The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is in the process of rescinding or revising guidance and policies posted on this webpage in accordance with Executive Order 14151 Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing, and Executive Order 14168 Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government. In the interim, any previously issued diversity, equity, inclusion, or gender-related guidance on this webpage should be considered rescinded that is inconsistent with these Executive Orders.

The NRC is an Independent Regulator

SVG of Independent Regulator Principles of Good Regulation

 

The NRC’s Principals of Good Regulation starts with independence. The NRC makes reactor licensing decisions without undue influence or knowledge. This means the NRC is not a consulting organization -- individual applicants must offer proposed design-specific methods or design changes to meet the NRC’s regulations. The NRC-approved methods by which an applicant can meet the regulations are published in regulatory guidesinterim staff guidance, and (in limited cases) NUREGs. Applicants may ask whether a design component or design-specific method meets the regulations in various ways, such as utilizing public meetings and submitting white papers for review. The NRC’s response will be publicly available unless the underlying information is protected due to proprietary or other sensitive aspects governed by the regulations in 10 CFR 2.390.

Page Last Reviewed/Updated Monday, February 3, 2025