Development of advanced technologies such as pyroprocessing pose a challenge to the IAEA vis-a-vis safeguarding them in an effective and efficient manner. In the case of pyroprocessing, the Agency has had little-to-no previous safeguards experience with the technology (and therefore did not initially possess sufficient technical expertise), which in turn, presented several technical challenges to developing an effective safeguards approach. This paper aims to provide an understanding of the key safeguards objectives and technical challenges involved in safeguarding pyroprocessing facilities. It includes a basic primer on pyroprocessing, including the transition from item material to bulk form (e.g., material balance) and the relevant proliferation concerns during the various process phases. A description of possible approaches to accountancy, process monitoring (on-line or in-line measurement), and use of containment and surveillance systems are described, together with a discussion on the merits of process modelling for the purpose of accountancy and verification measurements. As part of the Agency's plan to enhance its technical competence, in 2007 a pyroprocessing training course was organized for the first time for Agency inspectors and analysts under a Member State Support Programme (MSSP); this training continues to date. This effort complemented the determination of a reference pyroprocessing facility concept which had been developed based on a study performed under another MSSP during 2009-2011. This reference facility will serve as a baseline pyroprocessing plant from which the Agency will be able to develop a future, generic safeguards approach for pyroprocessing facilities, based on 1) the possible proliferation pathways, 2) the most vulnerable process step(s) from a safeguards perspective, 3) indications of possible material diversions, and 4) indications of misuse of the facility for purposes other than declared.
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