Regulations last checked for updates: May 15, 2026

Title 10 - Energy last revised: Apr 29, 2026
§ 53.400 - Design features for licensing-basis events.

(a) Design features must be provided for each commercial nuclear plant such that, when combined with corresponding human actions and programmatic controls, the plant will satisfy the safety criteria defined in §§ 53.210 and 53.220.

(b) Design features must ensure that the safety functions identified in § 53.230 are fulfilled during licensing-basis events (LBEs).

authority: Atomic Energy Act of 1954, secs. 11, 101, 103, 108, 122, 147, 161, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 189, 223, 234 (42 U.S.C. 2014,2131,2132,2133,2134,2135,2138,2152,2167,2169,2201,2231,2232,2233,2234,2235,2236,2237,2239,2273,2282; Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, secs. 201, 202, 206, 211 (42 U.S.C. 5841,5842,5846,5851; Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, sec. 306 (42 U.S.C. 10226); National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332); 44 U.S.C. 3504 note; Pub. L. 115-439, 132 Stat. 5571
source: 91 FR 15794, Mar. 30, 2026, unless otherwise noted.
cite as: 10 CFR 53.400