How does one determine if the QA program design for a low- or high-level radioactive waste program will be acceptable to the NRC

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) requires that high-level and low-level radioactive waste projects meet the quality assurance requirements of 10 CFR 60 and 10 CFR 61, respectively. The implementation requirement in 10 CFR 60 is to base a quality assurance program on the criteria of Appendix B of 10 CFR Part 50, as applicable. The implementation requirements of 10 CFR 61 are less specific. In the description of the contents of an application for a license, 10 CFR 60 states a description of the quality control program for the determination of natural disposal site characteristics and for quality control during the design, construction, operation and closure of the land disposal facility and the receipt, handling and emplacement of waste must be included. This paper describes the intent of each of the eighteen criteria of Appendix B of 10 CFR 50 as they apply to high- and low-level radioactive waste management. Appendix B of 10 CFR 50 was developed to meet the needs of nuclear power plant construction, and the wording is hardware-oriented. This paper describes the application of the eighteen criteria in relation to geotechnical activities and discusses the rationale for the application