Verification, Validation, Reviews, and Audits for Digital Computer Software Used in Safety Systems of Nuclear Power Plants, 47804-47805 [2013-18728]

Download as PDF 47804 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 151 / Tuesday, August 6, 2013 / Notices Week of August 5, 2013 There are no meetings scheduled for the week of August 5, 2013. Week of August 12, 2013—Tentative There are no meetings scheduled for the week of August 12, 2013. or send an email to darlene.wright@nrc.gov. Dated: August 1, 2013. Rochelle C. Bavol, Policy Coordinator, Office of the Secretary. [FR Doc. 2013–19049 Filed 8–2–13; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 7590–01–P Week of August 19, 2013—Tentative There are no meetings scheduled for the week of August 19, 2013. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Week of August 26, 2013—Tentative [NRC–2012–0195] Tuesday, August 27, 2013 9:00 a.m. Briefing on NRC’s Construction Activities (Public Meeting) (Contact: Michelle Hayes, 301–415–8375) This meeting will be webcast live at the Web address—www.nrc.gov 3:00 p.m. Briefing on NRC International Activities (Closed –Ex. 1 & 9) (Contact: Karen Henderson, 301– 415–0202) Week of September 2, 2013—Tentative There are no meetings scheduled for the week of September 2, 2013. tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Week of September 9, 2013—Tentative There are no meetings scheduled for the week of September 9, 2013. * * * * * * The schedule for Commission meetings is subject to change on short notice. To verify the status of meetings, call (recording)—301–415–1292. Contact person for more information: Rochelle Bavol, 301–415–1651. * * * * * The NRC Commission Meeting Schedule can be found on the Internet at: https://www.nrc.gov/public-involve/ public-meetings/schedule.html. * * * * * The NRC provides reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in these public meetings, or need this meeting notice or the transcript or other information from the public meetings in another format (e.g. braille, large print), please notify Kimberly Meyer, NRC Disability Program Manager, at 301–287–0727, or by email at kimberly.meyerchambers@nrc.gov. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. * * * * * This notice is distributed electronically to subscribers. If you no longer wish to receive it, or would like to be added to the distribution, please contact the Office of the Secretary, Washington, DC 20555 (301–415–1969), VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:47 Aug 05, 2013 Jkt 229001 Verification, Validation, Reviews, and Audits for Digital Computer Software Used in Safety Systems of Nuclear Power Plants Nuclear Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Revision to regulatory guide; issuance. AGENCY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing a revised regulatory guide (RG), revision 2 of RG 1.168, ‘‘Verification, Validation, Reviews, and Audits for Digital Computer Software Used in Safety Systems of Nuclear Power Plants.’’ This guide endorses, with clarifications and exceptions, the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Standard 1012–2004, ‘‘IEEE Standard for Software Verification and Validation,’’ and IEEE Std. 1028–2008, ‘‘IEEE Standard for Software Reviews and Audits.’’ These two IEEE standards describe methods acceptable to the NRC staff for demonstrating compliance with the NRC’s regulations for design verification and control of software used in the safety systems of a nuclear power plant. ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC–2012–0195 when contacting the NRC about the availability of information regarding this document. You may access information related to this document, which the NRC possesses and is publicly available, using the following methods: • Federal Rulemaking Web site: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC–2012–0195. Address questions about NRC dockets to Carol Gallagher; telephone: 301–287–3422; email: Carol.Gallagher@nrc.gov. • NRC’s Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS): You may access publicly available documents online in the NRC Library at https://www.nrc.gov/readingrm/adams.html. To begin the search, select ‘‘ADAMS Public Documents’’ and then select ‘‘Begin Web-based ADAMS Search.’’ For problems with ADAMS, please contact the NRC’s Public SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00135 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Document Room (PDR) reference staff at 1–800–397–4209, 301–415–4737, or by email to pdr.resource@nrc.gov. The ADAMS accession number for each document referenced in this notice (if that document is available in ADAMS) is provided the first time that a document is referenced. Revision 2 of RG 1.168 is available in ADAMS under Accession No. ML13073A210. The regulatory analysis may be found in ADAMS under Accession No. ML103160461. • NRC’s PDR: You may examine and purchase copies of public documents at the NRC’s PDR, Room O1–F21, One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852. Regulatory guides are not copyrighted, and NRC approval is not required to reproduce them. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Orr, Division of Engineering, Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555–0001, telephone: 301–251–7495; email: Mark.Orr@NRC.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Introduction The NRC is issuing a revision to an existing guide in the NRC’s ‘‘Regulatory Guide’’ series. This series was developed to describe and make available to the public information such as methods that are acceptable to the NRC staff for implementing specific parts of the NRC’s regulations, techniques that the staff uses in evaluating specific problems or postulated accidents, and data that the staff needs in its review of applications for permits and licenses. II. Further Information Revision 2 of RG 1.168 was issued with a temporary identification as Draft Regulatory Guide, DG–1267 on August 22, 2012 (77 FR 50723) for a 60-day public comment period. The public comment period closed on November 23, 2012. Multiple public comments were received and addressed by the NRC staff. These comments and the NRC staff responses are available in ADAMS under Accession number ML13073A208. Revision 2 of RG 1.168 endorses, with clarifications and exceptions, the consensus practices for complying with NRC regulations promoting the development of, and compliance with, a software lifecycle program for software used in safety systems in nuclear power plants described in the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Standard 1012–2004, ‘‘IEEE E:\FR\FM\06AUN1.SGM 06AUN1 tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 151 / Tuesday, August 6, 2013 / Notices Standard for Software Verification and Validation,’’ and IEEE Std. 1028–2008, ‘‘IEEE Standard for Software Reviews and Audits.’’ These two IEEE standards describe methods acceptable to the NRC staff for demonstrating compliance with the NRC’s regulations for verification, validation, and design control of software used in safety systems of a nuclear power plant. In particular, the methods are consistent with part 50 of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR), ‘‘Domestic Licensing of Production and Utilization Facilities,’’ Appendix A, ‘‘General Design Criteria for Nuclear Power Plants,’’ General Design Criterion (GDC) 1, ‘‘Quality Standards and Records,’’ which requires, in part, that a quality assurance program be established and implemented to provide adequate assurance that systems and components important to safety will satisfactorily perform their safety functions. Revision 2 of RG 1.168 supersedes Revision 1 of RG 1.168 and represents the NRC staff’s guidance for future users and guidance. Earlier versions of this RG, however, continue to be acceptable for those licensees whose licensing basis includes earlier versions of this RG, absent a licensee-initiated change to its licensing basis. Additional information on the staff’s use of this revised RG with respect to both current and future users and applications is set forth in the ‘‘Implementation’’ section of the revised RG. This RG is one of six revised RGs addressing computer software development and use in safety related systems of nuclear power plants. These RGs were developed by the Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research, Division of Engineering (RES/DE) with the assistance of multiple individuals in the Office of New Reactors, Division of Engineering (NRO/DE); Office Nuclear Reactor Regulation, Division of Engineering (NRR/DE); and the Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response, Division of Security Policy (NSIR/DSP). The six interrelated RGs are: 1. Revision 2 of RG 1.168, ‘‘Verification, Validation, Reviews, and Audits for Digital Computer Software used in Safety Systems of Nuclear Power Plants,’’ issued for public comment as DG–1267. The package for Rev. 2 of RG 1.168 is in ADAMS at Accession No. ML12236A132. 2. Revision 1 of RG 1.169, ‘‘Configuration Management Plans for Digital Computer Software used in Safety Systems of Nuclear Power Plants,’’ issued for public comment as DG–1206. The package for Rev. 1 of RG VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:47 Aug 05, 2013 Jkt 229001 1.169 is in ADAMS at Accession No. ML12354A524. 3. Revision 1 of RG 1.170, ‘‘Test Documentation for Digital Computer Software used in Safety Systems of Nuclear Power Plants,’’ issued for public comment as DG1207. The package for Rev. 1 of RG 1.170 is in ADAMS at Accession No. ML12354A531. 4. Revision 1 of RG 1.171, ‘‘Software Unit Testing for Digital Computer Software Used in Safety Systems of Nuclear Power Plants,’’ issued for public comment as DG1208. The package for Rev. 1 of RG 1.171 is in ADAMS at Accession No. ML12354A534. 5. Revision 1 of RG 1.172, ‘‘Software Requirements Specifications for Digital Computer Software used in Safety Systems of Nuclear Power Plants,’’ issued for public comment as DG–1209. The package for Rev. 1 of RG 1.172 is in ADAMS at Accession No. ML12354A538. 6. Revision 1 of RG 1.173, ‘‘Developing Software Life Cycle Processes for Digital Computer Software used in Safety Systems of Nuclear Power Plants,’’ issued for public comment as DG–1210. The package for Rev. 1 of RG 1.173 is in ADAMS at Accession No. ML13008A338. III. Backfitting and Issue Finality Issuance of this revised RG does not constitute backfitting as defined in 10 CFR 50.109 (the Backfit Rule) and is not otherwise inconsistent with the issue finality provisions in 10 CFR part 52. As discussed in the ‘‘Implementation’’ section of this RG, the NRC has no current intention to impose this RG on holders of current operating licenses, early site permits or combined licenses, unless this final RG is part of the licensing basis for the facility. The NRC may apply this revised RG to applications for operating licenses, early site permits and combined licenses docketed by the NRC as of the date of issuance of the final RG, as well as to future applications for operating licenses, early site permits and combined licenses submitted after the issuance of the RG. Such action does not constitute backfitting as defined in 10 CFR 50.109(a)(1) and is not otherwise inconsistent with the applicable issue finality provision in 10 CFR part 52, inasmuch as such applicants or potential applicants are not within the scope of entities protected by the Backfit Rule or the relevant issue finality provisions in part 52. PO 00000 Frm 00136 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 47805 IV. Congressional Review Act This RG is a rule as designated in the Congressional Review Act (5 U.S.C. 801–808). However, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has not found it to be a major rule as designated in the Congressional Review Act. Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 19th day of July, 2013. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Thomas H. Boyce, Chief, Regulatory Guide Development Branch, Division of Engineering, Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research. [FR Doc. 2013–18728 Filed 8–5–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590–01–P NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION [NRC–2012–0195] Test Documentation for Digital Computer Software Used in Safety Systems of Nuclear Power Plants Nuclear Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Revision to regulatory guide; issuance. AGENCY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing a revised regulatory guide (RG), Revision 1 of RG 1.170, ‘‘Test Documentation for Digital Computer Software Used in Safety Systems of Nuclear Power Plants.’’ This RG endorses the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Standard 829–2008, ‘‘IEEE Standard for Software and System Test Documentation’’ with the clarifications and exceptions stated in Section C, ‘‘Staff Regulatory Guidance’’ of the RG. IEEE Std. 829–2008 describes methods that the NRC considers acceptable for use in complying with NRC regulations for developing test documentation and design quality in the software used in safety systems of nuclear power plants. ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC–2012–0195 when contacting the NRC about the availability of information regarding this document. You may access information related to this document, which the NRC possesses and is publicly available, using the following methods: • Federal Rulemaking Web site: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC–2012–0195. Address questions about NRC dockets to Carol Gallagher; telephone: 301–287–3422; email: Carol.Gallagher@nrc.gov. • NRC’s Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS): You may access publicly available documents online in the NRC SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\06AUN1.SGM 06AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 151 (Tuesday, August 6, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47804-47805]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-18728]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[NRC-2012-0195]


Verification, Validation, Reviews, and Audits for Digital 
Computer Software Used in Safety Systems of Nuclear Power Plants

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Revision to regulatory guide; issuance.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing a 
revised regulatory guide (RG), revision 2 of RG 1.168, ``Verification, 
Validation, Reviews, and Audits for Digital Computer Software Used in 
Safety Systems of Nuclear Power Plants.'' This guide endorses, with 
clarifications and exceptions, the Institute of Electrical and 
Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Standard 1012-2004, ``IEEE Standard for 
Software Verification and Validation,'' and IEEE Std. 1028-2008, ``IEEE 
Standard for Software Reviews and Audits.'' These two IEEE standards 
describe methods acceptable to the NRC staff for demonstrating 
compliance with the NRC's regulations for design verification and 
control of software used in the safety systems of a nuclear power 
plant.

ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2012-0195 when contacting the 
NRC about the availability of information regarding this document. You 
may access information related to this document, which the NRC 
possesses and is publicly available, using the following methods:
     Federal Rulemaking Web site: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC-2012-0195. Address 
questions about NRC dockets to Carol Gallagher; telephone: 301-287-
3422; email: Carol.Gallagher@nrc.gov.
     NRC's Agencywide Documents Access and Management System 
(ADAMS): You may access publicly available documents online in the NRC 
Library at https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. To begin the 
search, select ``ADAMS Public Documents'' and then select ``Begin Web-
based ADAMS Search.'' For problems with ADAMS, please contact the NRC's 
Public Document Room (PDR) reference staff at 1-800-397-4209, 301-415-
4737, or by email to pdr.resource@nrc.gov. The ADAMS accession number 
for each document referenced in this notice (if that document is 
available in ADAMS) is provided the first time that a document is 
referenced. Revision 2 of RG 1.168 is available in ADAMS under 
Accession No. ML13073A210. The regulatory analysis may be found in 
ADAMS under Accession No. ML103160461.
     NRC's PDR: You may examine and purchase copies of public 
documents at the NRC's PDR, Room O1-F21, One White Flint North, 11555 
Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852.
    Regulatory guides are not copyrighted, and NRC approval is not 
required to reproduce them.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Orr, Division of Engineering, 
Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, telephone: 301-251-7495; email: 
Mark.Orr@NRC.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Introduction

    The NRC is issuing a revision to an existing guide in the NRC's 
``Regulatory Guide'' series. This series was developed to describe and 
make available to the public information such as methods that are 
acceptable to the NRC staff for implementing specific parts of the 
NRC's regulations, techniques that the staff uses in evaluating 
specific problems or postulated accidents, and data that the staff 
needs in its review of applications for permits and licenses.

II. Further Information

    Revision 2 of RG 1.168 was issued with a temporary identification 
as Draft Regulatory Guide, DG-1267 on August 22, 2012 (77 FR 50723) for 
a 60-day public comment period. The public comment period closed on 
November 23, 2012. Multiple public comments were received and addressed 
by the NRC staff. These comments and the NRC staff responses are 
available in ADAMS under Accession number ML13073A208.
    Revision 2 of RG 1.168 endorses, with clarifications and 
exceptions, the consensus practices for complying with NRC regulations 
promoting the development of, and compliance with, a software lifecycle 
program for software used in safety systems in nuclear power plants 
described in the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers 
(IEEE) Standard 1012-2004, ``IEEE

[[Page 47805]]

Standard for Software Verification and Validation,'' and IEEE Std. 
1028-2008, ``IEEE Standard for Software Reviews and Audits.'' These two 
IEEE standards describe methods acceptable to the NRC staff for 
demonstrating compliance with the NRC's regulations for verification, 
validation, and design control of software used in safety systems of a 
nuclear power plant. In particular, the methods are consistent with 
part 50 of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR), 
``Domestic Licensing of Production and Utilization Facilities,'' 
Appendix A, ``General Design Criteria for Nuclear Power Plants,'' 
General Design Criterion (GDC) 1, ``Quality Standards and Records,'' 
which requires, in part, that a quality assurance program be 
established and implemented to provide adequate assurance that systems 
and components important to safety will satisfactorily perform their 
safety functions.
    Revision 2 of RG 1.168 supersedes Revision 1 of RG 1.168 and 
represents the NRC staff's guidance for future users and guidance. 
Earlier versions of this RG, however, continue to be acceptable for 
those licensees whose licensing basis includes earlier versions of this 
RG, absent a licensee-initiated change to its licensing basis. 
Additional information on the staff's use of this revised RG with 
respect to both current and future users and applications is set forth 
in the ``Implementation'' section of the revised RG.
    This RG is one of six revised RGs addressing computer software 
development and use in safety related systems of nuclear power plants. 
These RGs were developed by the Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research, 
Division of Engineering (RES/DE) with the assistance of multiple 
individuals in the Office of New Reactors, Division of Engineering 
(NRO/DE); Office Nuclear Reactor Regulation, Division of Engineering 
(NRR/DE); and the Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response, 
Division of Security Policy (NSIR/DSP). The six interrelated RGs are:
    1. Revision 2 of RG 1.168, ``Verification, Validation, Reviews, and 
Audits for Digital Computer Software used in Safety Systems of Nuclear 
Power Plants,'' issued for public comment as DG-1267. The package for 
Rev. 2 of RG 1.168 is in ADAMS at Accession No. ML12236A132.
    2. Revision 1 of RG 1.169, ``Configuration Management Plans for 
Digital Computer Software used in Safety Systems of Nuclear Power 
Plants,'' issued for public comment as DG-1206. The package for Rev. 1 
of RG 1.169 is in ADAMS at Accession No. ML12354A524.
    3. Revision 1 of RG 1.170, ``Test Documentation for Digital 
Computer Software used in Safety Systems of Nuclear Power Plants,'' 
issued for public comment as DG1207. The package for Rev. 1 of RG 1.170 
is in ADAMS at Accession No. ML12354A531.
    4. Revision 1 of RG 1.171, ``Software Unit Testing for Digital 
Computer Software Used in Safety Systems of Nuclear Power Plants,'' 
issued for public comment as DG1208. The package for Rev. 1 of RG 1.171 
is in ADAMS at Accession No. ML12354A534.
    5. Revision 1 of RG 1.172, ``Software Requirements Specifications 
for Digital Computer Software used in Safety Systems of Nuclear Power 
Plants,'' issued for public comment as DG-1209. The package for Rev. 1 
of RG 1.172 is in ADAMS at Accession No. ML12354A538.
    6. Revision 1 of RG 1.173, ``Developing Software Life Cycle 
Processes for Digital Computer Software used in Safety Systems of 
Nuclear Power Plants,'' issued for public comment as DG-1210. The 
package for Rev. 1 of RG 1.173 is in ADAMS at Accession No. 
ML13008A338.

III. Backfitting and Issue Finality

    Issuance of this revised RG does not constitute backfitting as 
defined in 10 CFR 50.109 (the Backfit Rule) and is not otherwise 
inconsistent with the issue finality provisions in 10 CFR part 52. As 
discussed in the ``Implementation'' section of this RG, the NRC has no 
current intention to impose this RG on holders of current operating 
licenses, early site permits or combined licenses, unless this final RG 
is part of the licensing basis for the facility. The NRC may apply this 
revised RG to applications for operating licenses, early site permits 
and combined licenses docketed by the NRC as of the date of issuance of 
the final RG, as well as to future applications for operating licenses, 
early site permits and combined licenses submitted after the issuance 
of the RG. Such action does not constitute backfitting as defined in 10 
CFR 50.109(a)(1) and is not otherwise inconsistent with the applicable 
issue finality provision in 10 CFR part 52, inasmuch as such applicants 
or potential applicants are not within the scope of entities protected 
by the Backfit Rule or the relevant issue finality provisions in part 
52.

IV. Congressional Review Act

    This RG is a rule as designated in the Congressional Review Act (5 
U.S.C. 801-808). However, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has 
not found it to be a major rule as designated in the Congressional 
Review Act.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 19th day of July, 2013.
    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Thomas H. Boyce,
Chief, Regulatory Guide Development Branch, Division of Engineering, 
Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research.
[FR Doc. 2013-18728 Filed 8-5-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
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