DOE P 450.3, Authorizing Use of the Necessary and Sufficient Process for Standards-Based Environment, Safety and Health Management

DOE P 450.3 U.S. Department of Energy POLICY Washington, D.C. 1-25-96 SUBJECT: AUTHORIZING USE OF THE NECESSARY AND SUFFICIENT PROCESS FOR STANDARDS-BASED ENVIRONMENT, SAFETY AND HEALTH MANAGEMENT DISTRIBUTION: INITIATED BY: All Departmental Elements Department Standards Committee PURPOSE This policy statement establishes the Closure Process for Necessary and Sufficient Sets of Standards (Necessary and Sufficient Process) described in DOE M 450.3-1 as one means of addressing the selection of Environment, Safety and Health (ES&H) standards. SCOPE The Necessary and Sufficient Process has been developed by the Department Standards Committee (DSC) as part of the ES&H standards program defined in the "Criteria for the Department's Standards Program" (DOE/EH/-0416). Carrying out the Necessary and Sufficient Process with fidelity and effectively implementing the results will lead to adequate protection of the workers, the public and the environment and will increase stakeholder trust and confidence. POLICY Effective immediately, all Department Elements are authorized to use the "Closure Process for Necessary and Sufficient Sets of Standards" except for defense nuclear facilities. The Department will consult with the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board on the Closure Process for Necessary and Sufficient Sets of Standards. In the interim, all Department Elements are authorized to use this process to begin planning next steps at defense nuclear facilities. Finalization of this planning may occur after the Department has had the opportunity to take into account the views and comments of the board. DOE N 450.3 provides requirements and guidance for near term use of the Necessary and Sufficient Process. The Necessary and Sufficient Process should be applied where substantial benefit - in terms of worker and public safety, environmental protection, mission accomplishment, and cost - can be realized. Use of this process is encouraged, but is not mandatory. If the Necessary and Sufficient Process is used, use of DOE M 450.3-1 is required. Line Management has the lead in ensuring that the Necessary and Sufficient Process is employed with integrity. The DSC will provide assistance to line management in this regard and will maintain the manual and related guidance. BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF ENERGY: ARCHER L. DURHAM Assistant Secretary for Human Resource and Administration