# 2026-01494: Nuclear Nod: NRC Approves New ASME Code Cases for Plants

2026-01494, Approval of American Society of Mechanical Engineers Unconditioned Code Cases, is a Federal Register rule from Nuclear Regulatory Commission published 2026-01-27, effective 2026-01-26 (as of 2026-06-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-01494
- As of: 2026-06-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-01494
- Title: Approval of American Society of Mechanical Engineers Unconditioned Code Cases
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Nuclear Regulatory Commission
- Citation: 91 FR 3359
- Published: 2026-01-27
- Effective: 2026-01-26
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: 3150-AL20
- Last updated: 2026-06-11

## In one line

Nuclear Nod: NRC Approves New ASME Code Cases for Plants

## Summary

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is giving the green light to new engineering rules from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers that nuclear power plants can choose to follow. Starting January 26, 2026, these updated code cases offer safer, easier ways to handle plant parts without extra costs or delays. This means nuclear plants have more flexible options to keep things running smoothly and safely.

## Abstract

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is confirming the effective date of January 26, 2026, for the direct final rule that was published in the Federal Register on September 26, 2025. This direct final rule amended the regulations to incorporate by reference a regulatory guide that approved unconditioned code cases published by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. This action allows nuclear power plant applicants and licensees to use the code cases as voluntary alternatives to engineering standards for nuclear power plant components.

## Effects PRIA read

No economic effects identified for this document.

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## Sources
- [2026-01494 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/27/2026-01494/approval-of-american-society-of-mechanical-engineers-unconditioned-code-cases)
- [2026-01494 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-01-27/pdf/2026-01494.pdf)

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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-01494 (as of 2026-06-11).