NRC Beefs Up Rules to Shield Radioactive Materials Better
Published Date: 4/9/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is updating rules to better protect big amounts of radioactive materials, called Category 1 and 2. These changes affect companies handling these materials by boosting security measures and updating how they keep things safe. Comments on the new rules are open until May 11, 2026, and the updates may mean some new costs but stronger safety overall.
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 8 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Remove 10-Year Reinvestigation Rule
The rule would remove the requirement to perform a 10-year reinvestigation of individuals with unescorted access to Category 1 or 2 radioactive material and eliminate the old grandfathering provision tied to expired Fingerprint Orders. The NRC estimates industry savings of about $5,361,108 over 10 years (undiscounted).
Refresher Training: Every 3 Years
Refresher security training would change from "not to exceed 12 months" to "at least every 3 years" (and when significant security changes occur). The NRC estimates about 960 licensees are affected and projects industry savings of $70,875,567 over 10 years (undiscounted).
Stop Weekly Checks for Category 2 Sources
Licensees with Category 2 quantities would no longer have to perform weekly verification checks to confirm the material's presence. About 700 licensees are estimated to be affected, and the NRC projects total industry savings of approximately $32,068,400 over 10 years (undiscounted); per-licensee annual savings are estimated at about $4,581.
Drop Certification Filing to NRC
Companies that hold Category 1 or 2 radioactive material would no longer have to send a signed certification to the NRC that a "reviewing official" is trustworthy and reliable. Licensees must still designate reviewing officials under oath, and the NRC will check compliance during inspections.
LLEA Coordination Every 3 Years
Licensees would only need to coordinate with local law enforcement agencies at least every 3 years instead of annually, or when facility changes increase vulnerability. The NRC estimates about 960 affected licensees and total industry savings of about $1,184,010 over 10 years (undiscounted); current estimated per-licensee annual cost is about $176.20.
Remove Continuous Communications Mandate
The rule would remove the specific requirement to maintain continuous and alternative personnel communication and electronic data transmission capabilities under Sec. 37.49(c). Licensees would still be required to monitor, detect, assess, and respond to unauthorized removal under performance-based rules.
Drop Maintenance & Testing Program Mandate
The NRC proposes removing the requirement for a formal maintenance and testing program for intrusion alarms and related security equipment (Sec. 37.51) and the linked training requirement. The NRC estimates industry savings of about $1,691,443 over 10 years (undiscounted) based on an assumed annual per-licensee cost of $176.
Allow Modern Key Removal for Vehicles
The NRC would remove the prohibition on relying on removal of vehicle keys for mobile devices that contain Category 1 or 2 materials, recognizing modern transponder/chip keys and electronic fobs as acceptable methods to immobilize vehicles. The NRC estimates about 319 licensees operate mobile fleets that this change would affect.
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