The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has officially extended the duration of its nuclear reactor design certifications from 15 years to 40 years. This ruling aims to reduce regulatory burden and costs by allowing companies to refer to designs for longer, giving them more time to gather operating experience and reducing the need for frequent regulatory effort without compromising safety or security.

The 40-year duration applies to both initial design certifications and renewals, including those currently in effect. The extension reduces regulatory effort and cost savings by providing more time for designers and applicants to use already-certified designs. Designers will have more time to gather operational experience before needing to renew their certifications.

The change streamlines the process and saves resources for both the industry and the NRC. The extension aligns with the reality of gathering operating experience, which can take time, before new designs are submitted for certification.

Announcing the planned change in July, the US Federal Register said. The final rule is effective 15 September 2025, unless significant adverse comments are received by 1 August 2025.

NRC noted that the change means “companies applying to build and operate reactors will have more time to reference already-certified designs by GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy, NuScale Power, Westinghouse Electric Company, and a Korean consortium. This change maintains our focus on safety with less regulatory effort and gives designers more time to gather operating experience before asking to renew a certification”.

The full list of design certifications NRC has issued comprises:

  • Advanced Boiling Water Reactor (ABWR) – General Electric (GE) Nuclear Energy
  • Advanced Power Reactor 1400 (APR1400) – Korea Electric Power Corporation and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power
  • ABWR Design Certification Rule (DCR) Amendment – South Texas Project Nuclear Operating Company
  • System 80+ – Westinghouse Electric Company
  • Advanced Passive 600 (AP600) – Westinghous Electric Company
  • Advanced Passive 1000 (AP1000) – Westinghouse Electric Company
  • Economic Simplified Boiling-Water Reactor (ESBWR) – GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy
  • NuScale Small Modular Reactor (US600) – NuScale Power