Nuclear safeguards and security research in collaboration with JRC – RF

摘要

10 years of successful co-operation between JRC and RF in the area of training inrnsafeguards methodology and the development of accounting and monitoring systems hasrnled to improved nuclear safeguards and security, that is a non-proliferation issue (I.e. therncontrol on materials) and a response to illicit trafficking of nuclear and radioactivernmaterial.rnWhile the US DoE Safeguards support focused on the removal and physical protection ofrnweapon grade material, the EC strategy aimed at a sustainable development of arnsafeguards accountancy and control methodology with Nuclear Material (NM)rnmeasurements according to international standards and with internationally acceptedrnreference materials.rnThe EC-CIS relationship has evolved over the last 10 years from a demand-driven to arndiscussion-driven strategy in areas of mutual interest and benefit. The new programrnresponds to a slightly shifted problem, away from the classical Nuclear MaterialrnAccountancy & Control (NMAC) towards combating of illicit trafficking whilernsustaining past initiatives within an enlarged international cooperation. In particular, thernthree classical pillars in the area of NMAC will be combined into one, addressing thernidentified bottlenecks in the Soviet nuclear fuel cycle. A new second and third pillar willrnprovide support in nuclear security issues and in environmental monitoring by focusingrnon the safeguards aspects of downblending NM and respectively by addressing the fightrnagainst illicit trafficking.rnFirstly, an enhanced surveillance for the accessibility of nuclear material undermines thernchances for use of a nuclear device in terrorist attacks. Secondly, a further strengtheningrnof the Nuclear Material Accountancy and Control will increase our protection againstrnnuclear terrorist threats.rnIn that view, future projects will be oriented taking into account the new situation wherernobjectives will stick with international updated context.rnThis paper presents the results of past collaboration and gives an overview of the JRCrnexpertise which can be utilized in a new nuclear safeguards and security program.