IAEA Safeguards: Serving nuclear non-proliferation

The objective of IAEA safeguards is to deter the proliferation of nuclear weapons through the early detection of the diversion of nuclear material or the misuse of nuclear technology and by providing credible assurance to the international community that States are honouring their safeguards obligations to use nuclear material and other nuclear-related items subject to safeguards only for peaceful purposes. The number of nuclear facilities and the use of nuclear material continue to grow. With new nuclear power reactors under construction and a steady growth in the use of nuclear science and technology, the amount of material and number of facilities under IAEA safeguards is steadily increasing. In 2015, the IAEA safeguarded 1286 nuclear facilities and locations outside facilities, such as universities and industrial sites. IAEA inspectors carried out 2118 inspections in the field. This article provides an overview of the legal framework for IAEA safeguards, their implementation and the safeguards conclusions the IAEA draws.