The Committee to Review Generic Requirements (CRGR) reviews proposed generic backfits that are to be imposed on all power reactors and/or selected nuclear materials facilities that are licensed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The purpose of these reviews is to ensure that such backfits are appropriately justified based on the backfit provisions of applicable NRC regulations and the Commission's backfit policy. Specifically, Title 10, Section 50.109, of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR 50.109) defines a backfit as "the modification of or addition to systems, structures, components, or design of a facility; or the design approval or manufacturing license for a facility; or the procedures or organization required to design, construct or operate a facility; any of which may result from a new or amended provision in the Commission's regulations or the imposition of a regulatory staff position interpreting the Commission's regulations that is either new or different from a previously applicable staff position." Generic backfits are those that apply to one or more classes of nuclear power reactors or materials facilities.

As an advisory committee to the NRC's Executive Director for Operations (EDO), the CRGR's primary responsibilities are to recommend either approval or disapproval of the staff's proposed backfits, and to guide and assist the NRC's program offices in implementing the Commission's backfit policy. The CRGR Charter is incorporated in Management Directive 8.4, "Management of Facility-Specific Backfitting and Information Collection," as well as various program office administrative procedures for developing new or revised generic actions.

The CRGR also provides an annual report to the Commission describing the CRGR's activities during the previous year, as well as its decisions regarding the various topics that the CRGR reviewed during the year. As an additional responsibility, the CRGR reviews the NRC’s generic administrative backfit controls to ensure that they are sufficient and that the related staff guidance is comprehensive and clear. See the following for additional information: