Development of a quality assurance program for high-level waste form production at DOE waste vitrification facilities

The U.S. DOE has developed an integrated quality assurance program for the Department's high-level nuclear waste vitrification facilities. These facilities will process high-level nuclear waste into stable canisters of glass suitable for permanent disposal in a Federal geologic repository. This paper describes the development of a quality assurance program to support the development, qualification, and production phases of these facilities. The organizational functions and relationships of the line management organizations are discussed. Quality assurance requirements are examined including the interface with the planned operator and licensee of the repository, the DOE, Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management and the licensing agency, the U.S. NRC. The mission and functions of the quality assurance program development task force are explored. (orig.)