# 2026-03993: NRC Tweaks Boiler Codes for Safer Nuclear Boilers 2026-03993, Approval of the 2023 Edition of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code and Code Cases, Revision 41, is a Federal Register proposed rule from Nuclear Regulatory Commission published 2026-02-27, effective Submit comments by April 28, 2026. Comments received after this date will be considered if it is practical to do so, but the NRC is able to ensure consideration only for comments received before this date.; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-06-11). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-03993 - As of: 2026-06-11 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Document number: 2026-03993 - Title: Approval of the 2023 Edition of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code and Code Cases, Revision 41 - Type: Proposed Rule - Agencies: Nuclear Regulatory Commission - Citation: 91 FR 9733 - Published: 2026-02-27 - Effective: Submit comments by April 28, 2026. Comments received after this date will be considered if it is practical to do so, but the NRC is able to ensure consideration only for comments received before this date. - Comments close: not stated - Significant: no - Touches household money: yes - Regulation identifier numbers: 3150-AK42 - Last updated: 2026-06-11 ## In one line NRC Tweaks Boiler Codes for Safer Nuclear Boilers ## Summary The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is updating its rules to include the latest 2023 ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, helping keep nuclear power plants safe and running smoothly. This update lets plant operators use new engineering options and includes some small fixes. If you’re involved with nuclear plants, get ready to review and comment by April 28, 2026—this could affect how inspections and tests are done, but won’t add extra costs. ## Abstract The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to amend its regulations to incorporate by reference the 2023 Edition of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. This action is in accordance with the NRC's policy to periodically update the regulations to incorporate by reference new editions of the ASME Codes and is intended to maintain the safety of nuclear power plants and to make NRC activities more effective and efficient. The NRC also is proposing to amend its regulations to incorporate by reference proposed revisions of three regulatory guides, which would approve new, revised, and reaffirmed code cases published by the ASME. This proposed action would allow nuclear power plant licensees and applicants to use the code cases listed in these draft regulatory guides as voluntary alternatives to engineering standards for the construction, inservice inspection, and inservice testing of nuclear power plant components. This proposed rule also incorporates minor editorial corrections. The NRC is requesting comments on this proposed rule, on the draft versions of three regulatory guides, and the draft version of an additional regulatory guide which will not be incorporated by reference. ## Effects PRIA read - NRC Adopts 2023 ASME BPV Code: benefit, high. The NRC proposes to incorporate by reference the 2023 Edition (Division 1) of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel (BPV) Code into 10 CFR 50.55a, allowing nuclear power plant licensees and applicants to use the latest ASME code provisions, with NRC-specified conditions. The rulemaking also proposes… - Regulatory Guides List New Code Cases: benefit, medium. The NRC proposes to incorporate by reference three draft regulatory guides (RG 1.84 Revision 41 (DG-1446), RG 1.147 Revision 22 (DG-1447), and RG 1.192 Revision 6 (DG-1448)) that list ASME code cases the NRC has determined are acceptable for voluntary use. The NRC also notes a proposed version of R… - Radiographic Film Record Retention Rules: cost, low. The NRC proposes conditions requiring that reasonable protection from deterioration of radiographic film include the reproduction provisions in NCA-4134.17(c) of the 2023 ASME BPV Code and that reproductions be retained as lifetime records per Table NCA-4134.17-1 or as nonpermanent records per Tabl… - NDE Personnel Recertification Clarified: benefit, low. The NRC proposes removing one prior provision and clarifying that a 5-year recertification interval for nondestructive evaluation (NDE) personnel is acceptable when accompanied by the prescribed hands-on practice and other prerequisites in the ASME Code. The NRC cites ASME support and international… - Limits on Mechanical Clamping Device Use: cost, medium. The NRC proposes to add conditions that prohibit use of ASME Section XI Appendix W (mechanical clamping devices) for Class 1 piping, piping that forms part of the containment boundary, piping larger than NPS 2 when temperature or pressure exceed 200 °F (95 °C) or 275 psig (1,900 kPa), and piping gr… - Draft Analysis Shows Multi‑Million Net Savings: benefit, high. The NRC's draft regulatory analysis estimates the proposed rule would produce a total net benefit (industry plus NRC) of approximately $9.52 million (7-percent NPV) to $11.72 million (3-percent NPV). The analysis reports industry averted operation costs of about $6.65 million to $9.58 million and n… ## Related documents - [2026-19568](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19568): Regulatory Enhancements for Reactor Licensing, Decommissioning, and Operational Oversight, 2026-09-24 - [2026-14341](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-14341): Modernizing Reactor Licensing, Safety Oversight, and Siting Practices, 2026-07-16 - [2026-13687](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-13687): Implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act, 2026-07-07 - [2026-12067](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12067): Fee Schedules; Fee Recovery for Fiscal Year 2026, 2026-06-16 - [2026-08550](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08550): Licensing Requirements for Microreactors and Other Reactors With Comparable Risk Profiles, 2026-05-01 - [2026-08015](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08015): Generic Environmental Impact Statement for Licensing of New Nuclear Reactors, 2026-04-24 ## Sources - [2026-03993 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/02/27/2026-03993/approval-of-the-2023-edition-of-the-american-society-of-mechanical-engineers-boiler-and-pressure) - [2026-03993 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-02-27/pdf/2026-03993.pdf) ## Related - [Previous: 2026-03968, Request for Information (RFI) Related to Comprehensive Regulations To Uncover S…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-03968) - [Next: 2026-04013, Mandatory Manufacturing Cost Survey Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-04013) - [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-03993 (as of 2026-06-11).