DT-25-07, Management Directive 1.1, NRC Management Directives System

Management Directive 1.1, NRC Management Directives System

ML25202A019
Person / Time
Issue date:	08/25/2025
From:	Eleni Jernell Office of Administration
To:
Raynor K
References
DT-25-07 MD 1.1
Download: ML25202A019 (1)

Text

U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION MANAGEMENT DIRECTIVE (MD)

For updates or revisions to policies contained in this MD that were issued after the MD was signed, please see the Yellow Announcement to Management Directive index (YA-to-MD index).

MD 1.1 NRC MANAGEMENT DIRECTIVES SYSTEM DT-25-07 Volume 1:

Management Directives Approved By:

Eleni Jernell, Acting Director Office of Administration Date Approved:

August 25, 2025 Cert. Date:

N/A, for the latest version of any NRC directive or handbook, see the online MD Catalog.

Issuing Office:

Office of Administration Division of Resource Management and Administration Contact Name:

Kathleen Raynor EXECUTIVE

SUMMARY

Management Directive (MD) 1.1, NRC Management Directives System, is revised to Add the Office of the Inspector Generals responsibility for MD review.

Remove references to the Collective Bargaining Agreement in accordance with Executive Order 14251, Exclusions from Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs."

Consolidate and clarify some sections of the Directive Handbook based on revisions to the MD process. Specifically, the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) now makes a Congressional Review Act determination at the end of the MD review process at the same time the MD is reviewed for legal objections.

Update organizational names and hyperlinks.

TABLE OF CONTENTS I.

POLICY.............................................................................................................................. 2 A. Management Directives Provide the Process and Guidance for Implementing Existing Policy........................................................................................ 2 B. Communicating Policy to NRC Employees................................................................... 2 C. Management Directives Meet Federal Requirement..................................................... 2 II.

OBJECTIVES.................................................................................................................... 3 III.

ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DELEGATIONS OF AUTHORITY........... 3 A. Chairman...................................................................................................................... 3

MD 1.1 NRC MANAGEMENT DIRECTIVES SYSTEM Date Approved: 08/25/2025 For the latest version of any NRC directive or handbook, see the online MD Catalog.

2 B. Commission.................................................................................................................. 3 C. Inspector General......................................................................................................... 3 D. Chief Financial Officer (CFO)........................................................................................ 4 E. Executive Director for Operations (EDO)...................................................................... 4 F. Director, Office of Administration (ADM)....................................................................... 4 G. Chief Human Capital Officer (CHCO)........................................................................... 4 H. Office Directors and Regional Administrators............................................................... 5 I.

Director, Division of Resource Management and Administration (DRMA), Office of Administration (ADM)....................................................................... 5 IV.

APPLICABILITY................................................................................................................ 6 V.

DIRECTIVE HANDBOOK.................................................................................................. 6 VI.

REFERENCES................................................................................................................... 6 I. POLICY A. Management Directives Provide the Process and Guidance for Implementing Existing Policy The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Management Directives (MD) system is a centralized resource for staff to easily find agencywide policy and internal controls.

MDs contain the policies and procedures that govern the internal NRC functions necessary for the agency to accomplish its regulatory mission. MDs do not propose new policy. Instead, MDs reflect policy decisions already made in some other context and provide the process and guidance for implementing that policy, including respective office or agency internal controls. For example, MDs can reflect enacted legislation, issued Executive Orders, Governmentwide personnel and travel policies, Commission decisions articulated in staff requirements memoranda, and other issuances.

B. Communicating Policy to NRC Employees It is the policy of the NRC to communicate to employees NRC policies, requirements, and procedures necessary for the agency to comply with Executive Orders, pertinent laws, regulations, and the circulars and directives of other Federal agencies.

C. Management Directives Meet Federal Requirement The NRC prepares, issues, and revises directives and associated directive handbooks (collectively referred to as MDs) to meet the requirement (44 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.) that all Federal agencies make and preserve records containing adequate and proper documentation of the organization, functions, policies, decisions, procedures, and essential transactions of the agency.

MD 1.1 NRC MANAGEMENT DIRECTIVES SYSTEM Date Approved: 08/25/2025 For the latest version of any NRC directive or handbook, see the online MD Catalog.

3 II. OBJECTIVES Ensure that MDs published in the NRC MD system Meet the system threshold criteria defined in the handbook to this directive.

Effectively communicate agency policies, objectives, responsibilities, authorities, requirements, guidance, and related information to NRC employees.

Properly and consistently reflect the decisions of the Chairman, the Commission, the Executive Director for Operations (EDO), and office directors and regional administrators.

Are properly reviewed and approved for issuance by appropriately authorized agency officials as well as properly maintained on the agencys internal website to maximize the systems accuracy and usefulness.

III. ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DELEGATIONS OF AUTHORITY A. Chairman

1. Approves any new or revised MD that affects Chairman or Commission authorities and responsibilities.

2. Approves any request to eliminate an MD issued by an office reporting to the Chairman or the Commission.

3. At his or her discretion reviews and approves an MD that (a) Reflects the implementation of major policy issues related to the agencys mission and strategic objective.

(b) Affects the rights of a member of the public.

B. Commission

1. Approves policy or significant policy changes, outside of the MD system, for implementation in a subsequent, new or revised MD.

2. Reserves the right to review the implementation of its policy, as advanced in any new or revised MD during the Chairmans review.

C. Inspector General

1. Approves any new or revised MD that directly concerns Office of the Inspector Generals (OIG) authorities or responsibilities.

2. Approves any request to revise or eliminate an MD issued by the OIG.

MD 1.1 NRC MANAGEMENT DIRECTIVES SYSTEM Date Approved: 08/25/2025 For the latest version of any NRC directive or handbook, see the online MD Catalog.

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3. Consistent with the responsibilities assigned to the OIG by the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended, reviews and comments on draft versions of MDs proposed by other NRC offices.

D. Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Approves the issuance of new or revised MDs that

1. Affect CFO authorities and responsibilities.

2. Reflect agency budget and financial policy, procedures, and operations that are consistent with previously established Chairman and Commission decisions.

E. Executive Director for Operations (EDO)

1. For offices reporting to the EDO, approves the issuance of new or revised MDs that reflect approved policy issues that (a) Affect the EDOs authorities and responsibilities.

(b) Reflect Chairman and Commission decisions that have major implications in terms of agency operations.

2. Approves any request to eliminate an MD issued by an office reporting to the EDO.

3. May delegate the responsibilities and authorities listed in this section, as appropriate.

F. Director, Office of Administration (ADM)

1. Develops, administers, and provides oversight for the MD system, including the issuance of approved policies and procedures, the provision of advice and guidance, and the review of the MD systems operation and effectiveness.

2. For offices reporting to the EDO, recommends to the EDO which MDs should be created, revised, consolidated, or eliminated.

3. Ensures that MDs receive proper review and approval according to the procedures in this MD.

4. May delegate the responsibilities and authorities delineated in this section, as appropriate.

G. Chief Human Capital Officer (CHCO)

1. Approves the issuance of new or revised directives and handbooks within Volume 10, Parts 1 through 4, and Part 5 Subpart B that (a) Affect human capital authorities and responsibilities.

(b) Reflect agency human resource policy, procedures, and operations that are consistent with any previously established Chairman and Commission decisions.

MD 1.1 NRC MANAGEMENT DIRECTIVES SYSTEM Date Approved: 08/25/2025 For the latest version of any NRC directive or handbook, see the online MD Catalog.

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2. Approves the elimination of MDs in Volume 10, Parts 1 through 4, and Part 5, Subpart B, unless the elimination would represent a significant change in previously established Chairman or Commission decisions. Notifies the EDO before the approval of any elimination.

H. Office Directors and Regional Administrators

1. Approve the issuance of new or revised MDs involving the implementation of established policy, procedures, and operations in their functional areas, except as otherwise indicated in this MD.

2. Ensure that pertinent NRC policies, requirements, procedures, and management information of continuing relevance to their program areas are incorporated into the MD system.

3. Incorporate Executive Orders, pertinent laws, regulations, circulars, and directives of other Federal agencies into NRC MDs to the extent necessary to clearly show the requirements that the NRC must follow.

4. According to the procedures in the handbook to this directive (a) Prepare and obtain approval of MDs necessary to carry out assigned functions.

(b) Ensure the accuracy, effectiveness, and currency of information in the MD system.

(c) Ensure that all of their offices MDs are revised or certified in a timely manner, in accordance with the NRC Plan to Update MDs available at https://usnrc.sharepoint.com/teams/NRC-Management-Directives.

5. Identify obsolete and redundant MDs for elimination or consolidation.

I. Director, Division of Resource Management and Administration (DRMA), Office of Administration (ADM)

1. Approves for publication without office director/regional administrator approval the following revisions to existing MDs (a) Routine and administrative revisions (e.g., to update the link to an externally authored handbook).

(b) Corrections and conforming changes such as (i) Changing the names of branches, divisions, and offices when reorganizations occur.

(ii) Correcting obvious errors or inadvertent omissions such as incorrect cross references.

2. Publishes new and revised MDs to the online MD catalog.

MD 1.1 NRC MANAGEMENT DIRECTIVES SYSTEM Date Approved: 08/25/2025 For the latest version of any NRC directive or handbook, see the online MD Catalog.

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3. Notifies NRC employees by network announcement when a new or revised MD is published to the online MD catalog.

IV. APPLICABILITY The policy and guidance in this MD apply to all NRC employees.

V. DIRECTIVE HANDBOOK Handbook 1.1 contains guidelines for the preparation, revision, review and approval, distribution, control, filing, use, and elimination of MDs.

VI. REFERENCES Code of Federal Regulations 10 CFR Part 1, Statement of Organization and General Information:

http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/cfr/part001/.

10 CFR Part 9, Public Records:

http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/cfr/part009/.

Executive Order 14251, Exclusions from Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs."

Nuclear Regulatory Commission Documents Congressional Review Internal Web Page:

https://usnrc.sharepoint.com/SitePages/Congressional-Review-Act.aspx.

Forms are available through NRCs intranet site in the NRC Forms Library on SharePoint, at https://usnrc.sharepoint.com/teams/NRC-Forms-Library.

Internal Commission Procedures Public Web Site:

http://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/policy-making/internal.html.

Management Directive 3.16, NRC Announcement Program.

Note to Commissioners Assistants, "Update of the Management Directive Change Process," January 18, 2018 (ML17361A353).

NRC Management Directives Internal Web Site:

https://usnrc.sharepoint.com/teams/NRC-Management-Directives.

NRC Memorandum to Miriam L. Cohen, Chief Human Capital Officer, from Mark A. Satorius, Executive Director for Operations, Delegation of Authority to Issue Management Directives in Volume 10, Parts 1 through 4, and Part 5 Subpart B, May 22, 2015 (ML15110A403).

MD 1.1 NRC MANAGEMENT DIRECTIVES SYSTEM Date Approved: 08/25/2025 For the latest version of any NRC directive or handbook, see the online MD Catalog.

7 NRC Memorandum to Office Directors and Regional Administrators from Darren B. Ash, Deputy Executive Director for Corporate Management, Improvements to the Management Directive and Yellow Announcement Process, April 3, 2015 (ML15041A795).

NRC Memorandum to L. Joseph Callan, Executive Director for Operations, from John C. Hoyle, Secretary; Staff RequirementsCOMNJD-98-003NRC Staff Office Procedures; May 18, 1998 (ML12305A571).

NRC Organization Chart and Functional Descriptions:

http://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/organization.html.

NUREG-1379, Rev. 2, NRC Editorial Style Guide.

OEDO Procedure 0370, Rev. 1, Setting Due Dates for OEDO-Controlled Action Items and Requesting Extensions and Transfers (ML083020494).

OIG 14-A-19, Audit of NRCs Process for Revising Management Directives (ML14258A612).

SECY-16-0035, Additional Re-baselining Products (ML16077A184).

United States Code Congressional Review Act (5 U.S.C. 801-808).

Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, as amended (42 U.S.C. 5801 et seq.).

Federal Records Act of 1950, as amended (44 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.).

Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552).

Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 USC 405).

U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION DIRECTIVE HANDBOOK (DH)

For updates or revisions to policies contained in this MD that were issued after the MD was signed, please see the Yellow Announcement to Management Directive index (YA-to-MD index).

DH 1.1 NRC MANAGEMENT DIRECTIVES SYSTEM DT-25-07 Volume 1:

Management Directives Approved By:

Eleni Jernell, Acting Director Office of Administration Date Approved:

August 25, 2025 Cert. Date:

N/A, for the latest version of any NRC directive or handbook, see the online MD Catalog.

Issuing Office:

Office of Administration Division of Resource Management and Administration Contact Name:

Kathleen Raynor EXECUTIVE

SUMMARY

Management Directive (MD) 1.1, NRC Management Directives System, is revised to Add the Office of the Inspector Generals responsibility for MD review.

Remove references to the Collective Bargaining Agreement in accordance with Executive Order 14251, Exclusions from Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs."

Consolidate and clarify some sections of the Directive Handbook based on revisions to the MD process. Specifically, the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) now makes a Congressional Review Act determination at the end of the MD review process at the same time the MD is reviewed for legal objections.

Update organizational names and hyperlinks.

TABLE OF CONTENTS I.

SYSTEM CONTENT AND STRUCTURE........................................................................... 3 A. Threshold Criteria for Creation of Management Directives............................................ 3 B. Threshold Criteria for Elimination of Management Directives........................................ 3 C. System Structure.......................................................................................................... 3 II.

ORGANIZATION AND FORMAT OF DOCUMENTS......................................................... 5 A. Management Directives................................................................................................ 5 B. Directive Handbooks.................................................................................................... 7

DH 1.1 NRC MANAGEMENT DIRECTIVES SYSTEM Date Approved: 08/25/2025 For the latest version of any NRC directive or handbook, see the online MD Catalog.

2 C. Procedural Manuals and Online Guidance.................................................................... 8 III.

WRITING MDS................................................................................................................... 8 A. Format.......................................................................................................................... 8 B. Content......................................................................................................................... 9 C. Quality Assurance........................................................................................................ 9 IV.

APPROVAL AUTHORITY.................................................................................................. 9 A. Criteria for Determining Approval Level........................................................................ 9 B. Hierarchy of Authority................................................................................................... 9 V.

STANDARD REVIEW, SIGNATURE, AND PUBLICATION PROCESS............................ 9 A. Core Review Process................................................................................................. 10 B. Final Review and Signature........................................................................................ 12 C. Comment Resolution.................................................................................................. 12 VI.

EXPEDITED REVIEW, SIGNATURE, AND PUBLICATION PROCESS.......................... 12 A. Types of Expedited Review Available......................................................................... 12 B. Criteria for Expedited Review..................................................................................... 13 C. Process...................................................................................................................... 13 VII. EFFECTIVE DATE........................................................................................................... 13 A. Standard Effective Date.............................................................................................. 13 B. Non-Standard Effective Date...................................................................................... 14 VIII. REQUIRED INCORPORATION OF POLICY CHANGES................................................. 14 A. Review Schedule........................................................................................................ 14 B. Incorporation of Policy Changes (Policy-related Yellow Announcements)................... 14 C. Compliance................................................................................................................ 15 IX.

EXPEDITED CERTIFICATION PROCESS FOR UNREVISED MDS................................ 15 A. Requirements............................................................................................................. 15 B. Approval of Staff Review............................................................................................ 15 C. Denial of Expedited Certification................................................................................. 16 X.

ELIMINATION OF MDS................................................................................................... 16 A. Request for Elimination............................................................................................... 16 B. Procedure for Eliminating MDs................................................................................... 16 XI.

GLOSSARY..................................................................................................................... 18

DH 1.1 NRC MANAGEMENT DIRECTIVES SYSTEM Date Approved: 08/25/2025 For the latest version of any NRC directive or handbook, see the online MD Catalog.

3 I. SYSTEM CONTENT AND STRUCTURE A. Threshold Criteria for Creation of Management Directives

1. Management directives (MDs) and associated directive handbooks (collectively referred to as MDs) are issued to reflect the promulgation of internal policy and procedures of agencywide interest or application that (a) Concern a high-profile, mission-critical agency function or program meriting agency-level attention or review.

(b) Impose substantive requirements on more than one U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) office.

2. Internal procedures related to management and program issues or functions concerning a limited number of offices or staff should be addressed through interoffice agreements or other jointly issued documents that effect the necessary coordination.

3. Administrative procedures of limited scope should be communicated to staff by procedural manuals, desk procedures, web guidance, or similar issuances.

B. Threshold Criteria for Elimination of Management Directives MDs should be eliminated when they no longer serve the purposes described in Section I.A, Threshold Criteria for Creation of MDs, of this handbook. While a directive alone can constitute an MD, a handbook alone cannot. Therefore, a handbook can be eliminated, and the associated directive can be published as the MD.

1. An MD or a handbook should be eliminated when the internal policies and procedures it contains are (a) Obsolete, (b) Unnecessary, or (c) Contrary or inconsistent with current law.

2. An MD should be simplified and consolidated whenever possible.

C. System Structure

1. The NRC MD system contains a broad range of policy issuances covering major NRC functions, programmatic responsibilities, and internal controls. The major agency functions and responsibilities addressed in MDs may be under the purview of one or more organizational units at any time. Because the NRC organizations charged with responsibility in these areas are subject to change over time, the MD system is divided into sequentially numbered volumes addressing broad functional areas related to the agencys mission and standard operations.

DH 1.1 NRC MANAGEMENT DIRECTIVES SYSTEM Date Approved: 08/25/2025 For the latest version of any NRC directive or handbook, see the online MD Catalog.

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2. The volumes in the MD system are listed in the table below.

TABLE 1 - MD System Volumes Vol.

Part Functional Area 1

Management Directives

• 2 Information Technology 3

Information Management 1

Publications, Mail, and Information Disclosure 2

Records Management 4

Financial Management 5

Governmental Relations and Public Affairs 6

Internal Management 7

Legal and Ethical Guidelines 8

Licensee Oversight Programs 9

NRC Organization and Functions

• 10 Personnel Management 1

Employment and Staffing 2

Position Evaluation and Management, Pay Administration, and Leave 3

Performance Appraisals, Awards, and Training 4

Labor Relations, Discipline, Grievances, Appeals, RIFs 5

Benefits, Health Services, and Employee Safety 6

Senior Executive Service, Senior Level Positions, and Judges 7

General Personnel Management Provisions 11 Procurement 12 Security 13 Transportation, Facilities, and Property 14 Travel Volumes 1 and 9, marked with asterisks (*) in the table above, contain special material:

Volume 1 states the governing policy and procedures for the MD system.

Directives in Volume 9 describe the organization and functions of NRC offices and regions and are a means by which the Chairman, the Commission, the Executive Director for Operations (EDO), the Chief Financial Officer (CFO),

and other organizational heads may describe functions and delegations of authority.

DH 1.1 NRC MANAGEMENT DIRECTIVES SYSTEM Date Approved: 08/25/2025 For the latest version of any NRC directive or handbook, see the online MD Catalog.

5 II. ORGANIZATION AND FORMAT OF DOCUMENTS A. Management Directives

1. MDs in Volumes 2 through 8 and 10 through 14 set forth existing policy, describe the major responsibilities assigned to agency officials, and provide the lines of authority and other requirements in specific NRC functional areas, not by NRC organization.

MDs in Volume 9 discuss organizational responsibilities and delegations of authority.

2. MDs must be organized into identifiable sections and subsections. Sections listed in Sections II.A.3(a)-(e) below are included in every directive. Sections listed in Section II.A.3(f) below are optional and may be added as necessary.

3. Directives are organized into the following sections:

(a) Policy This section contains a broad statement succinctly stating the agencys intent regarding the functional area covered by the MD. It may also identify any portions of the functional area that the MD does not cover.

(b) Objectives This section states the agency goals that shape the policy in the functional area covered by the directive.

(c) Organizational Responsibilities and Delegations of Authority This section sets out organizational responsibilities and delegations of authority specific to the functional area covered by the directive. This section is typically reserved for responsibilities and authorities at or above the division level. This section should not restate general responsibilities or authorities that attach to organizations and officials by virtue of their place in the agencys overall structure.

(i) Responsibilities and authorities that span all functional areas are set forth in office-specific directives in Volume 9, NRC Organization and Functions. This section contains statements that Reflect delegations of authority to NRC officials to perform certain functions and exercise certain authorities, Describe the scope of responsibility assigned to specific NRC officials to fulfill major responsibilities, and Describe the appropriate exercise of delegated authority.

(ii) Delegations of authority in a functional area should appear in the following descending order:

The authorities, if any, that the Chairman, the Commissioners, the EDO, the General Counsel, the Inspector General, or the CFO reserve for themselves, including the delegation of their authorities.

DH 1.1 NRC MANAGEMENT DIRECTIVES SYSTEM Date Approved: 08/25/2025 For the latest version of any NRC directive or handbook, see the online MD Catalog.

6 The authorities of the office directors (ODs) and the regional administrators who are affected, following, in most cases, the hierarchy as illustrated in the NRC organization charts and functional descriptions.

The authorities of appropriate division directors or designees who are functionally concerned.

(d) Applicability This section states to whom the MD applies.

(e) Directive Handbook This section states whether the directive has a corresponding handbook and what the handbook contains, such as procedures, guides, and standards. This section should also state any relevant online guidance or supplementary procedures manual published outside the MD system. Externally authored manuals may be appropriate to serve as an MD handbook and can be incorporated by reference.

(f) Optional Sections Additional sections may be added to the directive as needed to capture the essential elements of agency policy. Below are two examples of optional sections that might be included in a directive. Any other directive sections considered necessary must be numbered sequentially and inserted before the Reference section, which must appear last.

(i) Definitions This section defines terms used in a special context in the directive or if their meaning would not otherwise be clear to all those who use the directive. For more than five definitions, a separate glossary should be prepared and included at the end of the handbook.

(ii) Exceptions or Deviations This section identifies the authority to grant exceptions to or deviations from the MD; this section also describes the limits of that authority.

(g) References This section cites laws, regulations, Executive Orders, Commission actions, delegations of authority, other NRC MDs, directives of other Government agencies, and so forth, that impose requirements on the NRC, are cross-referenced or addressed in the MD, or that otherwise pertain directly to the MD.

DH 1.1 NRC MANAGEMENT DIRECTIVES SYSTEM Date Approved: 08/25/2025 For the latest version of any NRC directive or handbook, see the online MD Catalog.

7 B. Directive Handbooks Handbooks are issued to facilitate employee compliance with agency policy as stated in the controlling directive. Handbooks are subject to the MD system controls established in MD 1.1.

1. Scope and Content (a) A handbook includes broad coverage of agency policy, internal controls, authorities, and organizational responsibilities that are addressed within its controlling directive.

(b) A handbook addresses high-level procedures that orient employees to agency practice and operations.

(c) A handbook should not include excessive administrative procedures or reiterate statutory requirements or official guidance published by another Federal agency.

2. Availability (a) Handbooks are available on the MD website, as part of the MD or (b) For directives with an externally authored document that serves as the handbook, the controlling directive will provide an electronic link to a web-accessible version of the handbook.

3. Organization and Format (a) Each handbook published within the MD system must be identified by title and number with its directive, as illustrated on the first page of the handbook.

(b) To ensure the proper format and page design, offices are encouraged to view the handbook format and layout that are available on the MD website. If an office wishes to request an alternative format for a handbook, it must obtain approval from the Team Leader, Management Directives and Manuscript Review Team (MDMRT), Division of Resource Management and Administration (DRMA), ADM.

(c) Finding Aids The handbook should incorporate features that facilitate browsing and rapid reference, including (i) Visually discrete headings that accurately describe the contents of a section, and (ii) Internal and external hyperlinks.

(d) Exhibits The handbook may contain exhibitssample documents, illustrations, tables, charts, etc.that facilitate employee compliance with stated procedures.

Exhibits published in handbooks should not include items or information subject

DH 1.1 NRC MANAGEMENT DIRECTIVES SYSTEM Date Approved: 08/25/2025 For the latest version of any NRC directive or handbook, see the online MD Catalog.

8 to frequent change. Material of this nature may be referenced in the handbook but should be published separately as online guidance to facilitate frequent updating.

(e) NRC Forms Program-related forms that are readily accessible in the NRC Forms Library on SharePoint (https://usnrc.sharepoint.com/teams/NRC-Forms-Library) are clearly referenced but normally will not be included as exhibits. However, the originating office may include a facsimile of a completed form as an example for users to follow. The text of this category of exhibit should identify the form type (e.g., Standard Form, NRC Form, or Optional Form), form number, and the title (only the first time the form is mentioned), and instruct the reader to access the form.

(f) Footnotes The use of footnotes and endnotes is discouraged to ensure the MD is clear, concise, and easily understood by NRC staff.

C. Procedural Manuals and Online Guidance

1. Scope and Content (a) Detailed administrative procedures that are subject to change should be included in procedural manuals and online guidance.

(b) Procedural manuals and online guidance may contain exhibits as well as links to the agencys online forms.

2. Availability Procedural manuals and online guidance that are available on the NRC website will be linked to the controlling MD.

III. WRITING MDS Below is a summary of the specific formats and content rules that the agency has approved for MDs. Additional guidance is available on the MD website. The threshold criteria for the creation of an MD are discussed in Section I, System Content and Structure, of this handbook. The required and optional sections of an MD are discussed in Section II.A, Management Directives, of this handbook.

A. Format

1. MDs should be written using plain language. For details, see NUREG-1379, NRC Editorial Style Guide.

2. MDs must be formatted in Microsoft Word. To ensure the proper format and page design, offices must use the formatting template and numbering guidance found on the MD website.

DH 1.1 NRC MANAGEMENT DIRECTIVES SYSTEM Date Approved: 08/25/2025 For the latest version of any NRC directive or handbook, see the online MD Catalog.

9 B. Content The following are general content rules for MDs:

1. Limit detail to the minimum required to orient employees and stakeholders to the program or process being discussed.

2. Do not repeat established roles and responsibilities that are not applicable to the programs described in the MD.

3. Do not recapitulate material that is published elsewhere in NRC or external guidance, link to the source document instead.

4. Remove detailed administrative procedures, forms, and exhibits, etc., from MDs.

Make this material available in a procedural manual or as online guidance.

5. Ensure that the directive clearly references any handbook, procedural manual, or online guidance.

C. Quality Assurance The individual(s) assigned the responsibility for producing an MD should be those best able to assure effective execution of any portion of the subject program.

IV. APPROVAL AUTHORITY Section III, Organizational Responsibilities and Delegations of Authority, of the directive, briefly lists the organizational responsibilities and delegations of authority contained within the directive. This section contains additional information regarding the approval levels required to create, revise, or eliminate a directive.

A. Criteria for Determining Approval Level The level of agency approval required to create, revise, or eliminate a directive or handbook is determined by the nature and substance of the proposed action.

B. Hierarchy of Authority Section III of the directive lists agency officials who are authorized to create, revise, or eliminate a directive or handbook.

1. Any action that qualifies in any respect for approval by a higher-ranking agency official may not be approved by a lower-ranking official.

2. Any action that qualifies for approval by a lower-ranking agency official may be approved by a higher-ranking agency official in that officials chain of authority.

DH 1.1 NRC MANAGEMENT DIRECTIVES SYSTEM Date Approved: 08/25/2025 For the latest version of any NRC directive or handbook, see the online MD Catalog.

10 V. STANDARD REVIEW, SIGNATURE, AND PUBLICATION PROCESS The following process applies to all MDs and is therefore referred to as Core Review.

A. Core Review Process

1. The primary contact person in the originating office contacts ADM, DRMA, MDMRT (hereinafter MDMRT), which manages the review and publication process, and attends the required kickoff meeting.

(a) MDMRT gives the author the Word source file for the MD.

(b) If the originating office determines that the MD may be issued under the authority delegated to it in MD 1.1,Section III.G, Office Directors and Regional Administrators, then the originating office must notify MDMRT to inform the revision of the MD timeline.

2. After developing the draft MD, the originating office forwards the draft MD to the Office of the General Counsel (OGC), the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), the Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO), and any other necessary reviewing office for comment. Review by OGC, OIG, and OCHCO is required for every new or revised MD. Other necessary reviewing offices are those offices who have substantial roles and responsibilities under the program described in the MD.

(a) The originating office must indicate its intent to issue the MD under its delegated authority when requesting comments.

(b) Reviewing offices provide comments on the document.

(c) The reviewing offices have 20 working days to review and comment on draft and revised MDs, although a shorter review period may be specified for simple revisions or for MDs requiring expedited handling. The originating office should extend the comment period for draft MDs that are unusually lengthy or complex.

3. Reviewing offices return their comments on the draft document to the originating office.

4. The originating office reviews comments from OGC, OIG, OCHCO, and the other reviewing offices and creates a comment resolution document.

5. Originating Office Director or Regional Administrator Review (a) Once the OD or regional administrator of the originating office is satisfied with the MD, the OD or regional administrator concurs by signing Section C, Approval of Submission for Publication, of NRC Form 520, Certification of Staff Review and Request for Publication for an NRC Management Directive (MD).

(b) By signing Section C of NRC Form 520, the OD or regional administrator confirms that

DH 1.1 NRC MANAGEMENT DIRECTIVES SYSTEM Date Approved: 08/25/2025 For the latest version of any NRC directive or handbook, see the online MD Catalog.

11 (i) All interim policy guidance (Yellow Announcements, etc.) has been incorporated into the MD.

(ii) Comments were resolved in accordance with Section V.C of this DH and a comment resolution document is attached.

(iii) All material referenced is available to staff and that referenced and supporting policy and guidance is current, complete, and available to staff.

(iv) Reviewing offices have provided required input.

6. The originating office submits to MDMRT (a) A final draft of the MD that incorporates accepted comments, (b) A comment resolution document, and (c) A completed and signed NRC Form 520.

7. MDMRT Review (a) MDMRT reviews and accepts the NRC Form 520 package. If the NRC Form 520 package is not complete, MDMRT works with the originating office to develop a complete and acceptable NRC Form 520 package.

(b) MDMRT determines the level of approval required for the MD and routes the MD package for approval. MDMRT prepares the final signature package, including the NRC Form 520, when the package is ready to be routed to the final signature authority.

8. OGC Review (a) OGC reviews the signature package and takes one of the following two actions:

(i) If OGC has no legal objection to the MD, OGC provides this determination to MDMRT.

(ii) If OGC requests changes to the MD, OGC forwards the changes and the entire signature package to the originating office.

The originating office resolves OGCs changes and returns the entire signature package to MDMRT for editing and formatting, and to update the ADAMS package.

MDMRT forwards the updated signature package to OGC.

Once OGC has no legal objection to the MD, OGC provides this determination to MDMRT.

(b) OGC reviews the MD package and provides a statement as to whether the MD is considered a rule under the Congressional Review Act (CRA).

DH 1.1 NRC MANAGEMENT DIRECTIVES SYSTEM Date Approved: 08/25/2025 For the latest version of any NRC directive or handbook, see the online MD Catalog.

12 B. Final Review and Signature

1. Once OGC has no legal objection to an MD and has determined the MD is not a rule, MDMRT routes the package to the next designated signing official. (If OGC determines that the MD is a rule, the MD author should go to (https://usnrc.sharepoint.com/SitePages/Congressional-Review-Act.aspx) for information on CRA processing, which is coordinated by the Regulatory Analysis and Rulemaking Support Branch in NMSS).)

2. If any designated signing official has comments on the MD, MDMRT works with the originating office to address the comments, updates the signature package, and returns the package to the signing official.

3. Once the official approves the MD, MDMRT forwards the package to the next designated signing official.

4. The signature date for the MD is the date that the final signature authority signs the NRC Form 520, Section F, Authorizing Official Signature for Publication.

5. Once the MD is signed, MDMRT will make the MD available online.

C. Comment Resolution

1. The originating office will resolve reviewers comments to the extent feasible.

2. When significant, unresolved differences arise between the originating offices and offices reviewing a draft MD, the originating office shall take one of the following steps:

(a) If the originating office reports to the EDO, the originating office will submit a summary of the disputed issues to the EDO for resolution.

(b) If the originating office reports to the Chairman or the Commission, the originating office will submit a summary of the disputed issues to the Chairman for resolution.

VI. EXPEDITED REVIEW, SIGNATURE, AND PUBLICATION PROCESS The NRC allows offices to make changes quickly to MDs published on the agencys internal website. This expedited review, signature, and publication process is only available under the circumstances described below. Expedited review, signature, and publication is not available for MDs that require substantive changes.

A. Types of Expedited Review Available

1. Routine and Administrative Changes The following types of changes are considered routine and administrative:

(a) Updating the reference to an external handbook or exhibit;

DH 1.1 NRC MANAGEMENT DIRECTIVES SYSTEM Date Approved: 08/25/2025 For the latest version of any NRC directive or handbook, see the online MD Catalog.

13 (b) Changing the names of branches, divisions, and offices when reorganizations occur; (c) Correcting obvious errors or inadvertent omissions, including incorrect cross-references, broken hyperlinks, typographical errors; and (d) Changing or adding references to NRC programs once the programs are revised or implemented.

2. Changes to Ensure Conformity with the Law or Regulations When a law or regulation has changed, the NRC is required to ensure that its directives and handbooks conform to the change.

B. Criteria for Expedited Review To be eligible for expedited review, an MD must meet the following criteria:

1. The major content of the MD must still be valid. The MD will not be eligible for expedited review if major content areas in the MD are no longer valid.

2. ADM, OIG, and OGC have the discretion to grant or deny expedited review of MDs.

C. Process

1. The originating office notifies MDMRT that the office intends to certify the MD as valid and eligible for expedited review, which may include focused changes, and confirms that the following conditions have been met:

(a) The revisions are limited and routine in nature, pursuant to MD 1.1.

(b) The originating office has confirmed that the substantive content of the MD is reasonably current.

2. MDMRT works with the originating office to identify the appropriate mechanism to address the requested change and consults with OIG and OGC to accept expedited review of the MD. If an expedited revision is appropriate, MDMRT will facilitate the approval and publication process for the revision.

VII. EFFECTIVE DATE A. Standard Effective Date

1. A new or revised MD is effective as of the date it is approved by the authorized official. See Section III, Organizational Responsibilities and Delegations of Authority, of MD 1.1.

2. An MD is normally effective for 8 calendar years from the effective date of its last full revision or certification under procedures established in MD 1.1.

DH 1.1 NRC MANAGEMENT DIRECTIVES SYSTEM Date Approved: 08/25/2025 For the latest version of any NRC directive or handbook, see the online MD Catalog.

14 B. Non-Standard Effective Date

1. When a management determination or a legal or administrative requirement necessitates the establishment of an effective date other than the approval date, the specified effective date is stated on the first page of the directive or handbook.

2. The effective period of a directive or handbook may be extended or shortened as determined by the authorized official.

3. An MD has an 8-year lifecycle and should be revised and republished within 8 years of the published MDs effective date. If the revised MD is not published within that timeframe, it is reported to the EDO as red, which indicates it did not meet its performance metric. A published MD is considered effective until the revised MD is published.

VIII. REQUIRED INCORPORATION OF POLICY CHANGES A. Review Schedule

1. Certification At least every 8 years, each MD must be reviewed and reissued or certified as still relevant. The certification date for an MD is the date that the final signature authority approves and signs Section F of NRC Form 520 certifying that its MD is still accurate and current without revision.

2. Extension There is no extension in the time for either the required office review or the required MD revision.

B. Incorporation of Policy Changes (Policy-related Yellow Announcements)

Policy-related Yellow Announcements can communicate MD changes to staff, in accordance with MD 3.16, NRC Announcement Program. Yellow Announcements serve as interim policy and guidance until the entire MD is revised and republished.

When the MD is republished, it incorporates any relevant Yellow Announcements and supersedes them.

1. Yellow Announcements must have a predetermined expiration date, not to exceed 5 years, after the issuance date. The policy change described in a Yellow Announcement will either no longer be needed and canceled or policy elements will be incorporated into an appropriate MD.

2. If the NRC has issued policy announcements that have not been incorporated into the MD yet, then the office is precluded from using the expedited certification process presented in Section IX of this handbook.

DH 1.1 NRC MANAGEMENT DIRECTIVES SYSTEM Date Approved: 08/25/2025 For the latest version of any NRC directive or handbook, see the online MD Catalog.

15 C. Compliance

1. ODs may take one of the following actions to ensure that MDs assigned to them are in compliance:

(a) Revise the MD using the standard or expedited process, described in Sections V and VI of this handbook.

(b) Certify the accuracy and currency of the MD using the expedited certification process for unrevised MDs, described in Section IX of this handbook.

2. Office compliance will be tracked through the agencywide performance measure on MD timeliness, which is reported annually.

IX. EXPEDITED CERTIFICATION PROCESS FOR UNREVISED MDS Unrevised MDs may be certified accurate and current using the following process.

A. Requirements

1. Certification requires the responsible OD to confirm to the Office of Administration (ADM) the following:

(a) All guidance in the MD is current and adequate.

(b) All interim policy documents are incorporated in the MD.

(c) All significant comments have been addressed.

2. If an office intends to certify and reissue an MD rather than revise it, the following requirements must be met.

(a) The impending certification must be announced to the reviewing offices at least 30 days in advance, including notification that failure of the reviewing offices to comment by the due date may be treated as tacit concurrence.

(b) Substantive comments from the reviewing offices are noted and addressed when a certification request is sent to ADM.

(c) Reviewing offices have provided required input, including a statement of no legal objection from OGC and a determination as to whether the MD is considered a rule under the CRA.

(d) Certification must be approved by ADM.

B. Approval of Staff Review The OD signs the NRC Form 520 to affirm that the staff review is completed and that the office elects one of the following

1. Certifies the MD is current without revision.

DH 1.1 NRC MANAGEMENT DIRECTIVES SYSTEM Date Approved: 08/25/2025 For the latest version of any NRC directive or handbook, see the online MD Catalog.

16

2. Certifies the MD is current with routine, administrative changes and may be reissued in alignment with Section VI of this handbook.

C. Denial of Expedited Certification Comments raised during the review process may indicate that the MD requires substantive revision rather than a simple certification of the MDs currency. If substantive revision may be required, ADM will discuss the revision with the responsible office.

If, based on this discussion, ADM and the responsible office determine that substantive revision is required, ADM will deny the expedited certification and return the MD to the responsible office for revision.

X. ELIMINATION OF MDS A. Request for Elimination

1. The originating office may request that an MD be eliminated. The request must be submitted on an NRC Form 520 and signed by the OD. Requests for elimination of an MD must be accompanied by a memorandum explaining the rationale for eliminating the MD.

2. While the request for MD elimination is processed, the current MD remains in effect.

3. OIG, OGC, and ADM must review the elimination proposal. If OIG, OGC, or ADM object to the elimination of the MD, then the MD may not be eliminated. However, if OIG, OGC, and ADM do not object to the elimination of the MD, then the originating office should continue the steps described below in Sections X.B.2 through X.B.7 of this handbook.

4. If comments or objections from ADM, OIG, or OGC are not resolved, then the originating office may not proceed with the MD elimination process.

B. Procedure for Eliminating MDs

1. Step One: Submit Notice of Intent to Eliminate an MD (a) The OD for the originating office must submit the following to OIG, OGC, ADM, and any other offices that would be affected by the elimination of the MD:

(i) A memorandum explaining the reasons that the MD should be eliminated as well as the effects of the MD elimination and requesting comment on the proposed elimination. This memorandum can be in the form of a comment request memorandum.

(ii) A copy of the MD proposed to be eliminated.

(b) The offices will respond as follows:

(i) OIG will review the request and may provide comment. At this time, OIG will also indicate whether it wishes to review the future signature package for this MD.

DH 1.1 NRC MANAGEMENT DIRECTIVES SYSTEM Date Approved: 08/25/2025 For the latest version of any NRC directive or handbook, see the online MD Catalog.

17 (ii) OGC will review the request and may provide comment and indicate any legal objection.

(iii) ADM and any other offices affected by the proposed MD elimination will review the request, provide comment, and either concur or not concur.

2. Step Two: Create Comment Resolution Document (a) The originating office resolves the comments received from ADM, OIG, OGC, and any other offices that would be affected by the elimination of the MD.

(b) Once all comments have been resolved, the originating office creates a comment resolution document.

(c) A comment resolution document provides the following information:

(i) The comments received, (ii) The office that submitted the comment, and (iii) The resolution of the comment.

3. Step Three: Submit MD Elimination Request to MDMRT The originating office submits the following to MDMRT:

(a) A completed NRC Form 520 signed in Section C by the OD, (b) A copy of the MD proposed to be eliminated, (c) The comment resolution document, and (d) Related background material.

4. Step Four: MDMRT Creates the Signature Package Coordinates Review and Approval (a) MDMRT coordinates review by OGC, OIG, and any other required offices and creates the signature package.

(b) Final approval of the request to eliminate an MD occurs when all approving officials/offices have agreed to the elimination and the final signature authority has signed the NRC Form 522.

(c) The authority to eliminate an MD is non-delegable; therefore, all signature packages authorizing the elimination of an MD must be signed by the Chairman, the EDO, the CFO, or the CHCO, as appropriate.

5. Step Five: MDMRT Updates Websites to Reflect MD Elimination and Sends an NRC Announcement to Staff Once Section F of the NRC Form 520 has been signed, the following actions will be taken:

DH 1.1 NRC MANAGEMENT DIRECTIVES SYSTEM Date Approved: 08/25/2025 For the latest version of any NRC directive or handbook, see the online MD Catalog.

18 (a) MDMRT will mark the title of an eliminated MD as ELIMINATED on the agencys internal and external websites.

(b) MDMRT will withdraw the eliminated MD number and will not reuse it.

(c) MDMRT will send an NRC announcement to the staff, notifying them of the elimination of the MD. If replacement guidance is available, the NRC announcement will so indicate.

XI. GLOSSARY Approval Date

1. The date that the final approving authority concurs on the document.

2. The approval date is the date that the management directive (MD becomes effective.

Certification Date

1. Typically, an MD should be revised within 8 years after its approval date. However, if an MD does not require any revisions, then the originating office may certify that the MD is still accurate and current. The date of this certification becomes the new approval date for the MD.

2. Certification must be approved by the Office of Administration (ADM).

3. The date that the final signature authority signs Section F of the NRC Form 520.

4. Additional information about the certification process can be found in Section IX, Expedited Certification Process for Unrevised MDs, of this handbook.

Comments Express concerns, provide suggestions, or indicate the need for further discussion.

Comment Resolution Document The agencys historical record of all high-level and relevant comments received by reviewers and the resolution of such comments. The primary contact person records all high-level and relevant comments as well as their resolutions on the comment resolution document.

Elimination of an MD

1. An MD may be eliminated when it has become obsolete, unnecessary, or contrary or inconsistent with current law.

2.Section I.B of this handbook establishes the threshold criteria for the elimination of an MD.

DH 1.1 NRC MANAGEMENT DIRECTIVES SYSTEM Date Approved: 08/25/2025 For the latest version of any NRC directive or handbook, see the online MD Catalog.

19 Legal Objection (OGC)

After reviewing an MD, reviewers from OGC indicate whether they have any legal objection to the MD; reviewers from OGC do not concur.

Originating Office The office that owns the content of the MD. The originating office creates or revises the MD.

Primary Contact Person The individual in the originating office who oversees the creation or revision of the MD on behalf of his or her office.

Reviewer Carefully reads and analyzes both the content and the formatting of an MD. Reviewers forward comments or objections to the primary contact person.

Revised MD An MD is revised when its content is substantively changed, and the MD is then approved by all necessary reviewers.

Routine, Administrative Changes

1. From time to time, MDs require routine, administrative changes to remain current.

For example, the names of branches, divisions, and offices must be updated when reorganizations occur.

2.Section VI.A.1 of this handbook describes routine, administrative changes in more detail.

Signature Date The date that a reviewer signs Section F of NRC Form 520, Certification of Staff Review and Request for Publication for an NRC Management Directive (MD).

Signature Package

1. Once an MD has been reviewed and the OD, or designee, has signed NRC Form 520, MDMRT creates a signature package.

2. A signature package contains the following:

(a) Most recent version of the MD, (b) Signed NRC Form 520, (c) Most recent version of the comment resolution document, and (d) Related background material.

DH 1.1 NRC MANAGEMENT DIRECTIVES SYSTEM Date Approved: 08/25/2025 For the latest version of any NRC directive or handbook, see the online MD Catalog.

20 Substantive Changes

1. Any changes that qualify in any respect for approval by the Chairman or review by the Commission.

2. Sections III.A and III.B of this directive describe the roles of the Chairman and the Commission regarding major policy issues and significant policy changes.