The status of Korean nuclear codes and standards

Korea Electric Power Industry Code (KEPIC), a set of integrated standards applicable to the design, construction and operation of electric power facilities including nuclear power plants, has been developed on the basis of referring to the prevailing U.S. codes and standards which had been applied to the electric power facilities in Korea. Being the developing and managing organization of KEPIC, Korea Electric Association (KEA) published its first edition in 1995, the second in 200,0 and is expected to publish the 2005 edition. KEPIC was applied to the construction of Ulchin Nuclear Units 5 and 6 in 1997, and will be applicable to the construction of forthcoming nuclear power plants in Korea. Along with the effectuation of the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) in 1995, the international trend related to codes and standards is changing rapidly. The KEA is, therefore, making its utmost efforts so as for KEPIC to keep abreast with the changing environment in international arena. KEA notified ISO/IEC Information Centre of its acceptance of the Code of Good Practice in the Agreement on TBT. The 2005 KEPIC edition will be retrofitted according to the ISO/IEC Guide 21- Adoption of International Standards as regional or national standards. KEA's efforts will help KEPIC correspond with international standards such as ISO/IEC standards, and internationally recognized standards such as ASME codes and standards. (authors)