NRC Keeps Tabs on Radioactive Waste with Form Renewals
Published Date: 12/10/2025
Notice
Summary
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is renewing its approval to collect info using Forms 542 and 542A, which track low-level radioactive waste shipments. This affects companies handling this waste, who must keep submitting these forms to stay in the clear. Comments on this renewal are open until February 9, 2026, with no new costs expected—just keeping the system running smoothly.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Continued reporting for LLRW shippers
If your business ships low-level radioactive waste (LLRW) for disposal, you (waste collectors and waste processors) must continue to complete NRC Forms 542 and 542A or Agreement State equivalent forms when shipping to a licensed LLRW disposal facility. This renewal keeps the existing paperwork requirement in place without changing when the forms are required.
Estimated annual paperwork burden
The NRC estimates 623 annual responses from about 71 respondents, requiring a total of 467 hours per year to complete NRC Forms 542/542A. These totals are the agency's estimate of the annual time burden for entities that ship LLRW.
Renewal only — no form changes or new costs
The NRC is renewing OMB approval for Forms 542 and 542A and states that the current extension does not include changes to the forms. The agency expects no new costs from this renewal and is keeping the existing system in place.
Flexible delivery options for form submissions
NRC Forms 542/542A are not required to physically accompany shipments; they may be mailed or electronically transferred to the consignee prior to arrival, or delivered with the waste to the consignee upon agreement. This allows multiple submission methods for businesses that ship LLRW.
Forms attribute waste to original generator
Forms 542/542A are used to attribute LLRW to the original waste generator for regional waste compact tabulation under the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Amendments Act of 1985. The forms collect generator identification, name, phone, address, manifest number, and waste description.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Take It Personal
Get Your Personalized Policy View
Start a Free Government Policy Watch to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.
Already have an account? Sign in