AMENDMENTS TO MATERIAL CONTROL AND ACCOUNTING REGULATIONS

An overview is presented to discuss the progress of the proposed rule to amend 10 CFR part 74: Material Control and Accounting for Special Nuclear Material. This part details the requirements for material control and accounting (MC&A) of special nuclear material (SNM) for fuel cycle facilities and other licensees possessing SNM. The goal of this rulemaking is to revise and consolidate MC&A requirements in order to update, clarify, and strengthen them. The proposed rule and the notice of availability of the associated guidance were published in the Federal Register for public comment on November 8, 2013. The amendments include relocating some MC&A requirements from other 10 CFR chapters to consolidate MC&A requirements in part 74. Additional changes include revision of general performance objectives; addition of definitions; revision of MC&A exemptions; enhancement of the tamper-safing program; and designation of material balance areas, item control areas, and custodians. This paper will discuss the proposed rule changes to 10 CFR part 74 and public involvement and input during this rulemaking process. This revision of regulations is another step towards NRC’s regulatory goal of providing enhanced security and safeguards for those possessing and using SNM.