NRC needs and their implementation-ASME Section IX code

The guiding principle from the onset of government regulation for the peaceful use of nuclear energy has been to prescribe only the minimum requirements that are needed for safety. In the pioneer regulators' collective mind, the technical details could be left to the regulated industry through its agents like NSSS vendors and A/E's and their surrogate organizations like ASME, ANS, AIF, etc. However, it has evolved through the years, due either to the bureaucratic momentum or the vacuum in industry leadership, into a situation where one sees an ever increasing number of detailed ''requirements'' prescribed by the regulators. Within the scope of activities covered by Section XI, there is no exception: e.g., NUREG-067, -0531 -1061; NUREG-0313 Rev. 0, Rev. 1, and now Rev. 2; IE Bulletins 82-03, 83-02; and Generic Letters 84-11, and 84-07, etc. for one issue of pipe crack alone; and there are more to come. There appears a consensus among all concerned parties including regulators that this is not a desirable situation and that something must be done to reverse this trend. The purpose of this discussion is, therefore, to explore the areas where the Section XI Code can be restructured to meet this need, and to seek ideas from the representatives of the regulated industry on the methods of implementation that are effective, efficient, and acceptable to all concerned parties