International co-operation for quality assurance and quality control in water reactor fuel fabrication

Abstract

The continuing expansion of the nuclear industry creates a strong demand to reinforce all activities related to operational safety of nuclear installations. These include greater consideration to the philosophy of safety, carefully weighed design concepts, improved technology, reliable equipment and structural materials, etc. One of the essential basic elements which seriously influences both the safety and economics of nuclear power is the quality of nuclear fuel fabrication. One of the most important tasks at present is, therefore, the harmonization and standardization of quality requirements related to fuel production. The IAEA, as the most representative and competent international organization in the field of nuclear science and technology, provides a forum for direct and free exchange of information and for transfer of technological knowledge to ensure that the highest level of guarantee in operational safety, as a whole, and in materials reliablity, specifically, is made available and accessible to all member states. The main directions and peculiarities of the past and future IAEA activities in quality control and quality assurance of water cooled reactor fuel fabrication are described in this paper.