NRC reports that current methods keep out counterfeit items

NRC reports that current methods keep out counterfeit items.
NRC reports that current methods keep out counterfeit items. | Courtesy of the NRC

A recent regulatory summary released by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) indicated that current regulations and guidance are adequate to keep fraudulent items out of the nuclear supply chain, the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) said Friday.


According to the summary, there has not been a reported case of any counterfeit or fraudulent items or components for safety-related equipment in U.S. nuclear facilities. 


“Although supply chains for other industrial sectors may be substantially affected by counterfeit, fraudulent and suspect items (CFSI) events, it is the NRC’s position that adherence to existing NRC regulations provides adequate protection of the public health and safety,” the agency said in its summary.


According to the NRC, this release is sent as a means of raising awareness of the possibility of CFSI's infiltrating the U.S. nuclear energy production industry and that addressees should be aware of their existence to ensure that they do not unknowingly use counterfeit items.


A paper was released in January of this year, and it detailed what processes are in place to address this issue. It was developed by the NEI and the Electric Power Research Institute, and according to the NRC it is able to provide comprehensive detection and prevention of CFSI interference on nuclear activity.