The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission proposed updating its radiation protection regulations by replacing the longstanding "as low as reasonably achievable" (ALARA) principle with requirements focused on compliance with existing regulatory dose limits while keeping current public and worker exposure limits unchanged.

The proposal would adopt a more risk-informed, performance-based framework, including a graded approach to dose management, greater flexibility in evaluating radiation exposure, expanded options for managing occupational doses, and allowing caregivers of patients receiving radioactive treatments to voluntarily receive higher doses.

NRC Chairman Ho K. Nieh said the proposal aims to improve regulatory clarity rather than weaken safety standards.

The agency said the changes are intended to reduce regulatory burden and reflect current science and decades of operating experience. The NRC will accept public comments for 45 days after publication in the Federal Register.