Supplying the Nuclear Industry
Supplying the Nuclear Industry
In the commercial nuclear industry, components are classified as either safety-related or non-safety-related. This classification determines the applicable quality standards and requirements for suppliers.
Safety Related Components
Safety-related components are critical to the safe operation of a nuclear facility. These components must meet stringent nuclear-specific manufacturing standards and are subject to regulatory oversight. Suppliers intending to provide safety-related components must demonstrate compliance through established quality assurance (QA) mechanisms.
There are two primary pathways for suppliers:
- Quality Assurance Program Compliant with 10 CFR 50 Appendix B
- Commercial Grade Dedication
Quality Assurance Program Compliant with 10 CFR 50 Appendix B
Suppliers can develop and maintain a nuclear QA program that complies with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 50 Appendix B, the NRC’s regulatory requirements for QA Criteria for Nuclear Power Plants. In practice, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Nuclear Quality Assurance (NQA-1) standard is often used as the foundational framework to meet these requirements.
Having a 10 CFR 50 Appendix B-compliant QA program allows suppliers to directly provide safety-related components to the nuclear industry following a successful customer audit.
Commercial Grade Dedication
Alternatively, suppliers may provide commercial-grade components for safety-related applications through a Commercial Grade Dedication (CGD) process. This process involves evaluating and verifying that a commercially-supplied item, which was not originally manufactured under a nuclear-grade QA program, is suitable for use in a safety-related function.
CGD is performed by the nuclear utility or a third-party entity with an established 10 CFR 50 Appendix B QA program. It includes technical evaluation, testing, inspection, and documentation to ensure the component meets nuclear safety requirements.
Non-Safety-Related Components (Standard Quality)
Components not essential to reactor safety are classified as non-safety-related. These parts do not require compliance with nuclear-specific QA standards, such as 10 CFR 50 Appendix B or ASME NQA-1.
Such components are typically referred to as standard quality products. For these items, the purchasing organization may set specific quality, technical, or performance expectations, but a formal nuclear QA program is not required.