Contrary to GAO recommendations made in 1990 for NRC to take “enforcement action” against nuclear utilities in violation of maintaining Quality Assurance and Quality Control standards for “nuclear grade” safety-related reactor components, , the Nuclear Regulatory Commission published in Federal Register Notice a Final Rule creating a classification of “safety-related” parts which can now use lower grade “commercial grade” industrial parts. While the rule change promises to save the nuclear industry hundreds of millions of dollars in the procurement of nuclear safety-related equipment NRC staff have filed Differing Professional Opinions (DPO) on Commission amendments contained in the Final Rule identifying that the relaxation “raises serious safety concerns” which will allow nuclear power station operators to install inferior grade equipment in safety-related functions without adequate confidence that the parts will perform their required safety function.” To see the NRC Final Rule on special treatment requirements for structures, systems and components in nuclear power stations see the Federal Register Notice.
