Proposed rule · 2026-03993

Approval of the 2023 Edition of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code and Code Cases, Revision 41

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to amend its regulations to incorporate by reference the 2023 Edition of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. This action is in accordance with the NRC's policy to periodically update the regulations to incorporate by reference new editions of the ASME Codes and is intended to maintain the safety of nuclear power plants and to make NRC activities more effective and efficient. The NRC also is proposing to amend its regulations to incorporate by reference proposed revisions of three regulatory guides, which would approve new, revised, and reaffirmed code cases published by the ASME. This proposed action would allow nuclear power plant licensees and applicants to use the code cases listed in these draft regulatory guides as voluntary alternatives to engineering standards for the construction, inservice inspection, and inservice testing of nuclear power plant components. This proposed rule also incorporates minor editorial corrections. The NRC is requesting comments on this proposed rule, on the draft versions of three regulatory guides, and the draft version of an additional regulatory guide which will not be incorporated by reference.