# NRC Reviews of Reactor Designs Previously Authorized by U.S. Department of Energy or Department of War

**Action Urgency Score:** 65/100

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | Nuclear Regulatory Commission |
| Type | Final rule |
| Action | Final rule. |
| Published | 2026-10-26 |
| Effective | 2026-11-25 |
| Significant | No |
| CFR parts | 10 CFR 50, 10 CFR 53 |
| Summary | The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its regulations to facilitate direct leveraging of prior U.S. Department of Energy or Department of War authorizations of demonstration reactors into the NRC's licensing reviews of commercial reactor facility applications that reference those designs. This rulemaking improves NRC licensing review efficiency, where applicable, by explicitly establishing by regulation an additional means for reactor applicants to demonstrate the safety functions of their reactor designs, thereby contributing to the safe and secure use and deployment of civ |
| Document number | 2026-21801 |

## Why this score
- Effective date within 30 days.
- Final rule.

Source: Federal Register API (Office of the Federal Register) (https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/10/26/2026-21801/nrc-reviews-of-reactor-designs-previously-authorized-by-us-department-of-energy-or-department-of-war). Last refreshed: 2026-11-04T09:17:43.641Z.
Data from the Federal Register API; the published Federal Register document is authoritative. Informational only, not legal advice.