10 CFR §53.1251

1. (a)Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, a standard design certification issued under this subpart is valid for 40 years from the effective date of the rule.
2. (b)A standard design certification continues to be valid beyond the date of expiration in any proceeding on an application for a COL or an OL under this part that references the standard design certification and is docketed either before the date of expiration of the certification, or, if a timely application for renewal of the certification has been filed, before the Commission has determined whether to renew the certification. A design certification also continues to be valid beyond the date of expiration in any hearing held under § 53.1452 before operation begins under a COL that references the design certification.
3. (c)An applicant for a CP, OL, COL, or ML under this part may, at its own risk, reference in its application a design for which a design certification application has been docketed but not granted.