The euratom nuclear safeguards system

The technical means for safeguards implementation have been changing rapidly over the past few years and this trend is expected to continue. In the field of NDA instrumentation, major advances have been made in the range and applicability of available hardware. In the field of optical surveillance, advanced video units are being brought into routine use to complement the twin film camera units which have been in use for some time and major advances in seal technology have meant that a variety of sophisticated seals are being used in the field. All these advances have led to a need to rethink safeguards strategies in certain areas, the requirement to satisfy new training needs, a reorganization of the logistic support to the inspection divisions and changes in the ways in which inspections are carried out. An important change in the design and operation of nuclear installations has become evident over the past few years. This has had important implications of safeguards implementation. Installations are also becoming large and more complex with the result that safeguards strategies have had to be adapted to accommodate these new features. Perhaps the main result is a marked increase in the number devices specifically designed into installations for safeguards use