Specific research programmes (Euratom) to be implemented by the Joint Research Centre - Safeguarding and management of fissile materials -, 1988-1991

Part of the Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (1987-1991) under subactivity 5.1: "Fission: Nuclear Safety".

The research in this second JRC programme on the safeguarding and management of fissile materials is carried out in cooperation with the major R&D organizations in this field both in the Community - ESARRDA (European Safety And Reliability Research and Development Association) - and the USA.

The work on control of fissile materials fulfils the Community's obligation to implement safeguards under the Euratom Treaty, the Non- Proliferation Treaty and nuclear material supply agreements with third countries. The JRC provides technical support to Directorate-General XVII at the Commission.

The PERLA (Performance and Training Laboratory) facility at Ispra plays an important role in the programme.
To develop new safeguard techniques in the field of nuclear fission, with a view to reinforcing the safety of both present and future nuclear fuel cycles, by developing and assessing the performance of nuclear materials measurement systems and containment and surveillance techniques and by integrating such safeguards through the development of management information systems.
Three areas:

- Development and performance assessment of nuclear materials measurement systems:
These cover the destructive and non-destructive determination of fissile materials' content, mainly involving fuel fabrication and reprocessing facilities;

- Development and performance assessment of containment and surveillance techniques:
These include ultrasonic scaling and identification and optical surveillance;

- Integration of safeguards techniques:
The development of safeguards and fissile materials management information systems, including data transmission in computer networks, distributed data management and decision support.
The Commission, assisted by the board of governors of the Joint Research Centre (JRC), is responsible for carrying out this programme, which is executed by the JRC's Institute for Systems Engineering at Ispra.

In cooperation with the board of governors, the Commission ensures that periodic consultation is maintained with the relevant management and coordination advisory committees or equivalent committees with a view to ensuring coordination and consistency of approach between shared-cost actions and JRC activities in the same areas.

Each year before 31 March the Commission submits a report on the implementation of the Decision governing this programme to the European Parliament and the Council. The report is accompanied by the observations of the board of governors.

The research work implemented by the JRC pursuant to this programme will be evaluated by a panel of external experts set up by the Commission after consulting the board of governors.