reviewing applications for self-shielded irradiators 
until it is published in final form. It is being distributed for 
comment to encourage public participation in its development.

DATES: The comment period ends March 23, 1998. Comments received after 
that time will be considered if practicable.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to: Chief, Rules and Directives 
Branch, Division of Administrative Services, Office of Administration, 
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001. Hand 
deliver comments to 11545 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland, between 
7:15 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Federal workdays. Comments may also be 
submitted through the Internet by addressing electronic mail to 
[email protected].
    Those considering public comment may request a free single copy of 
draft NUREG-1556, Volume 5, by writing to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission, ATTN: Mrs. Patricia C. Vacca, Mail Stop TWFN 8F5, 
Washington, DC 20555-0001. Alternatively, submit requests through the 
Internet by addressing electronic mail to [email protected]. A copy of draft 
NUREG-1556, Volume 5, is also available for inspection and/or copying 
for a fee in the NRC Public Document Room, 2120 L Street, NW. (Lower 
Level), Washington, DC 20555-0001

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mrs. Patricia C. Vacca, Mail Stop TWFN 
8-F5, Division of Industrial and Medical Nuclear Safety, Office of 
Nuclear Materials Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission, Washington, DC 20555, telephone (301) 415-7908; electronic 
mail address: [email protected].

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 16th day of December 1997.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Larry W. Camper,
Chief, Medical, Academic, and Commercial Use Safety Branch, Division of 
Industrial and Medical Nuclear Safety, Office of Nuclear Material 
Safety and Safeguards.
[FR Doc. 97-33420 Filed 12-22-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-M