The Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS) is statutorily mandated by the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended. The Committee has four primary purposes:

• to review and report on safety studies and reactor facility license and license renewal applications;
• to advise the Commission on the hazards of proposed and existing production and utilization facilities and the adequacy of proposed safety standards;
• to initiate reviews of specific generic matters or nuclear facility safety-related items; and
• to provide advice in the areas of health physics and radiation protection.

At the request of the Commission, the ACRS also reviews the NRC's Research Activities and provides a biannual report (NUREG-1635) to the Commission. Upon request from the Department of Energy, the ACRS reviews and provides reports on U.S. Naval reactor designs under a reimbursable agreement. Upon request, and with the Commission's consent, the ACRS is required to provide advice to the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board in accordance with Public Law 100-456.

The ACRS is independent of the NRC staff and reports directly to the Commission, which appoints its members. The operational practices of the ACRS are governed by the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). Advisory committees are structured to provide a forum where experts representing many technical perspectives can provide independent advice that is factored into the Commission's decisionmaking process. Most Committee meetings are open to the public and any member of the public may request an opportunity to make an oral statement during the committee meeting. Those who wish to do so should contact the ACRS contact indicated on the Public Meeting Schedule page.

See the following for more information:

• Procedures for ACRS Meetings
• ACRS Membership
• ACRS History
• ACRS Charter
• ACRS Bylaws