Safeguards Techniques And Equipment

This booklet is part of a series of publications which examine developments in safeguards to ensure that individual states are meeting their IAEA obligations regarding declarations of nuclear materials. This revised edition describes the techniques and equipment used for both nuclear material accountancy and containment and surveillance measures, and for the new safeguards measure of environmental sampling. It also includes a new section on data security describing the specific features in installed equipment systems to ensure authenticity and confidentiality of information.

The 1990s saw significant developments in the global non-proliferation landscape, resulting in a new period of safeguards development. The current publication, which is the second revision and update of IAEA/NVS/1, is intended to give a full and balanced description of the safeguards techniques and equipment used for nuclear material accountancy, containment and surveillance measures, environmental sampling, and data security. New features include a section on new and novel technologies. As new verification measures continue to be developed, the material in this book will be reviewed periodically and updated versions issued.

Illicit trafficking of nuclear and other radioactive material has been an issue of concern since the first seizures in the early 1990s. By the end of 2004, IAEA member states had confirmed 540 cases with another 500 unconfirmed. This publication contains a set of technical specifications that can be used in the design testing, qualifying and purchasing of border radiation monitoring equipment, drawing on work undertaken through an IAEA co-ordinated research project as well as relevant national and international standards.

This report presents guidelines to the designers of water cooled power reactors which will minimize the impact of IAEA safeguards on plant operations and ensure efficient and effective acquisition of safeguards data to the mutual benefit of the Member State, the plant operator and the IAEA. These guidelines incorporate the IAEA's experience in establishing and carrying out safeguards at currently operating nuclear power plants, the ongoing development of safeguards techniques and the feedback of experience from plant operators and designers on the impact of IAEA safeguards on plant operation.

Provides an overview of the methods and technologies used by the IAEA inspectors in performing verification activities. The IAEA has the task of providing continuing assurance to the international community that States that have entered into safeguards agreements with the IAEA are meeting their obligations.