CONTROL OF UK ACCOUNTABLE NUCLEAR MATERIALS NOT SUBJECT TO INTERNATIONAL SAFEGUARDS

United Kingdom Accountable Nuclear Materials fall into two broad categories; those controlled under International Safeguards (normally refereed to as “civil” material) and those which are regarded as “Defence” stocks these NOT being subject to International Safeguards. Accountability and Control of these Defence stocks is the responsibility of the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD). This paper is intended to demonstrate the methods, policies and documentation controls which are routinely employed by the UK MoD and the contractual conditions imposed on MoD contractors holding Defence stocks of Accountable Nuclear Materials to ensure satisfactory controls are exercised over these materials as they are held outside International Safeguards. It will also demonstrate that there is no lower degree of accountancy standards employed than those imposed by IAEA (International Atomic Energy Authority) and EURATOM for control of Internationally safeguarded materials.