TH18 Quality Assurance: The Foundation for the Safe Operation of Nuclear Power Plants

Quality Assurance (QA) is key to the NRC’s statutory mission of protecting public health and safety, promoting the common defense and security, and protecting the environment. However, the implementation of the QA requirements from Appendix B to 10 CFR Part 50 continues to be a challenge for current licensees, applicants for advanced and small modular reactors, and suppliers of basic components. This session will provide guidance and clarification to some of the most challenging concepts in the area of QA.

This session will cover the following topics: (1) the application of graded QA for the regulatory treatment of nonsafety systems, and systems classified as non-safety related with special treatment, including risk and procurement requirements; (2) Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission's classification and clarification of important to safety and safety-related systems; (3) current challenges faced by the industry when implementing QA requirements and the truths and myths when implementing the NQA-1 QA standard; and (4) the role of Appendix B to 10 CFR Part 50 in the licensing process and pathways for meeting Appendix B to 10 CFR Part 50.

Learning objectives include an increased awareness and more thorough understanding on the implementation of QA requirements and the current technical and regulatory challenges faced by licensees, applicants, and suppliers in an ever-changing nuclear world. Session attendees will gain insights in how to successfully continue to implement their QA programs to provide adequate confidence that structures, systems, and components continue to perform satisfactorily in service.

• Kerri Kavanagh, Chief, Quality Assurance and Vendor Inspection Branch, Division of Reactor Oversight, NRR/NRC

   

• Opening Remarks
  Kerri Kavanagh, Chief, Quality Assurance and Vendor Inspection Branch, Division of Reactor Oversight, NRR/NRC
• Quality Assurance and SMR Supply Chain Experience in Canada
  Brandon Johnston, Director, Management System Division, Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
• The Role of Appendix B to 10 CFR Part 50 in the NRC's Licensing Process & Pathways for Meeting Appendix B to 10 CFR Part 50
  Yamir Diaz-Castillo, Reactor Operations Engineer (QA Inspector) Quality Assurance and Vendor Inspection Branch, Division of Reactor Oversight, NRR/NRC
• Quality Assurance Requirements for Non-Safety-Related Special Treatment Components
  Aixa Belen, Senior Reactor Operations Engineer, Quality Assurance and Vendor Inspection Branch, Division of Reactor Oversight, NRR/NRC
• Addressing Industry Challenges in NQA-1 Implementation: Insights and Efforts by the NQA Committee
  Taunia Jean Sandquist, Chair, Nuclear Quality Assurance Executive Committee, Los Alamos National Laboratory

• Yamir Diaz-Castillo, Reactor Operations Engineer (QA Inspector) Quality Assurance and Vendor Inspection Branch, Division of Reactor Oversight, NRR/NRC e-mail: Yamir.Diaz-Castillo@nrc.gov
• Frankie Vega, Reactor Operations Engineer (QA Inspector) Quality Assurance and Vendor Inspection Branch, Division of Reactor Oversight, NRR/NRC e-mail: Frankie.Vega@nrc.gov