Commercial Grade Dedication
A nuclear facility procuring an item that supports a nuclear safety function has two options: manufacture under a full ASME NQA-1 quality assurance program, or accept the item through a formal Commercial Grade Dedication program in accordance with NQA-1 Part II, Subpart 2.14.
What CGD is
Commercial Grade Dedication is an acceptance process that provides reasonable assurance a commercial item or service will perform its intended nuclear safety function. It is considered equivalent to an item manufactured under a full NQA-1 QA program.
CGD is not simply an inspection. It is a structured engineering, procurement, and quality process that identifies critical characteristics, determines how they will be verified, and documents the evidence needed for acceptance.
Why the rules are strict
A failure in a normal factory may stop production. In a nuclear facility, a failure can contribute to a radiation release or compromise public safety. Safety-related parts require a documented qualification path; non-safety-related parts do not.
Dufrane CGD capabilities
We perform dedication to customer design engineering specifications and technical requirements, including:
- Identification of critical characteristics for acceptance
- Definition of acceptance criteria
- Selection of appropriate acceptance methods
- Sampling plans (size and destructive / non-destructive type)
- Formal CGD plans for testing critical characteristics
- Qualified testing laboratories (ISO 17025 accredited, etc.)
- Certificates of Conformance upon successful acceptance
Standards we work to
- 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix B
- ASME NQA-1 (including Subpart 2.14)
- ISO 19443 nuclear supply-chain quality
- NRC Regulatory Guide 1.164 and EPRI NP-5652
Also at site root: Distributors in the nuclear industry · Next-generation nuclear procurement