Hadron Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: HDRN) announced that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff has issued a final safety evaluation finding the company's Quality Assurance Program Description acceptable for referencing in future licensing applications under 10 CFR Part 52.

The NRC staff concluded that Hadron Energy's quality assurance program complies with applicable regulations and industry standards. The acceptance establishes a quality framework covering the full lifecycle of the Hadron Micro-Modular Reactor, including design, manufacturing, construction, operations and decommissioning.

According to the press release, Hadron Energy is the first light-water microreactor company to receive NRC acceptance of a Quality Assurance Program Description. The acceptance does not constitute a license to construct or operate a reactor, nor does it represent NRC review or approval of the reactor design itself.

The quality assurance program applies controls proportionate to safety significance across the reactor lifecycle and commits to nuclear industry standards including ASME NQA-1-2022. The program is based on Appendix B to 10 CFR Part 50.

"The NRC staff's acceptance of our Quality Assurance Program Description is a critical milestone for Hadron Energy and the development of our Micro-Modular Reactor," said Sam Gibson, founder and chief executive officer.

With the program accepted, Hadron Energy may reference it in subsequent licensing applications under 10 CFR Part 52, including Combined License or Manufacturing License applications. The company must publish the accepted version of the topical report within three months of receiving NRC notification.

Hadron Energy is developing the Halo Micro-Modular Reactor, described as a 10-megawatt electric factory-manufactured, transportable light-water reactor designed for continuous baseload power with multi-year refueling cycles.