# Revising the Duration of Design Certifications
> **Nuclear Regulatory Commission** · Direct final rule. · Published 2025-07-02 · Effective 2025-09-15 · 90 FR 28869
## Document
- **Document number:** 2025-12396
- **Category:** other
- **Sub-agency:** Nuclear Regulatory Commission
- **Federal Register citation:** 90 FR 28869
- **CFR reference:** 10 CFR 52
- **Publication date:** 2025-07-02
- **Effective date:** 2025-09-15
- **Energy docket:** NRC-2025-0018
## Abstract

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its regulations to revise the duration of design certifications (DCs). Specifically, this direct final rule replaces the 15-year duration for DCs with a 40-year duration period, both for existing DCs currently in effect and generically for future DCs, including renewals. This direct final rule does not change the date of issuance or renewal for existing DCs (i.e., the start date by which an existing DC may be referenced remains unchanged). This direct final rule also incorporates a minor editorial correction.

## Source
- [Federal Register document](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/02/2025-12396/revising-the-duration-of-design-certifications)
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