Home > About NRC > How We Regulate > Enforcement > Enforcement Guidance

Enforcement Guidance

Many links on this page are to documents in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). See our Plugins, Viewers, and Other Tools page for more information.

On this page:

• Enforcement Manual
• Inspection Manual - Excerpts
• Memoranda of Understanding Between NRC and Other Agencies Regarding Enforcement

See also Dispositioning of Enforcement Issues in a Risk-Informed Framework - Memorandum from Director, Office of Enforcement, December 5, 2000.

Enforcement Manual

On December 22, 2008, the Office of Enforcement (OE) completed the sixth full revision of the NRC Enforcement Manual (Manual). Revision 6 is a joint effort that draws on the knowledge and experience of the enforcement staff in both OE and the Regions. The Manual is a living document and to ensure that the most recent version of the Manual is being used by the enforcement staff, it is being made available on OE’s Web page. The revised document is provided in a PDF format.

The Manual was first published in June 1990 as a tool to assist the NRC staff in implementing the Commission's enforcement program consistent with NRC's Enforcement Policy. Intended for internal use by the NRC, the Manual contains procedures, requirements, and background information used by the staff who develop or review enforcement actions. As such, failure to follow the guidance in this Manual does not invalidate an enforcement action.

This Manual supersedes the previous version issued as Revision 5 (September 22, 2008). Revision 6 includes multiple changes, including updated and reformatted information and hyperlinks to other NRC documents. Updates to the Manual will be made as necessary.

Highlights of the changes to the Manual include:

• Guidance and information regarding the post-investigation Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process
  
  
• A description of the responsibilities and authorities of the Office of New Reactors (NRO) and the Office of Federal and State Materials and Environmental Management Programs (FSME) as they related to the enforcement program
  
  
• A clarification of the delegation of authority limitations of the Directors of the Office of Enforcement, FSME, NRO, NRR, and NMSS
  
  
• An update to the current statutory maximum civil penalty

The Appendices have been updated and reformatted as necessary and new document markings have been added. The Appendices are provided in a PDF format.

Appendix A contains an updated list of Enforcement Guidance Memoranda (EGMs).

Appendix B contains updated standard formats for enforcement packages which includes updated document marking.

Appendix C contains updated standard citations that have been reviewed by the Office of the General Counsel.

Appendix D contains updated enforcement processing aids and forms.

A more detailed summary of the changes in Revision 6 is included in Revision 6 - Summary of Changes.

Change Notice Index - Updated September 28, 2006
Chapters 1-8: Narrative Guidance
Appendix A: Temporary Enforcement Guidance
Appendix B: Standard Formats for Enforcement Packages
Appendix C: Standard Citations for Enforcement Actions
Appendix D: Enforcement Processing Aids and Forms

Inspection Manual - Excerpts

The NRC Inspection Manual includes procedures for issuing Notices of Enforcement Discretion (NOEDs) for Power Reactors and Gaseous Diffusion Plants.

Implementing Procedures for Power Reactor NOEDs

Implementing Procedures for Gaseous Diffusion Plant NOEDs

Memoranda of Understanding Between NRC and Other Agencies Regarding Enforcement

• Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between NRC and DOJ
• Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between NRC and DOL
• Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between NRC and DOT
• Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between NRC and OSHA
• Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between NRC and OSHA (Re: Gaseous Diffusion Plants)

Privacy Policy | Site Disclaimer
Tuesday, January 06, 2009