Regulations & Legislation

NRC regulations, codified in Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR), impose binding requirements that licensees must meet to obtain or retain authorization to use nuclear materials or operate a nuclear facility. They govern power plants, research reactors, fuel and uranium mill facilities, waste repositories, and the medical, industrial, and academic use and transportation of nuclear materials, and are organized by subject matter in the electronic CFR.

The NRC's authority traces to the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 and the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, which created the Commission and split nuclear regulation from weapons development and promotion. Related laws, including the Nuclear Waste Policy Act, the Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act, and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act, define NRC's waste and non-proliferation duties. The Administrative Procedure Act and NEPA govern its regulatory processes.

Rulemaking is the process by which the NRC develops, amends, or repeals its 10 CFR regulations. Proposed rules are published in the Federal Register for public comment, and any person may petition the NRC to issue, amend, or repeal a rule. The process includes regulatory analysis, procedural requirements, and opportunities for public involvement before a rule is finalized. Current actions open for comment are listed on NRC's Documents for Comment page and Regulations.gov.

NRC guidance documents explain how applicants, licensees, and staff can meet regulatory requirements without themselves carrying the force of a rule. Regulatory guides, issued across ten subject areas such as power reactors, materials, and transportation, describe acceptable methods for complying with NRC regulations. Standard review plans, published in the NUREG series, guide NRC staff review of license applications. Both undergo public and stakeholder review before being finalized.