The application of quality management systems for the handling, loading and transport of spent nuclear fuel from German reactors to European reprocessing plants

The tasks carried out by NTL-Hanau, which has been working in the field of transport of radioactive material for more than 20 years, are described. This paper describes the QA system following ISO 9001 and IAEA Safety Series No 37 but which, for German QA requirements, has also to conform to German KTA Standard No 1401. The preparation of shipments includes, inter alia, the planning of the transport, flask utilisation, the provision of transport vehicles and the assignment of personnel. The flask handling procedures are also described, including the essential QA step of identifying fuel elements before loading. NTL-Hanau generally acts as the consignor of each shipment and this entails the provision of services such as the performance of final flask checks, completion of transport documentation and proper labelling of the package. In addition NTL-Hanau is continuously striving to improve its QA system by embracing environment protection philosophies, by minimisation of the dose uptake of staff and the directed development of the QA system towards Total Quality Management. (author)