Development of Ukrainian Safeguards Measurement System

Safeguards verification measurements are a significant part of the full scope safeguards implementation. Ukraine has acceded to the treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) in December 1994 and has signed a Safeguards Agreement with the IAEA according to INFCIRC/153 [1] in September 1995. The safeguards measurement system has to be built so that the Agency may verify the functioning and calibration of the instruments and other measuring and control equipment, and authenticate the calibration of instruments and equipment involved. In starting the process of creating a measurement system, Ukraine has to develop fmt the regulatory basis. The verification methods need to be developed together with instrumental support and maintenance. In parallel with the development of the verification methods, a training programme in safeguards measurements is needed for the facilities and the regulatory body staff. A team of Ukrainian specialists and specialists of the donor countries (USA, Japan, Sweden and Finland, the last one being the coordinator) is working in the development of the safeguards measurement system. The safeguards measurement system includes three levels, namely: (1) Measurements for the SSAC needs (facilities and safeguards authority - MEPNS) (2) Measurements for quality assurance purposes of the MEPNS and (3) Measurements for domestic cooperation with the state authority of standards.