The IAEA works to enhance the contribution of nuclear technology to peace and prosperity around the world, while verifying that nuclear material is not diverted from peaceful use. IAEA safeguards, an important part of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime, provide for independent verification of States’ compliance with their international legal obligations. To help with this, the IAEA issues guidance through its safeguards by design (SBD) document series to assist nuclear facility designers and operators in contemplating, at an early stage of the design process, the safeguards activities relevant to nuclear facilities, including spent fuel storage facilities.
Consideration of safeguards requirements prior to embarking on the construction or modification of a facility, a concept known as SBD, is voluntary and aims to facilitate the improved implementation of existing safeguards requirements. However, if SBD is applied, safeguards inspections can be implemented more effectively and efficiently, while reducing the burden on the operator of a facility.
“The intention is for new spent fuel facilities to be built with safeguards-enabling features,” said Jeremy Whitlock, Head of the Concepts and Approaches Section at the IAEA’s Department of Safeguards. “By considering these features in the design and building of spent fuel facilities, safeguards activities can be carried out with minimal disruption to the operations of an inspected facility.”
Acknowledging safeguards early in the design and construction process facilitates open dialogue among stakeholders on facility operation, safeguards requirements and related topics. This allows for the development of verification methods that will minimize the impact of safeguards implementation on the operator, without reducing the effectiveness of the safeguards activities performed. Furthermore, these methods will improve the efficiency of safeguards by helping the IAEA carry out its verification activities in an optimal way.
From a design perspective, there is value in understanding the full range of potential safeguards activities and their impact on a spent fuel facility design before design choices are finalized.
