The focus of this publication is on the activities required to demonstrate the suitability of commercial off the shelf (COTS) digital instrumentation and control equipment for use in nuclear safety applications. The publication provides a detailed discussion of the typical challenges associated with the use of COTS devices, including issues associated with unique vulnerabilities and features of digital products. It outlines the strategy for digital COTS device assessment and qualification ...

The decision to establish a nuclear power program is a significant undertaking by any country. Such a decision should be based on a commitment by the government to use nuclear power safely, securely and peacefully. This commitment requires establishing a sustainable national infrastructure including robust safeguards infrastructure supporting the functions of the State system of accounting for and control of nuclear material (SSAC). The IAEA has developed the Milestones Approach to help Me...

The decision to develop a nuclear power programme is a significant undertaking by any country. In preparing the necessary nuclear power infrastructure, there are numerous activities that must be completed in a timely manner in line with the objectives of the nuclear power programme. This publication defines three milestones in the development of the infrastructure necessary for introducing nuclear power and provides guidance on the activities that need to be carried out before each milesto...

The ability of the nuclear industry to continue to operate safely, securely and reliably during special circumstances such as a pandemic is essential and depends upon the effectiveness of its preparation, response and recovery plans as well as the ability of relevant organizations to adapt and respond to unforeseen situations. The purpose of this publication is to share experience with regard to managing and regulating facilities and activities during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to assist M...

The operational useful lifetime of semiconductor electronic devices working in harsh radiation environments is limited by the structural defects induced by the exposure to ionizing radiation. This has immediate consequences for their use in high radiation environments, for example in nuclear facilities, satellites, radiotherapy, medical diagnostics, security and other industries. This publication establishes a standardized procedure to quantify the radiation hardness of semiconductor diode...

This publication explores how advanced instrumentation and control (I&C) systems and digital technologies can enhance nuclear power plant performance across critical attributes, such as availability, operational flexibility, engineering efficiency and environmental sustainability. It offers an up-to-date overview of proven practices, innovative approaches and lessons learned throughout the plant life cycle, from design and construction to operation and long-term management. Developed to su...

This Safety Guide provides recommendations on geotechnical engineering aspects that are important to the safety of nuclear installations, such as site investigation planning, evaluation of geotechnical hazards, considerations for design and analyses, monitoring of geotechnical parameters, and the application of a graded approach to geotechnical evaluations for nuclear installations other than large nuclear power plants, excluding nuclear waste disposal facilities. This publication is inten...

Within the nuclear field, a vast body of knowledge, involving scientific, technical and managerial fields, is distributed among many organizations of different types. Managing and provisioning distributed knowledge is therefore becoming one of the major challenges in federated organizational environments. This publication provides information to organizations dealing with nuclear knowledge and its management. It covers an introduction to semantic information technologies, the Worldwide Web...

This publication developed by the International Nuclear Safety Advisory Group (INSAG) supplements its advice provided in INSAG-10 underscoring application of the principle of defence in depth in nuclear safety for small modular reactors and related emerging technologies. It is intended to stimulate discussion and to promote practical action at all levels to enhance safety of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). INSAG provides recommendations on current and emerging nuclear safety issues to the I...

This publication is one of the series of IAEA publications on the environmental behaviour of naturally occurring radionuclides. It outlines uranium behaviour in different environments, as well as its transfer to, and metabolism in, humans. The publication also provides concepts, models and data required for the assessment of the impacts of uranium on non-human biota. Assessing the environmental and health effects of uranium poses specific challenges because of the combination of different ...

This publication provides an introduction to the management of research reactor spent nuclear fuel (RRSNF). Five key areas are discussed: types of RRSNF, characterization data, wet storage considerations, dry storage considerations, and lessons learned and current practices. Information on internationally accepted standards as well as information on aspects such as drying treatment and surveillance programmes are presented, as well as suggestions for further optimization of effective and s...

This Safety Guide identifies the main objectives and responsibilities of the operating organization for the recruitment, qualification and training of personnel for new and existing nuclear power plants to establish and maintain a high level of competence of personnel and to ensure safe operation of the nuclear power plant. This publication can also be used as a guide for the recruitment, training and qualification of personnel for nuclear installations other than nuclear power plants.