Photo: Eric Isselée

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has started the process of implementing recommendations made by a task force set up after the post-tsunami nuclear accident in Japan, the agency announced Friday.

NRC staff are required to report by Sept. 9 on whether 11 of the task force’s 12 recommendations should be implemented.

NRC announced staff will have 18 months to consider the task force’s first recommendation, that the NRC re-structure its regulatory framework.

“The plan we’ve established will require a dedicated effort by our staff and stakeholders, and will require a continued commitment by the Commission to see that these recommendations are promptly addressed,” NRC Chairman Gregory Jaczko said.

The NRC has until Oct. 3 to produce a follow-up report prioritizing task force recommendations for implementation.

The task force released its findings July 12, nearly three months after the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.