PRIA Logo™
Take the PRIA Score
Title 42 — The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-73

§5846 Compliance with safety regulations

Title 42 › Chapter CHAPTER 73— - DEVELOPMENT OF ENERGY SOURCES › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER II— - NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION; NUCLEAR WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION › § 5846

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Company directors or other responsible officers must tell the Nuclear Regulatory Commission if they learn that a licensed nuclear facility or parts either are not following the Atomic Energy Act or the Commission’s safety rules, or have a defect that could cause a substantial safety hazard (as the Commission’s rules define). If someone knowingly fails to give that notice, they can be fined in the amount set by section 234 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended [42 U.S.C. 2282]. The notice requirement must be clearly posted at licensed facilities, and the Commission may inspect and enforce these rules.

Full Legal Text

Title 42, §5846

The Public Health and Welfare — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Any individual director, or responsible officer of a firm constructing, owning, operating, or supplying the components of any facility or activity which is licensed or otherwise regulated pursuant to the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 as amended [42 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.], or pursuant to this chapter, who obtains information reasonably indicating that such facility or activity or basic components supplied to such facility or activity—
(1)fails to comply with the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, or any applicable rule, regulation, order, or license of the Commission relating to substantial safety hazards, or
(2)contains a defect which could create a substantial safety hazard, as defined by regulations which the Commission shall promulgate,
(b)Any person who knowingly and consciously fails to provide the notice required by subsection (a) of this section shall be subject to a civil penalty in an amount equal to the amount provided by section 234 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended [42 U.S.C. 2282].
(c)The requirements of this section shall be prominently posted on the premises of any facility licensed or otherwise regulated pursuant to the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended [42 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.].
(d)The Commission is authorized to conduct such reasonable inspections and other enforcement activities as needed to insure compliance with the provisions of this section.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Atomic Energy Act of 1954, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (c), is act Aug. 1, 1946, ch. 724, as added by act Aug. 30, 1954, ch. 1073, § 1, 68 Stat. 919, which is classified principally to chapter 23 (§ 2011 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 2011 of this title and Tables. This chapter, referred to in subsec. (a), was in the original “this Act”, meaning Pub. L. 93–438, Oct. 11, 1974, 88 Stat. 1233, known as the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 5801 of this title and Tables.

Executive Documents

Transfer of Functions

For transfer of certain functions from Nuclear Regulatory Commission to Chairman thereof, see Reorg. Plan No. 1 of 1980, 45 F.R. 40561, 94 Stat. 3585, set out as a note under section 5841 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

42 U.S.C. § 5846

Title 42 — The Public Health and Welfare

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73