Safeguarding the nuclear fuel cycle principles of IAEA safeguards

The basic concepts of IAEA safeguards political purposes, technical objectives and main procedures - are contained in the relevant safeguards agreements. A systematic ''translation'' of the technical objectives into quantitative detection goals was achieved in 1977. Further developments based on additional practical experience took place in the meantime, leading to the adoption of inspection goals which can be attained with available methods and techniques. The analysis of hypothetical diversion strategies leads to safeguards approaches for various nuclear facility types. The inspection effort should be adequate to implement these approaches and proper manpower allocation is necessary in view of budgetary constraints. In this respect fuel cycle oriented safeguards approaches are being studied. The credibility of safeguards depends on the perception of their effectiveness by the community of States. However, safeguards effectiveness is difficult to quantify. Other indicators such as attainment of inspection goals and thoroughness of inspection activities have to be used