SAFEGUARDS REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO AEC LICENSEES

Atomic Energy Commission licensees who are authorized to possess special nuclear material (SUM) are required by Commission regulation to safeguard the material in the interest of the national security. They are required to main- tain records showing receipts, transfers, and inventories of SUM and to report promptly any theft or loss of material other than normal operating losses. Additionally, they are required to submit transfer and periodic status reports to the Commission for SNK received, transferred and possessed. Those licensees authorized to possess at any one time a quantity of SNM exceeding 5,000 grams of contained U-235, U-233 or Pu, or any combination thereof, are required to establish and maintain written material control arid accounting procedures which are sufficient to enable them to account for all SNM possessed under license and are required to perform, at least annually, a physical inventory of SNM that is possessed. Applicants for a license to possess 5,000 grams or more of contained U-235, U-233 or Pu, or any combination thereof, in unsealed form are required to submit a full description of their procedures for control of and accounting for SNM. They are also required to identify the Fundamental Material Controls (FMC's) which they consider essential for assuring that SNM in their possession will be adequately safeguarded. Safeguards requirements, including the preparation of FKC's and supporting procedures for safeguarding SNM, are discussed.