European Methodology for Inspection Qualification
In February 1997, the European Network for Inspection Qualification (ENIQ) approved the second issue of the "European methodology for qualification of NDT", which contains general principles of how to conduct inspection qualification for non-destructive testing (NDT) in the European Union. The ENIQ methodology is in agreement with a common position document on this issue adopted by the regulatory bodies. This means that there is not only agreement between the utilities themselves on the general principles of inspection qualification, but also between the utilities and the regulatory bodies. This represents an important step forward towards the harmonization of inspection qualification in the EU. The ENIQ network consists of the nuclear plant operators of the EU countries (and Switzerland). In addition to the utilities, who provide the voting members on the ENIQ Steering Committee, there is also participation by other organizations with relevant expertise: plant manufacturers, engineering companies, service vendors and research and development institutions. The Institute for Advanced Materials (JRC-Petten) is the operating agent and reference laboratory of the network.