What we do
What are Safeguards?
By definition, the safeguards system comprises an extensive set of technical measures by which the IAEA Secretariat independently verifies the correctness and the completeness of the declarations made by States about their nuclear material and activities.
Traditional Measures. One set of measures relates to the nuclear material verification activities performed at facilities or other locations where States have declared the presence of nuclear material subject to safeguards. These measures are also referred to as "traditional safeguards".
Strengthening Measures. Another set relates to the measures endorsed or encouraged by the IAEA Board since 1992 for strengthening the safeguards system. These measures fall into two categories. The first category comprises those measures to be implemented under the legal authority conferred by existing safeguards agreements. The second category comprises measures to be implemented under the complementary legal authority conferred by Additional Protocols concluded on the basis of the Model Additional Protocol. When fully implemented in a State, the strengthening measures provided by a comprehensive safeguards agreement together with an Additional Protocol will allow the Agency to draw safeguards conclusions both about the non-diversion of declared nuclear material and the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities in that State.
Integrated Safeguards. In 1998, the Agency's Department of Safeguards embarked upon a programme for the development and implementation of "integrated safeguards". The term refers to the optimum combination of all safeguards measures available to the Agency, including those from the Additional Protocol, in order to achieve maximum effectiveness and efficiency within the available resources.
Read More »
Verification Activities
Safeguards Agreements & Facilities
The IAEA has safeguards agreements in force with 145 States and with Taiwan, China, as of January 2003. More than 900 facilities around the world are under IAEA safeguards.
Read More »
Training the IAEA Inspectorate
Each year, the IAEA recruits a group of highly qualified specialists to join its experienced international team of safeguards inspectors.
Read More »
Safeguards Measures & Equipment
An array of instruments, techniques, and methods are used by safeguards inspectors for their work.
Read about safeguards equipment | Read about environmental monitoring
Safeguards & Current Events
Highly publicized verification cases, including those in Iraq and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, have focused attention on the IAEA and its safeguards role.
Read More »
The IAEA additionally verified the termination of South Africa's nuclear weapons programme, which drew international attention in the early 1990s.
Read More »
Safeguards & Disarmament Initiatives
A Tripartitite Initiative between the IAEA, United States, and Russia was launched in the late 1990s.
Read More »
Measures for Strengthening Safeguards
The latest report to the IAEA General Conference reviews progress.
Read More »
