Generic Communications Program

Generic communications are the NRC's primary method of communicating a common need for information or resolution approach regarding an issue, or communicating NRC's position and information on issues pertaining to a matter of regulatory interest. Generic communications also allow the NRC to communicate and share industry experiences and send information to specific classes of licensees and interested stakeholders. The type of generic communication issued is determined during NRC evaluations of the operating nuclear industry and regulatory activities. Once issued, a generic communication is placed in the Agencywide Documents Access and Management System ( ADAMS ) as an official NRC record. The generic communication is then electronically sent out to subscribers and posted to the NRC external Web site.

Several types of generic communications are listed below:

• Bulletins typically contain urgent requests for information or actions relative to the NRC's regulatory arena and typically require responses.
• Generic Letters typically request information or actions relative to the NRC's regulatory arena and typically require responses.
• Regulatory Issue Summaries typically communicate or clarify NRC technical or policy positions on regulatory matters. They may also request the voluntary participation in activities or the voluntary submittal of information which will assist the NRC in the performance of its functions.
• Information Notices transmit information focused on operational events or analytical experience.
• Circulars relate to safety, safeguards, or environmental issues and require no reply. (Discontinued.)
• Administrative Letters transmit information of a non-technical nature or request administrative information on a voluntary basis. (Discontinued.)