Safety standard KTA 3203: Monitoring radiation embrittlement of reactor pressure vessels of light-water reactors

The paper presents a survey of the recently published German safety standard on surveillance programs for light-water reactor pressure vessels. The Kerntechnischer Ausschuss (KTA) safety standard is based on the new design of reactor pressure vessels with limited end-of-life neutron fluence and optimized steel quality. The program and the specimens required are outlined. Provisions are made for possible extension of the program in the event that the results are not as expected. Furthermore, careful program planning and documentation is required