The ASME Board on Nuclear Codes and Standards (BNCS) determined in 1986 that an overall technical review of existing ASME nuclear codes and standards was needed.Decision to initiate this study was reinforced by many factors, but most importantly to capture a pool of knowledge and lessons learned from an existing generation of technical experts with codes and standards background.Project responsibility was placed with the Pressure Vessel Research Council and activity initiated in January 1988. Direction was vested in a Steering Committee which had overview of six subcommittees.