NRC proposes changes to its rules on nuclear materials

In response to Executive Order 14300, "Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission," the NRC is proposing sweeping changes to its rules governing the use of nuclear materials that are widely used in industry, medicine, and research. The changes would amend NRC regulations for the licensing of nuclear byproduct material, some source material, and some special nuclear material.

As published in the May 18 Federal Register, the NRC is seeking public comment on this proposed rule and draft interim guidance until July 2.

Comments on the proposed changes can be submitted through the federal rulemaking website using Docket ID NRC-2025-1205.

The benefits: According to the NRC, the proposed rule would streamline licensing for widely used activities such as medical imaging, cancer diagnostics, industrial radiography, and well logging, making it faster and more predictable for professionals to operate without compromising safety. The updates are also intended to reduce paperwork for low-risk products and modernize requirements to better reflect current technologies and risk levels.

"This proposal reflects a smarter, more modern approach to regulation, one that maintains our high safety standards while making it easier to deliver important medical, industrial, and research benefits," said NRC Chairman Ho Nieh.

According to a draft regulatory analysis conducted by the NRC, the proposed rule and associated guidance would result in net savings to the agency, industry, and NRC agreement states of nearly $3 million.

Major provisions: The proposed rule includes changes to NRC regulations under Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 30, 31, 32, 34, 39, 40, 70, and 150.

According to the NRC, major provisions of the proposed rule include the following changes:

• Revision of the table of radionuclide activity values used for determining decommissioning financial assurance for sealed and unsealed radioactive materials.
• Establishment of a new class of general licenses, called standard general licenses, to address anticompetitive barriers.
• Streamlining of requirements for the distribution of exempt byproduct material and source material.
• Establishment of distribution pathways for microsources.
• Revision of the definition of "consortium" to address anticompetitive barriers.
• Revision of administrative requirements for industrial radiography to reduce anticompetitive barriers and modernization of radiography regulations.
• Modernization of well logging regulations.
• Streamlining of requirements for agreement state licensees in 10 CFR Part 150.

Along with the proposed rule, the NRC has prepared interim staff guidance documents (Guidance for the Implementation of 10 CFR Part 31 Subpart C Standard General Licenses and Guidance on Reciprocity).