Society News Archive

12 August 2016
New Revision to ALARA Regulatory Guide

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has issued Revision 2 to Regulatory Guide (RG) 8.10, "Operating Philosophy for Maintaining Occupational Radiation Exposures as Low as Is Reasonably Achievable." This revision describes methods and procedures that the NRC staff considers acceptable for maintaining radiation exposures to employees and the public as low as is reasonably achievable (ALARA). Revision 2 of RG 8.10 was issued with a temporary identification of Draft Regulatory Guide, DG-8033. Revision 2 addresses changes identified since Revision 1 was issued in September 1975 (the NRC issued Revision 1-R in May 1977). 

In 1991 the NRC promulgated amendments to part 20 of title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) (56 FR 23360; 21 May 1991). The 1991 rulemaking included substantive amendments to 10 CFR Part 20 as well as a renumbering of those regulations. As such, this revision to the regulatory guide aligns with the regulatory structure of current 10 CFR Part 20 by updating the regulatory guide's 10 CFR Part 20 cross-references.    

In addition, this revision includes additional guidance from operating ALARA experience since 1975. It provides more details describing management responsibilities to ensure commitment to ALARA.