Ultrasonic testing techniques can make an important contribution to reducing overall production costs in the production of high quality steels. This can be achieved by adopting new techniques based upon such methods as ALOK/1 or VISUS 2. However, these techniques must first be characterised using test blocks containing natural defects. Then by examining different steel products, their analytical capabilities will be compared and optimised for subsequent industrial application. Finally, prototypes will be developed and specifications established to provide an in-situ system of data and evaluation.