Organization and management of quality assurance in the operation and maintenance of spanish nuclear power plants

The implementation of the Quality Assurance programs in Spain followed the evolution of the applicable codes and standards. At the beginning they were considered as additional requirements to safeguard the safety of the plant. Later on its application revealed its importance as a management tool to obtain better results in the exploitation of the plant. Its implementation required a big effort of the Spanish industry. The start up of the plants together with the reduction of the nuclear program and the diversity of ownership has presented new difficulties to obtain suppliers willing to comply with the Quality Assurance programs requirements