Independent Assessment of Nuclear Material Control and Accounting Systems

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing for public comment draft regulatory guide (DG), DG-5049, ``Independent Assessment of Nuclear Material Control and Accounting Systems.'' This DG provides guidance from experience gained since the regulatory guide was initially published in June 1975. In particular, the guidance for performing independent assessments has been expanded to include process monitoring and item monitoring for Category I fuel cycle facilities, and to include guidance for uranium enrichment facilities. In addition, this revision addresses changes in Material Control & Accounting (MC&A) terminology; for example, the term ``management review'' has been replaced by ``independent assessment,'' and ``material unaccounted for'' by ``inventory difference.''