Incorporation by Reference of ASME BPV Code Cases

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its regulations to incorporate by reference NRC Regulatory Guides listing Code Cases published by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) which the NRC has reviewed and found to be acceptable for use. These Code Cases provide alternatives to requirements in the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPV Code) pertaining to construction and inservice inspection of nuclear power plant components. This action updates the incorporation by reference of two regulatory guides that address NRC review and approval of ASME-published Code Cases. Concurrent with this action, the NRC is publishing a notice of the issuance and availability of the final regulatory guides. As a result of these related actions, the Code Cases listed in these regulatory guides are incorporated by reference into the NRC's regulations.